Sloppy Celtics top Sixers, stay perfect at home

The Boston Celtics overcame a season-high 20 turnovers and improved their home record to 9-0 by beating the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers, 125-119, on Friday, December 1 (Saturday, December 2, Manila time).

The 76ers led 116-115 with 2:28 to play, but the Celtics went on an 8-0 run that gave them a seven-point advantage with 18 seconds remaining after a layup by Payton Pritchard.

Derrick White had 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Celtics, who received 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks from Al Horford plus 20 points, 4 steals, and 2 blocks from Jaylen Brown.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum was ejected with 2.6 seconds remaining in the third quarter after he was given his second technical foul. Tatum had 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists but turned the ball over 7 times.

Patrick Beverley scored a game-high 26 points for the 76ers, who were without center Joel Embiid (illness) for the second straight game. Embiid, the 2022-2023 NBA Most Valuable Player, is averaging 32 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.

Philadelphia is winless in the three games Embiid hasn’t played in this season.

The 76ers also were without guard Tyrese Maxey (illness) and forward Nicolas Batum (finger). Maxey is the team’s 

No. 2 scorer, averaging 27 points per game. Batum injured his finger during the Sixers’ 124-114 loss to New Orleans on Wednesday.

De’Anthony Melton scored 21 points for Philadelphia before he fouled out with 5:08 to play. The 76ers received an 18-point performance from Robert Covington.

The Celtics tied a season-high with 44 points in the first quarter and led by 8 after 12 minutes. Philadelphia trailed 47-39 early in the second quarter but used a 22-7 run to take a seven-point lead with 5:06 left in the half. The 76ers had a 72-69 edge at halftime.

Boston, which has won its last 16 regular season home games, trailed 97-95 entering the fourth.

It was the third meeting between the teams this season. Philadelphia earned a 106-103 home victory on November 8, and Boston came away with a 117-107 road win on November 15. – Rappler.com