Celtics vs. 76ers: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Boston Celtics (34-25) play against the Philadelphia 76ers (23-23) at Wells Fargo Center

Game Time: 7:30 PM EST on Tuesday February 15, 2022

Boston Celtics 135, Philadelphia 76ers 87 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

John Karalis @John_Karalis
BSJ Game Report: Boston Celtics 135, Philadelphia 76ers 86 – Thorough domination for 9th straight win
bostonsportsjournal.com/2022/02/16/bsj… – 12:30 AM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
48-point wins in Boston Celtics History
First 75 years: 4
Last 3 weeks: 2 pic.twitter.com/lLYU4GkpTi – 12:17 AM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Don’t look now but…
NBA – 3-POINT SHOOTING LEADERS
1. P.J. Tucker, Mia .455
2. GRANT WILLIAMS, BOS .441 – 12:10 AM Sean Highkin @highkin
At @BleacherReport: The Celtics got a vibes reset at the deadline and look very much like a contender in the already-crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture bleacherreport.com/articles/29535… – 11:45 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Celtics last 3 road games:
— 48-point win in Philly
— 35-point win in Brooklyn
— 33-point win in Orlando
They are the first team in NBA history with 30-point wins in 3 straight road games.
(Submitted by @gilbert15) pic.twitter.com/eKfI7sHXCr – 11:34 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
on to the next one.
📝 | @NJMIns – 11:24 PM Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
This just looks like a team that has figured things out. Tatum drive and kick, Horford drives the close out, Tatum relocates, Horford to Tatum, Tatum extra pass to Grant, 3-pointer. Simple basketball, but very hard to make it look this easy. pic.twitter.com/IxUphNAbYa – 11:23 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Derrick White was a team-high plus-41 in Marcus Smart’s absence. – 11:17 PM Grant Williams @Grant2Will
Vols > Cats – 11:12 PM Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
The Celtics are now favorites to win the NBA title according to @FiveThirtyEight‘s RAPTOR.
Best chance to win NBA Finals
21% – Celtics
18% – Bucks
16% – Suns
projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-nba-predi… – 11:12 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
If there was one even remotely positive thing Philly can take from this game, it’s that Paul Millsap made his debut. He and Doc Rivers discuss the debut afterwards. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/15/doc… via @SixersWire #NBA – 11:11 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Doc Rivers on the improved C’s: “You watch Boston play, and you can literally see the improvement of their ball movement. The old Boston is more isos, this Boston is driving and playing with each other. That’s what makes them so much tougher. Makes Tatum and Brown even tougher.” – 10:59 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Doc Rivers with some praise for the Celtics: “You watch Boston play, and you can literally see the improvement of their ball movement. The old Boston is more ISO. This Boston is driving and playing with each other. That’s what makes them so much tougher.” – 10:59 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
The Celtics beat the 76ers, 135-87. The margin of victory was the largest by the Celtics over Philadelphia in a rivalry that has been played 457 times.
The Celtics led by as many as 51 in a second half that featured booing from the dissatisfied home fans. basketballnews.com/breakingnews/b… – 10:49 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum on the strongest Celtic: “Me. Grant, he just weigh more. But I’m the strongest person on the team. Me and Al.” – 10:47 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Jayson Tatum: “I’m the strongest person on the team. Me and Al.”
“Grant, he just weigh more.” – 10:47 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum said that something the Celtics have all bought into was pushing pace and getting the ball up quickly. He said it helps them get into their offense much quicker. – 10:46 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Buddy Hield 3rd game with the Pacers:
36 PTS
14-20 FG
8-12 3P
That’s his 9th career game with 8+ threes. Only Steph, Dame, Harden, Klay and JR have more. pic.twitter.com/xcqje2BpQq – 10:43 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jaylen Brown: “This is one of the best defensive teams in my career. We’ve had some really good defensive units, but it feels hard to score on us. It feels really good. It feels connected.” – 10:40 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Jaylen Brown: “This is probably one of the better defensive teams in my career … It feels really good. It feels connected.” – 10:40 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
The Boston Celtics​ had no trouble extending their season-long winning streak to nine in a row with a dominant crushing of the Philadelphia 76ers​. fullcourtpress.bulletin.com/the-celtics-ri… – 10:39 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Jaylen Brown: “Over the last 10 games or so, the game has been easy.”
Brown said improved spacing has made things easier on everybody, including the playmakers. – 10:39 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jaylen Brown: “This is a game we all talked about. We wanted this one. And we came out and got the job done.” – 10:37 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jaylen Brown if he knew he was feeling it early: “Uhhh you could say that.” – 10:36 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Jaylen Brown: “This is a game that we all talked about. We wanted this one. And we came out and got the job done.” – 10:36 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Jaylen Brown: “This is a game that we all talked about like, ‘We want this one.’”
He said the Celtics want to keep their streak going through the break. And they wanted to respond after getting beaten badly by the 76ers in their last matchup. – 10:36 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Jaylen Brown: “This is a game we all talked about…We wanted this one.” – 10:35 PM Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
The Heat lost, so the Celtics are now 3.5 games out of first place in the Eastern Conference and just 1.5 games behind the third-place Cavs/Bucks. – 10:33 PM Paul Millsap @Paulmillsap4
Tough loss but grateful to get back on the court again! 🙏🏾 – 10:31 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers reserve PF Georges Niang was asked when a game gets away like this, what’s the general feeling on the bench. His response: “Oh sh-t” – 10:30 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Georges Niang on what it felt like to watch the Celtics make the shots they were making: “Oh, shit” #Sixers – 10:30 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Reporter: “When a game like this gets away from you early, what’s the general feeling on the bench?”
Georges Niang: “Oh shit.” – 10:30 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I’m assuming Marcus Smart is out tomorrow night at the Detroit Pistons. Possibly Robert Williams too.
That would leave Boston with only 11 players on the second night of a back-to-back, with travel.
You don’t want to waste a 10-day going into the ASB, but this isn’t great. – 10:27 PM Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Paul Millsap says it felt great to be on the court playing basketball again. He hasn’t played since early January #Sixers – 10:25 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
New franchise record while also holding an opponent to fewer than 90 points for the NBA-best ninth time this season 🔥👌🏾
#HumanBehindTheNumber | @TDBank_US pic.twitter.com/dkcAhcXaae – 10:21 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers vs. #Celtics final box pic.twitter.com/IXyXorsdxC – 10:21 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Just another casual 48-point win, fueled by The Jays and a dominant start from the opening tip. nba.com/celtics/gamere… – 10:17 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka on Aaron Nesmith: “It was great to see him come in early and make an impact. I thought he was good defensively and made some plays on offense.”
