BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum’s remarkable display saw him score 35 points and grab seven rebounds as the Boston Celtics dominated the Philadelphia 76ers with a final score of 123-105 on Thursday night. This marked Tatum’s 24th game this season with over 30 points, despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Boston secured their ninth win in the last 11 games.
Payton Pritchard contributed 19 points, and Derrick White recorded 12 points after losing a tooth in the first half due to an accidental elbow. He managed to return for the third quarter to continue his performance.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 27 points, and Lonnie Walker IV added 17. Both teams were dealing with absences, with key players sidelined.
The Celtics played without Jaylen Brown (knee), Jrue Holiday (finger), Al Horford (toe), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and Sam Hauser (ankle), while the 76ers were missing Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (left groin), Eric Gordon (wrist), Kyle Lowry (hip), Tyrese Maxey (back), and Jared McCain (knee).
Key takeaways:
– Oubre carried the scoring burden for the 76ers but lacked sufficient support.
– The Celtics showcased promising performances from their young players despite recent injuries.
Key moments:
– The Celtics’ strong 97-79 lead entering the fourth quarter set the stage for a dominant final period, punctuated by a 10-0 run, including impressive plays by Neemias Queta.
Key stats:
– Tatum’s 10th technical foul of the season in the third quarter puts him at risk of a suspension, with six more technicals leading to a one-game ban.
Upcoming games:
– The 76ers will face Utah on Sunday night, while the Celtics are set to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