Udoka went on to say he complimented the Celtics reserves for coming in and playing with no letup in the fourth quarter. – 10:14 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics standing watch:
1. MIA – 3.5 GB
2. CHI – 3.5 GB
3. MIL – 2.0 GB (assuming a Bucks win)
4. CLE – 1.5 GB
5. PHI – 1.0 GB
6. BOS
7. TOR – 1.5 UP
8. BKN – 3.0 UP
9. CHA – 4.5 UP
10. ATL – 6.0 UP – 10:11 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Ime Udoka on Daniel Theis’ performance: “It was good to add another veteran piece to our group.” – 10:09 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Coach Udoka says of Marcus Smart’s injury: “Rolled his ankle pretty bad … We’ll check him out tonight and tomorrow we’ll see how he is.” – 10:08 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Udoka said Smart rolled his ankle “pretty good.” Said he will be checked out tomorrow. #Celtics #76ers – 10:06 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Doc Rivers said the Celtics’ ball movement has improved dramatically throughout the season. Said it’s night and day compared to prior matchups, and made it a lot tougher to guard Boston than before. – 10:05 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Ime Udoka on Marcus Smart – “He rolled his ankle pretty good. Didn’t look good walking out. … See how it is tomorrow.” – 10:05 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
No real update on Marcus Smart but Ime Udoka says Smart didn’t look great walking out. Says they’ll check him out tomorrow and see, but Udoka says Smart rolled it pretty bad – 10:05 PM Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
With new teammate James Harden sitting on the bench (inactive), the Sixers had their worst offensive game of the season. They made 23 shots (previous low was 33). They shot 28.8% FG (previous low was 36.7%). They lost 135-87 to the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/ybneLjPwpN – 10:02 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
LIVE Garden Report: Celtics vs 76ers Postgame Show | Powered by @betonline_ag (Use Promo Code: CLNS50 for a 50% Welcome Bonus On Your First Deposit!) twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:01 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The NBA’s clear Most Improved favorites: The Celtics.
All of them.
Maybe, just maybe, all of us idiots who said Boston SHOULD exhaust every last ounce of hope before breaking up Tatum and Brown didn’t have the worst idea.
This idiot still can’t type sometimes. – 10:00 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
final.
🪙 @Cryptocom pic.twitter.com/q1dOSE9dQ2 – 9:58 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
JB puts an exclamation point on the first half in tonight’s @JetBlue Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/xywBWdiPoc – 9:57 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Four takeaways as the #Celtics make franchise history in ninth straight victory over the 76ers masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 9:57 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Celtics’ Marcus Smart leaves game with apparent ankle injury (VIDEO) nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/15/cel… – 9:56 PM Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
The Celtics were 16-19 on New Year’s Eve
Their point differential since then is plus infinity – 9:55 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
The player grades following a complete ass kicking at the hands of the Celtics at home #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/player-g… via @SixersWire #NBA – 9:55 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
The Sixers lose to Boston, 135-87. Not going to try to put any perspective on it because that is an insane amount of points, lol. – 9:54 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Final: Celtics 135, 76ers 87. – 9:54 PM StatMuse @statmuse
The Celtics beat the Sixers by 48 points tonight, tied for the 2nd largest road win in franchise history.
Boston has the 2nd best defense in the NBA and have been 1st since Christmas. pic.twitter.com/XhCOjkiEMB – 9:54 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
The #Celtics win 135-87 – 9:54 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics beat 76ers 135-87 for their ninth straight win in their most dominant performance of the season against a good team. – 9:54 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Business as usual
WWWWWWWWW pic.twitter.com/OtyOTABep6 – 9:54 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: Here’s how #Sixers’ superstars James Harden and Joel Embiid expect to work and excel together: https://t.co/bFldJewvUZ pic.twitter.com/QEChNd4Ot3 – 9:52 PM John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
tonight’s text messages are a good reminder that I’ve always hated my Boston friends – 9:51 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Poor Paul Millsap. Dude just wanted his chance to play, but not like this. – 9:50 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Not only are the Celtics helping themselves in the standings tonight, both the Heat and Bucks are in tight games in the second half. – 9:49 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Derrick White was +41 in 28 minutes tonight off the bench. pic.twitter.com/KqVrBznYSQ – 9:48 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
HAUS3R pic.twitter.com/J8o8WTUWP7 – 9:46 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
The Celtics are now 24 for 42 from 3-point range. And Aaron Nesmith has established a new career high with 18 points in 20 minutes so far. – 9:46 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Single-game franchise record-tying 24 three-pointers for the Celtics tonight.
Brown – 5
Tatum – 4
Grant – 4
Hauser – 3
Nesmith – 3
Horford – 2
Smart – 1
Theis – 1
Pritchard – 1 – 9:46 PM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Harden watching this Sixers game from Dreamz in Houston must be concerned – 9:45 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics up 50 – 9:44 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I said it before, but even if the opponents aren’t stellar, the Celtics are destroying some of these teams. Both during this nine-game win streak and since the calendar flipped to 2022. – 9:43 PM Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
The Celtics really beat the snot out of teams these days – 9:42 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
No one really hates the see the All-Star break and some time off coming, but I’m not so sure the Boston Celtics really want to stop playing right now. – 9:38 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
The refs need to step in in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/K7rKzeNIcF – 9:38 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
It looks like Joel Embiid will finish with 19 points on the night. This will end a streak of 23 straight games with at least 25 points for the big fella. #Sixers – 9:38 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Celtics should play with someone from the crowd, let them fire the wide-open 3 they are generating every possession. – 9:36 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Not in Theis’ house 🚫 pic.twitter.com/Xgn2DQcNQd – 9:34 PM Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
If the Celtics are going to play like this, they really need to sign Gino to one of those open roster spots… pic.twitter.com/EpGkAIBM9z – 9:30 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
A triple for Paul Millsap for his 1st bucket #Sixers – 9:28 PM Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
James Harden has no idea how he got traded to Brooklyn in the first place. pic.twitter.com/YH3eK9jBFX – 9:27 PM Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
harden is probably sick of tuesdays watching the celtics. pic.twitter.com/cuOO2w226L – 9:26 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Paul Millsap did, indeed, get into tonight’s game – just with the 76ers losing by 43 points after 3 quarters. – 9:25 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 101-58 after three
Brown – 29/8/3
Tatum – 28/12/6
Grant – 12 points
White – 11 points
Celtics – 53.9% shooting
Celtics – 18-34 threes
Celtics – 4 turnovers
Embiid – 19/9/6
Maxey – 11 points
76ers – 27.8% shooting
76ers – 4-24 threes
76ers – 7 turnovers – 9:25 PM The Ringer @ringernba
*checks the score of Celtics-Sixers* pic.twitter.com/4NsZGlU9s7 – 9:25 PM Brad Townsend @townbrad
From everything I can gather, Boston 101, Philly 58 after 3 quarters is not a misprint. – 9:24 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Derrick White is +41 after three quarters. – 9:24 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Sneaky development in this game: Daniel Theis looks like 2019-20 Theis which would be a very big deal for team’s depth. – 9:24 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lead #76ers 101-58 after 3Q. One of better performances of the season Only blemish is Marcus Smart’s injury. Brown 29, Tatum 28, GWilliams 12, White 11. – 9:23 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Clearest sign the Celtics have turned the corner on the season is they’re up by an unfathomable amount and you’re actually not wondering if they’re gonna blow it anymore. – 9:23 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Paul Millsap to check into the game at the start of the fourth – 9:23 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Foot on the gas pedal pic.twitter.com/EZcEZhcoYy – 9:23 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
You know the Celtics are Hausing their opponent when Sam checks in. – 9:22 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Looks like we’ll get fourth quarter Millsap minutes, which is about the only piece of intrigue left – 9:22 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Who wants some Luke Kornet fourth quarter minutes? – 9:22 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
That’s a 45-point peak lead for the Celtics. The subs aren’t far behind. – 9:22 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Paul Millsap is about to make his Sixers debut.
(And get his first NBA minutes of 2022). – 9:21 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
With the Sixers down 45 points late in the third, Paul Millsap is about to make his debut. – 9:21 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Sam Hauser about to check in for #Celtics – 9:21 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Paul Millsap will make his Philly debut #Sixers – 9:21 PM Greg Dickerson @gregdickerson13
Thank you to the @Boston Celtics for allowing me to focus my full attention on the Pc nova second half – 9:21 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Celtics fans still working through earlier season PTSD trying to accept their team is up 45 pic.twitter.com/gLgRD2zeoy – 9:20 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are back ahead of the 76ers, 57-56, with 1:23 left in the third quarter. This is the real game now. – 9:20 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
It is now Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown 57, Philadelphia 56 with 1:23 to go in the third quarter of this game. – 9:19 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I thought acquiring Daniel Theis was going to help the Celtics, but I didn’t think he’d help them THIS much. – 9:19 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics up 45 late in the third and it’s time to pull the starters. – 9:19 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Tatum is doing hoodrat things – 9:19 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics up 40 – 9:18 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Harden on 76ers fans: “These fans are the best fans in NBA… A lot of fanbases say that, but ride or die, probably the best fans in the NBA and I’m just happy they’re on my side and I’m not getting booed as the opposing team. I’m excited man.” basketballnews.com/stories/james-… – 9:17 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Sixers -57.2 per 48 with Harden on their bench this season. – 9:15 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Jaylen Brown with a last-ditch effort to put Boston back in the tax – 9:14 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Yes this was a pass pic.twitter.com/SwV1blrPtd – 9:13 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
With the way this is going we might actually get to see Paul Millsap at point. – 9:13 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Even a zone defense can’t stop the Celtics tonight. – 9:13 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Two triples, eight rebounds and some really good defense from Al Horford tonight. He has to be enjoying that quite a bit. – 9:12 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Ben Simmons on issues in PHI: “It piled up, a bunch of things, over the years where I knew I wasn’t myself, and I had to get back to that place of being myself and being happy as a person and taking care of my well-being. That was the major thing for me.” basketballnews.com/stories/lest-w… – 9:12 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
i’m terrible at math but solid chance boston has the best defense in the nba tomorrow – 9:11 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
It’s the middle of the third quarter in Philly. Every 76ers player not named Joel Embiid has combined for 29 points, which is exactly what Jaylen Brown has scored by himself so far.
Celts up 37. – 9:09 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
It’s good to see Matisse Thybulle firing away on these open triples. That’s gonna be important for this team, but at some point, he’s gotta hit these shots consistently. He needs to start knocking down open 3’s. #Sixers – 9:08 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
The Sixers worst home loss of the season is the 22 point defeat to the Jazz back in early December. They’re down by 37 to the Celtics with 7:22 left in the 3rd quarter. – 9:05 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
16-6 start to the 3rd for the Celtics and they are up 37. – 9:05 PM Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
Harden has a look on his face right now that says “I just signed on to fix THIS!!!” – 9:05 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Celtics 85 – 48 Sixers pic.twitter.com/vSi8KDqccO – 9:04 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Soooo Celtics have a really good chance of entering the All-Star break riding a 10-game winning streak. – 9:04 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
This kind of night for Boston so far…. one errant pass ends up being a Marcus Smart breakaway and now a Jaylen Brown lost dribble goes to Derrick White for an and-1. – 9:02 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics up 35 on the #76ers – 9:02 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Jaylen Brown so hot tonight, he shoots the technical free throw. #Celtics lead up to 35. – 9:01 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The ball movement when the Celtics drive-and-kick is so good. Guys are making the extra pass and trusting each other too. – 8:59 PM Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Marcus Smart is out for the rest of the game #Celtics – 8:59 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Marcus Smart is out the rest of the game with a right ankle sprain. #Celtics – 8:58 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Derrick White starts the third quarter for Marcus Smart (ankle), who will not return. – 8:58 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
As expected, Derrick White starts the second half in place of Marcus Smart.
Presumably, this will mean increased minutes for Payton Pritchard in the second half too. – 8:57 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
one practice with James Harden later pic.twitter.com/wBWuBfgzte – 8:57 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics start the 3Q in a zone – 8:57 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Derrick White starts the 3Q in place of Smart. #Celtics #76ers – 8:56 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers vs. #Celtics halftime box pic.twitter.com/Zs4wnmNPUJ – 8:54 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Sixth time in the last three weeks the Celtics have built a lead this big.
Second straight week they’ve done it in a TNT game on the road. pic.twitter.com/CicGniT2P4 – 8:52 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
In Philly tonight: Joel Embiid attempted 14 free-throws in the 1st half. How many games this season has Nikola Jokic attempted 14 free-throws in? One. – 8:50 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
MOST FREE THROWS VS. BOSTON 2021-22
12 – EMBIID VS. PHILADELPHIA – DEC. 20, 2021
11 – EMBIID @ PHILADELPHIA – FEB. 15, 2022*
10 – YOUNG, ANTETOKOUNMPO, NURKIC, BALL
* Halftime
6th time this year it’s happened.
Celtics are 1-4 in the first 5.
They lead tonight…
…by 27. – 8:48 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
In the first half of the season, the 10-0 Philly run might have sent the Celtics into a spiral where they fell apart going into the half.
Tonight, they punched back with a run of their own to push the lead to 27 at the break.
It’s a different team now. – 8:45 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Very latest on Marcus Smart’s ankle injury from @SouichiTerada masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 8:45 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Jaylen. Brown. pic.twitter.com/LPY2vql9gg – 8:45 PM Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Exasperated referee in Celtics-76ers: “No more complaining! Both sides!”
Yeah, just for the hell of it, what would your second unrealistic never-gonna-happen wish be? – 8:43 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 69-42 at the half
Brown – 26 points, 6 rebounds
Tatum – 16/7/3
Smart – 7 points, OUT w/ sprained ankle
Celtics – 56.4% shooting
Celtics – 12-19 threes
Celtics – 4 turnovers
Embiid – 17/7/5, 11-14 FTs
76ers – 34.3% shooting
76ers – 4-15 threes
76ers – 7 turnovers – 8:43 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
teammates. pic.twitter.com/exbo3UTa0m – 8:43 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Good news for #Celtics is it’s Smart’s ankle and not the calf injury that cost him 18 games last season. Likely to sit out WED against #Pistons and rehab for the next week during AS Break. – 8:43 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Halftime in Philly
Brown: 26 PTS (5-5 3P), 6 REB
Tatum: 16 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST pic.twitter.com/bIzzceILLS – 8:42 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Major answer by the Celtics after the Philly run. They took the punch and answered with a 9-0 run to push the lead to 27 at the half. They outscored Philly 32-22 in the 1st and 37-20 in the 2nd. Jaylen Brown has 26. Tatum has 16, which means it’s the Jays 42-Philly 42 – 8:42 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Marcus Smart is now out for the game with a sprained right ankle. – 8:42 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Jaylen Brown with a big grin after hitting an off-balance 3 to end the half. #Celtics up 69-42 at the break. Attn: @trenni 😉 – 8:41 PM Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
The James Harden step back is harder to get away with for a 7-footer lol – 8:41 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Philadelphia goes into the half down by 27. Joel Embiid has 17, 7, and 5 and is 11/14 from the free throw line. The Celtics are a ridiculous 12/19 from deep compared to 4/15 for Philly. #Sixers – 8:41 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics end half on a 9-0 run, lead #76ers 69-42. Smart OUT with a sprained right ankle. Brown 26, Tatum 16; Embiid 17. – 8:41 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Jaylen Brown finishes the game with 26 points and 6 rebounds…no wait I’m told it’s just halftime. – 8:41 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
The refs just called Joel Embiid for traveling when he tried to do (it wasn’t pretty) the James Harden step-back…🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/iizXwGZl7u – 8:41 PM Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
At this rate, Harden is going to ask out again before the 4th quarter… – 8:40 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
at the half.
🪙@Cryptocom pic.twitter.com/406p3RRLgv – 8:40 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Celtics lead 69-42 at the half – 8:40 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Jaylen Brown had 26 first-half points. Jayson Tatum had 16. Together, they are tied with the entire 76ers roster at halftime. – 8:40 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Joel Embiid really just tried to do the Harden stepback and it went just about as horribly as it could have lol. – 8:40 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Did Joel Embiid just try the Harden step back triple? Lmao – 8:39 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Joel Embiid tried The Harden move.
He traveled. – 8:39 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Philly is all kinds of out of sorts tonight. Celtics defense has them rushing a lot of their actions. – 8:39 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Marcus Smart sprained his right ankle and will not return tonight, per the Celtics. – 8:37 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
The Celtics say Marcus Smart is out with a right ankle sprain. – 8:37 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
#NEBHInjuryReport Marcus Smart (right ankle sprain) will not return. – 8:37 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics say Marcus Smart is out for the game with a right ankle sprain. – 8:37 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Marcus Smart is officially out for the rest of the game with his right ankle injury – 8:37 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Marcus Smart is OUT for the rest of the game with a right ankle sprain, per the Celtics. – 8:36 PM Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Celtics say Marcus Smart has a right ankle sprain and is OUT for remainder of game. – 8:36 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
14 free throw attempts for Joel Embiid in the first half. – 8:36 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Embiid about to attempt his 14th FT of the first half. #Celtics #76ers – 8:36 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
10-2 Philly run since Smart went out. Celtics look disorganized right now… a little bit frantic. Need to settle down now and run some offense to get a good look. They got a little caught up in answering Philly, a little too reliant on 3 pointers – 8:35 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers are on a 10-run and close the gap to 17 points (58-41) w/ 2:26 left in half. #Celtics call timeout. – 8:34 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
James Harden just took the court to cheer for his new teammates after forcing a Boston timeout.
Waited to hype them up individually as they got back to the bench.
Sixers have some ground to cover tonight – but it was just so cool to see. – 8:34 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Next game I want @Rich Hoffman to rock the James Harden Magneto outfit. – 8:33 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
With Nesmith and Horford out there at shooters, the #Celtics offense is going to suffer. Timeout BOS as PHL on a 10-0 run. BOS 58, PHL 41. – 8:33 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid trying to will them back into this one late in the half. The poster dunk, great block on Tatum, some free throws, slowly chipping away. Crowd is definitely back into it, too. – 8:33 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Again 👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/336z32PBsV – 8:33 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid goes on a little bit of a flurry and Philly has cut the lead to 58-41. The defensive intensity has picked up a bit for Philly as well. Big fella is up to 16, 7, and 5. #Sixers – 8:33 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Sloppy close to the half for the Celtics here. 10-0 Sixers run. Good timeout by Ime Udoka. – 8:33 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Grant Williams, starting in place of Rob Williams, gets whistled for his third foul with 3:33 to go in the 2nd quarter. Aaron Nesmith checks in to replace him. – 8:31 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
big fella coming through. pic.twitter.com/bK93uhu7vY – 8:31 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Embiid is really holding and flexing his right wrist a lot. Hurt it the other day and said he wasn’t sure how it happened. – 8:30 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Marcus Smart hurting big-time. Unclear if he will be back in the second half. pic.twitter.com/nJEhSkXCOM – 8:29 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Marcus Smart headed back to the locker room after staying on the court for his free throws. He walked off by himself, but trying to put very little weight on his right leg. 😬 – 8:29 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
That was a frustration slam for Embiid. – 8:29 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid just made a spin move through Boston’s entire defense, followed by an absolute poster dunk, look like he was out there by himself. – 8:29 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Smart takes his free throws (missing both) and heading to the locker room. He took the FT’s so he could come back later if he’s okay. Might be a moot point considering how much pain he’s clearly in. Derrick White becomes especially important now – 8:29 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Just especially awful timing for that injury. Marcus Smart had been playing the best ball of his career for the past few weeks. – 8:27 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Watching it again, Smart rolled his right ankle as he went up against Embiid.
He’s going to take the free throws, then Boston will give a foul and get him out.
If Smart didn’t shoot the free throws, he’d be out for the rest of the game. – 8:27 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Smart misses both and now will leave the game. It’s his right leg. #Celtics – 8:27 PM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Marcus Smart being helped off, not putting any pressure on that right leg. Didn’t look good. – 8:27 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Marcus Smart was helped back to the bench by his teammates, not putting weight on one of his legs, looks like he’s going to shoot the free throws here so he can potentially come back in after he presumably gets looked at – 8:26 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Smart calls for help to get up. Appeared to twist his right foot under Embiid’s step. – 8:26 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Looks like Marcus Smart turned his ankle on that drive. He was in a lot of pain after the foul call – 8:26 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Marcus Smart is being helped off the floor by his teammates after that last drive. I couldn’t see what happened, but he’s not putting much weight on his right leg. They’re now looking at him on the bench. – 8:26 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Smart is being carried to the locker room and putting no pressure on the left leg. He’s done for the game because he won’t be able to shoot FTs. #Celtics #76ers – 8:26 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Marcus Smart appears to be in serious pain after drawing a foul on Joel Embiid. He just smacked the court. Jaylen Brown then gestured over for the medical staff to help, and now Smart is being helped off the court. – 8:26 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Marcus Smart just went down with what looked like a non-contact leg injury. He’s putting no weight on his right leg. – 8:25 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Smart is down and hurt. It’s his left leg. #Celtics – 8:25 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
2021-22 BOSTON CELTICS
25 point leads: 13
25 point deficits: 3 – 8:24 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
After forcing his way out of the #Nets, the pressure is on James Harden to deliver ring for #76ers now. #NBA nypost.com/2022/02/15/76e… via @nypostsports – 8:24 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#76ers lose the challenge. FTs for Jaylen – 8:23 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Challenge unsuccessful…foul upheld free throws for Jaylen Brown. – 8:23 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Joel Embiid’s first made basket comes with less than six minutes to play in the first half. He has nine points, but the Celtics have made him earn most of them from the free-throw line. – 8:21 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid scores his first made basket on 14-footer to pull the #Sixers within 23 points (54-31) w/ 5:47 left in half. – 8:21 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Derrick White catching it and making a decision is so huge. He doesn’t hold and survey. And he doesn’t pound the dribble for 20 seconds of the shot-clock either. – 8:20 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
🔥 JB heat check 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UnNI4mFoNr – 8:18 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid has 7 points while making 7 of 8 free throws. He’s shooting 0-4 from the field. – 8:18 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
One of those nights. Celtics 10-13 from three. – 8:18 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
On the one hand, the Celtics are having an insane shooting half. On the other hand, they’re smoking the Sixers in every facet anyway.
East playoffs are gonna be brutal. – 8:17 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Celtics shooting 76.9% (10-13) from three and lead 52-28 w/ 6:39 left in half. – 8:17 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Water will find its level with the Celtics three-point shooting, but this defense is very, very legit. – 8:16 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The Celtics are absolutely demolishing the Sixers so far tonight. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have outscored Philadelphia by themselves (31-28). Boston is out to a 52-28 lead midway through the second quarter. – 8:16 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
9-0 Celtics run and C’s are up 24. Wowza – 8:16 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Jaylen Brown walks into a triple and that triggers a Doc Rivers timeout. The Celtics are 10/13 from deep and they have a 52-28 lead with 6:39 to go in the 2nd quarter. #Sixers – 8:15 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Aaron Nesmith drains (actually, rattled in) a 3-ball. #ThisdayinCelticsHistory – 8:15 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics are now up 24. Timeout #76ers – 8:15 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Horford back in with Embiid back in. Udoka might be trying to match minutes here, assuming Horford can stay out of foul trouble. – 8:14 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Without Embiid on the floor, there is no fear of a shot blocker and the Celtics are getting everything at the rim. (A) that’s smart and (B) it’s great that they’re not just relying on 3’s even though they’re hot from deep – 8:11 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Tatum + Celtics bench unit just torching the 76ers bench right now. – 8:10 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Boos at Wells Fargo Center for the #76ers – 8:10 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Georges Niang is the most underrated signing from this past offseason. He can really play. Such a big upgrade over the Sixers backups forwards the last couple of years. – 8:10 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Jayson Tatum has been defended by a smaller player pretty much, every possession in the second quarter. And he’s doing what you’re supposed to do when that happens AND Joel Embiid is on the bench… get downhill and attack the paint. C’s lead up by 19 now. – 8:09 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Pritchard holding his own against Harris on these switches is huge for the Celtics defense. – 8:09 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
10-0 Celtics run – 8:08 PM Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Tatum doing whatever he wants – 8:08 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
This situation is a pretty good example of why the Celtics wanted Theis back. He has soaked up big minutes with Robert Williams out and Horford in foul trouble and the defense hasn’t skipped a beat. – 8:06 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Ime Udoka told me pregame the plan was for Daniel Theis to play about 15-20 minutes tonight. He’s at 8 minutes after the first quarter. So…
#foultrouble – 8:06 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
That’s an outstanding pass from White to Tatum with the smaller defender pinned under the rim. – 8:06 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Tatum has been terrific on both ends so far. – 8:06 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers vs. #Celtics first-quarter box pic.twitter.com/7Ims50oklz – 8:06 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Aaron Nesmith minutes to open Q2. Ime Udoka going a little deeper into the bench with Robert Williams out and Al Horford in early foul trouble. – 8:06 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Aaron Nesmith sighting to start the second quarter. – 8:05 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 32-22 after one
Brown – 11 points, 5 rebounds
Smart – 7 points
Grant – 6 points
Tatum – 5/3/2
Celtics – 55.5% shooting
Celtics – 6-9 three-pointers
Celtics – 3 turnovers
Embiid – 7/4/4
76ers – 31.6% shooting
76ers – 3-8 three-pointers
76ers – 2 turnovers – 8:04 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Pretty close to a flawless offensive first quarter for Celtics. 55 percent shooting, seven free throws, just two turnovers. – 8:03 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
time to get rolling.
🪙@Cryptocom pic.twitter.com/d76BuHjJwg – 8:02 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lead #76ers 32-22 after 1Q. Brown 11, GWilliams 6, Tatum 5; Embiid 7. – 8:02 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
the name’s Paul…BBall Paul. pic.twitter.com/kHNcK54zju – 8:02 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Might not hurt to give Korkmaz some stickum in the huddle here, see if that works. – 8:02 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Celtics 32, Sixers 22 at the end of the first. Sixers shot just 6-of-19 from the floor and trailed by as many as 12. Embiid with 7-4-4. Brown already has 11 and 5 for Boston. – 8:02 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
End of 1⃣ pic.twitter.com/zh6rdWjzHL – 8:01 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
That was a great shot by Jayson Tatum to put Boston up 32-22, but with Joel Embiid on the bench resting, why not attack the rim? #justsaying – 8:00 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
This first quarter has put on display the really interesting matchups in a potential playoff series between these teams. The 76ers will really struggle to stop Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics will have the same issues stopping Joel Embiid. – 7:59 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Eight first quarter free throws for Joel Embiid. His season-high in a game is 21. – 7:58 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Joel Embiid is already 7-8 from the free throw line. He might get 50 tonight just at the line – 7:57 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Paul Reed will be the backup 5 again as he gets set to check in despite Paul Millsap being available #Sixers – 7:57 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Embiid attempting his 8th free throw in the first 9:22. It could be a long night for the #Celtics
#76ers – 7:57 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid is 0/2 from the floor, but he’s 7/8 from the line. Daniel Theis is having a rough time with Embiid again. #Sixers – 7:57 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid is 0-for-2 from the floor but is 6-of-7 from the FT line and already has four rebounds and four assists with 2:38 to play in the first. – 7:56 PM Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Rajon Rondo — a DNP-lots of minutes in Indiana the night before Philadelphia — checks into the game late in the first quarter to run the second unit alongside Caris LeVert. – 7:55 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
James Harden’s contribution to tonight’s game… pic.twitter.com/WxxLgyEy4K – 7:54 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I think the place Joel Embiid has improved the most is with reading double-teams and making the right pass. He used to be a mess when a double came. He would get rid of it too early or turn it over. Now, he’s patient and picks out the right guy more often than not. – 7:51 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Welcome back @Daniel Theis! pic.twitter.com/HPjWgoUsk4 – 7:51 PM Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
At some point, doubling Embiid is just giving up 3-pointers as opposed to post-ups. – 7:51 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
🎶 go little rockstar 🎶 pic.twitter.com/DbLcpzGGzs – 7:50 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Too easy pic.twitter.com/sxZYEpF2c7 – 7:49 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Welcome back Daniel Theis! – 7:49 PM Brad Botkin @bradbotkincbs
Theis only looks right in a Celtics uniform – 7:48 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
A Theis 3. #Celtics – 7:48 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Joel Embiid draws a foul from the #Celtics triple team and Ime Udoka is livid at the call. Don’t blame him. Every one of the Celtics defenders was straight up. – 7:47 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Tatum swooping in for the block…or was it a goal tend? pic.twitter.com/Amb5vVxzrx – 7:46 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Theis tried the “Theis Seal” for Brown, but apparently the Celtics forgot how to use it. – 7:45 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
2nd foul on Horford really hurts. Why isn’t Embiid posting up to exploit this? – 7:44 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
With no Robert Williams today, Daniel Theis makes his return to the Celtics here midway through the first quarter in place of Al Horford. – 7:43 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Hey Daniel Theis, welcome back. Your first game in your second tour of duty with the Celtics? Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/BoKS1sKB20 – 7:43 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Theis check in less than four minutes into the game. #Celtics #76ers – 7:43 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Daniel Theis checks in for the first time (again) replacing Al Horford. #Celtics up 11-4 with about 9 minutes to go in the 1st quarter. – 7:42 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
What angers players the most is when officials wait until the shot either goes in or misses to make a call. That’s what just happened with Horford on that call against Embiid and Horford was pissed. #Celtics #76ers – 7:42 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Robert Williams out. Daniel Theis hasn’t played in a month. And Al Horford just picked up his second foul with 8:45 left in the first. Here comes Theis for his first action since the Celtics picked him up again. – 7:42 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
JT finds Grant in the corner 💦 pic.twitter.com/igd8bxEHaH – 7:39 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
First quarter Jaylen is on fire… 8 points on 3-3 shooting and Boston opens on an 11-2 run – 7:39 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Jaylen Brown shot 10 for 33 over the two most recent games combined. He already has eight points on 3-for-3 shooting over the first three minutes here. – 7:38 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Eight early points for Jaylen Brown. He’s been on the attack from the tip in this one. – 7:38 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jaylen off to a strong start with 8 points as the #Celtics off to an 11-2 start. #76ers – 7:38 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
Boos rain down from the crowd here in Philly when Al Horford was announced and any time his name is mentioned. Why so mad?!? – 7:38 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers point guard James Harden was the bell ringer pic.twitter.com/tcLPtoxofB – 7:37 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Really impressive start for the Celtics, who immediately jump out to a 7-2 lead. Obviously some key pieces are missing (James Harden and Robert Williams) but this could be a pretty interesting potential first round matchup given the specific strengths and weaknesses on both sides – 7:36 PM Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Tonight’s Bell Ringer…. James Harden #Sixers pic.twitter.com/nifTA10QRm – 7:35 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
our three stars.
pic.twitter.com/25ZcOOskUv – 7:33 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
for the first time, your bell ringer…
Philadelphia 76er…JAMES HARDEN!! pic.twitter.com/6dZR5kvfyW – 7:33 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden is your bell ringer tonight #Sixers pic.twitter.com/jCOildfcBS – 7:32 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics starters tonight:
Al Horford
Grant Williams
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart
76ers starters:
Joel Embiid
Tobias Harris
Matisse Thybulle
Danny Green
Tyrese Maxey – 7:32 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: James Harden says coming to Philadelphia “made sense,” and that by joining the 76ers, he realized that, “I needed to be around guys that I know want to win, and know that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:31 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Sixers bell ringer tonight: James Harden pic.twitter.com/5xj6sVHeQU – 7:30 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Tonight’s bell ringer in Philadelphia: James Harden. – 7:28 PM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW @TheCrossover Pod w/@Howard Beck: Happy Simmons/Harden press conference day! Unpacking — and interpreting — the first public comments from Ben Simmons and James Harden with their new teams. Links: bit.ly/2w1G5e2 – 7:24 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
first pregame dunk: pic.twitter.com/nHAgHLAEGG – 7:23 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
new vet on the block. 🤩
📱@SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/0OcXxNGd06 – 7:11 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Celtics at Sixers – Wells Fargo Center – February 15, 2022 – Starting Lineups
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, G. Williams, Horford
Philadelphia – Tyrese Maxey, Danny Green, Matisse Thybulle, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid
OUT: Boston: R. Williams Philadelphia: James Harden pic.twitter.com/hiYR692CTk – 7:02 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Regular starters tonight:
Tyrese Maxey
Danny Green
Matisse Thybulle
Tobias Harris
Joel Embiid #Sixers – 7:01 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
tonight’s starting five:
• @Matisse Thybulle
• @Tobias Harris
• @Joel Embiid
• @Danny Green
• @Tyrese Maxey
🏀@RothmanOrtho pic.twitter.com/j6nMWLbn1C – 7:00 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Starting lineup pic.twitter.com/vNcCwJ6ewv – 6:59 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Derrick White discusses his transition into our offense, and what it’s been like experiencing his first NBA trade. pic.twitter.com/rISEnQpyBu – 6:57 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
James Harden: Kyrie Irving’s part-time status ‘definitely’ impacted #Nets nypost.com/2022/02/15/jam… via @nypostsports teammate @PeterBotte – 6:49 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ben Simmons thrilled to join #Nets after ‘dark times’ in Philadelphia nypost.com/2022/02/15/ben… via @nypostsports teammate @PeterBotte – 6:48 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden did give an update on his hamstring injury as well as his conditioning as he begins to get ready to make his debut for the team after the break #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/15/six… via @SixersWire – 6:42 PM Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports
James Harden’s ex-Nets teammates didn’t waste any time in showing how they truly feel about him.
#NBA #Nets
sportscasting.com/james-harden-e… – 6:40 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Derrick White, son of a huge Boston fans, getting shots up before his first Celtics-Sixers game tonight here in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/OrtXNNEJez – 6:31 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers column: James Harden on how it’ll work with fellow #76ers star Joel Embiid: ‘We’re both at a high level to where we’ll figure it out. I think we complement each other’ https://t.co/bFldJeO7jz #NBA pic.twitter.com/eb54LkUKXy – 6:30 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Looking to take care of business on the #JetBlueRunway pic.twitter.com/idTQf64Ubf – 6:27 PM Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
“Not going to say it’s not a factor that the game was in Cleveland, but there’s no doubt he deserves to be recognized”
Spoke with Adam Silver earlier this morning about choosing #Cavs Jarrett Allen as James Harden’s injury replacement for #NBAAllStar
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/02/n… – 6:27 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
New Sixer Paul Millsap getting warmed up ahead of tonight’s game against Boston. Doc Rivers said Millsap will likely get some minutes at some point tonight pic.twitter.com/XFvoGV1jNE – 6:23 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
these fits! pic.twitter.com/0lUAKcydlW – 6:22 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
#NEBHInjuryReport update:
Marcus Smart – AVAILABLE
Robert Williams (right calf tightness) – OUT – 6:19 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Here’s a look at new big man Paul Millsap warming up tonight #Sixers pic.twitter.com/tkMnA2sBrD – 6:15 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics depth chart tonight:
Ballhandlers – M. Smart, D. White, P. Pritchard
Wings – J. Tatum, J. Brown, A. Nesmith, S. Hauser, B. Thomas
Bigs – A. Horford, G. Williams, D. Theis, L. Kornet – 6:12 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Ime Udoka just mentioned James Harden will be able to spoonfeed Joel Embiid and the idea of being able to spoonfeed the most dominant interior scorer in the league seems a little scary – 6:11 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
who is rockin’ these on the court?
👟 @SoleSavy – 6:11 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Grant Williams will start in Timelord’s place. – 6:10 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Grant Williams will start tonight in place of Rob. – 6:10 PM Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
TNT’s Charles Barkley on James Harden: ‘Be careful what you ask for’ houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 6:10 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Grant Williams will start in Robert Williams’s spot tonight. – 6:10 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Grant Williams replaces Robert Williams in the starting lineup along with regular starters Smart, Tatum, Brown, Horford – 6:10 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Celtics coach Ime Udoka acknowledges that the James Harden-Joel Embiid duo is gonna be a formidable one when Harden gets on the floor #Sixers – 6:10 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The Celtics say Marcus Smart is available and Robert Williams (calf tightness) is out tonight against the Sixers. James Harden (hamstring) won’t play for Philadelphia. – 6:08 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
Coach Udoka says the plan is to keep Daniel Theis in the 15-20 minute range tonight. – 6:06 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka said that Grant Williams will see more minutes and that Daniel Theis “will play more than he would have” with Robert Williams out.
Udoka said that the team hopes to keep Theis in the 15-20 minute range, as they build him back up from not playing. B2B also a concerns. – 6:06 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Celtics post player Robert Williams (right calf tightness) will miss tonight’s game vs. the #Sixers – 6:04 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Robert Williams is OUT tonight vs. #76ers. #Celtics. – 6:04 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Marcus Smart is available tonight.
Robert Williams is out tonight due to calf tightness. – 6:04 PM Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Marcus Smart is available; Robert Williams is out with tightness in calf. – 6:04 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Per Ime Udoka, Robert Williams III is out and Marcus Smart is available tonight. They were both questionable heading into this matchup for the Celtics. – 6:04 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Rob Williams (calf tightness) out tonight in Philadelphia. – 6:04 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
James Harden on Nets-76ers trade: NBA stars can mostly control own destiny nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/15/jam… – 6:01 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Doc Rivers on the @Philadelphia 76ers’ short window of time to acclimate to one another:
“Everyone’s motivated.”
He added that James Harden asked to put in extra work with the second and third units, in order to mesh with his team better and faster, after shootaround. – 5:57 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Sixers coach Doc Rivers said Paul Millsap should get into the game tonight. Millsap, who came with James Harden in the blockbuster deal last week, will play backup center behind Joel Embiid. Philly traded their previous backup, Andre Drummond, to Brooklyn in the deal. – 5:57 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Doc Rivers says James Harden asked to get some extra reps in with the second and even third unit guys after shootaround today in an effort to try to acclimate as quick as possible – 5:56 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Tobias Harris is a guy who’s very important to Philadelphia’s plan. James Harden discusses how he fits next to the veteran forward. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/15/jam… via @SixersWire – 5:54 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Doc Rivers says the Sixers will probably throw Paul Millsap into tonight’s game. Unsure how they’ll go about using him. – 5:52 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden hinted that the #Sixers being a permanent destination after playing for 3 teams in 14 months inquirer.com/sixers/james-h… via @phillyinquirer – 5:51 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Doc Rivers says they’ll probably play Paul Millsap at some point tonight. – 5:51 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
New @FrontOfficeShow is up! @Trevor_Lane and I talk about how the buyout market is starting to develop, James Harden’s player option, some signings and conversions around the NBA and more! Watch, like and subscribe below. NBA content five days a week!
youtu.be/Kn6ZdmwwzOo – 5:39 PM Tas Melas @TasMelas
NBA prop plays for tonight:
1) Anthony Edwards: over 24.5 PTS vs Hornets
2) Tyrese Maxey: over 16.5 PTS vs Celtics
3) Trae Young: over 27.5 PTS vs Cavs (via @MBeller) – 5:29 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
NBA championship tiers: Suns, Warriors, Bucks are the favorites; 76ers on deck after James Harden trade
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-c… – 5:29 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
James Harden, 1/15/21 in BK. Were Nets his top choice?
“Yeah they were on the top of my list, but there were a few teams involved as well. It coulda got crazy.”
Today:
“Originally, when I was going through everything I was going through in Houston, Philly was my first choice.” – 5:26 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
On Cleaning the Glass, Nikola Jokić is in the 100th percentile for non-shooting fouls drawn among bigs at 4.8% (non-shooting foul / total shot attempts). Joel Embiid is 99th percentile at 4.4%.
For shooting fouls?
Embiid: 96th percentile at 22.2%
Jokić: 54th percentile at 12.7% – 5:24 PM Boston Celtics @celtics
While talking about his childhood, @cedricmaxwell81 opened up to Darien about the segregation he faced first-hand in public spaces. pic.twitter.com/ywvdnyTN4U – 5:15 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
This is the 14th time in the last 30 years the Celtics have won eight straight, but most of them (the 19-gamer in 2008-09, the 16-gamer in 2017-18) have come very early in the season.
Wins tonight and tomorrow would equal the Celtics’ longest 2nd half win streak in decades. pic.twitter.com/yFCAVv8lAS – 5:04 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
This is the third straight game the Celtics have seen one of the NBA’s leading scorers on the other side (Nikola Jokic Friday, Trae Young Sunday, Joel Embiid tonight.)
Jayson Tatum briefly took the league lead two weeks ago, but DeMar DeRozan making a mockery of it in February. pic.twitter.com/ihjb3KB7JU – 5:01 PM John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Oh shit Part I of a home and home reunion. Honored to make my ⁦@spinstersbw⁩ debut and talk Harden/Simmons and Sixers/Nets with my friend ⁦@HaleyOSomething⁩
Part II tomorrow on the new episode of Sports Illustrated Weekly podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spi… – 4:53 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New Mismatch with @Chris Vernon on the latest Harden drama, Josh Giddey’s upside, Boston as a Finals sleeper, and much more. open.spotify.com/episode/0Wnu0P… – 4:41 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Part of why the Nets can leak all of this stuff about Harden out the door is he has no agent. He has no one retaliating on his behalf.
The Lakers can’t leak anti-player sentiment because their players are all repped by Rich goddamn Paul. He has the power to ruin your franchise. – 4:38 PM Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Doing some @WIPEvenings tonight, after two wild press conferences!
@howardeskin will jump on Harden-Embiid wagon, & praise Sixers ownership throughout the first hour. – 4:36 PM The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
James Harden and Ben Simmons in their new threads 👀
(📸: @Philadelphia 76ers, @Brooklyn Nets) pic.twitter.com/nz5CmItGV6 – 4:36 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
🗣 “I’m turnt.” – @James Harden
Listen to James & @PaulMillsap4’s first one-on-one interviews as 76ers! – 4:30 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
My final thoughts on Ben Simmons is centered on his happiness. It’s clear that he didn’t want to be in Philadelphia and it is what it is. Fans can be upset for the playoff failures and everything that has transpired since Game 7, but he mentally just wasn’t happy. Now, he is. – 4:06 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
James Harden says 76ers, not Nets, were his top choice following Houston exit: ‘This was a perfect fit’
cbssports.com/nba/news/james… – 4:01 PM The Ringer @ringernba
🏀 Will drama ever stop following James Harden?
🏀 How good can Josh Giddey be?
🏀 DeMar DeRozan’s historic streak
🏀 All-Star Game predictions
#TheMismatch with @Chris Vernon and @Kevin O’Connor: open.spotify.com/episode/0Wnu0P… – 4:01 PM Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Lowe Post podcast: @Howard Beck and I unpack the SImmons-Harden fallout, what’s next for both teams, Kyrie’s future, much more — plus early thoughts on new-look Pelicans and Kings:
Apple: apple.co/3Bnu8g0
Spotify: spoti.fi/3gOA4Fs – 3:52 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden reacts to joining the team and his excitement to play with Joel Embiid #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/15/jam… via @SixersWire – 3:27 PM Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
officially official. pic.twitter.com/FLtdeiaEWM – 3:27 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: Here’s how #Sixers’ superstar players James Harden and Joel Embiid plan to work and excel together: https://t.co/84tAcYkdY0 #76ers pic.twitter.com/jSLpJhiso6 – 3:18 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
The Locked On Celtics YouTube channel is about 50 subscribers away from 4,000. Go ahead and subscribe to get early podcast drops before they go out on the audio feed and participate in live chats:
youtube.com/c/lockedoncelt… – 2:45 PM Chad Ford @chadfordinsider
Rookie and Sophomore Trade Deadline Losers
Tyrese Maxey
“When Harden and Maxey play together, Philly will be taking away the things Maxey does best and asking him to do more of what he struggles at.”
https://t.co/L8TMV1YSis pic.twitter.com/irqGDytrzI – 2:45 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Are You In Love with This Celtics Team Yet? | A List Podcast w/ @A. Sherrod Blakely, @Gary Washburn & @KwaniALunis | Powered by @betonline_ag (USE Code CLNS50) twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 2:30 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
James Harden was pretty clear in his Tuesday presser — the Sixers have a shot to win right now, and he intends to do what it takes to make that happen phillyvoice.com/sixers-james-h… – 2:16 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
Group shot with James Harden and other #Sixers notables after press conference pic.twitter.com/1fk5260SxK – 1:51 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
Ben Simmons says he has since spoken to:
Elton Brand, Josh Harris, (they called him).
Spoke to Doc Rivers.
Tobias Harris, and a couple other players.
They were all happy for him. Overall they supported him well enough through this.
Did he speak with Joel?
“No I did not.” – 1:41 PM Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Ben Simmons says his mental health struggles began well before the 76ers’ season ended and he didn’t feel he could overcome them in Philadelphia.
He’s not sure when he’ll start playing for the Nets but hopes it’s in time to play in Philly on March 10.
apnews.com/article/philad… – 1:34 PM