BOSTON- The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-99 at the TD Garden on Tuesday night. Jaylen Brown led the team in scoring with 31 points, along with 6 rebounds, and a field goal percentage of 79. Jayson Tatum recorded 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were the other two players to score in double figures with 23 and 13 respectively. Derrick White continued his great defensive season, recording two steals and blocking three shots. The team shot 53 percent from the field.
No Threes, No Problem
Despite going just 5 of 22 from three-point range, the Boston Celtics pulled this one out handily. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both only hit one three-pointer but it was not an issue as the team was scoring very well from closer in. Tatum and Brown are averaging 3.0 and 2.0 made threes per game this season so it seems like the Jays are straying away from shooting past the arc this season. It’s great that they’re not living by the three and dying by the three.
Kristaps Porzingis Elevates This Team
Kristaps Porzingis has joined the 50/40/90 club this month:
23.0 PPG
6.4 RPG
2.1 BPG
55/42/90% shooting splits ? pic.twitter.com/34Dcr7Dxif— CelticsForum (@CelticsForum0) February 28, 2024
Center Kristaps Porzingis has been an awesome addition to this team. He recorded a double-double last night with 23 points and 12 rebounds. This is Porzingis’ third double-double in his last ten games. He also has scored 20 points or more in six of the last eight games. The former Wizard has become a very solid third-scoring option and has helped propel Boston to the best record in the NBA currently. The Boston Celtics are one of only 3 teams to have three players averaging 20+ points this season. The other two are the Grizzlies and the Heat. The Celtics don’t just have the best record, they have it by a pretty comfortable margin of 7.5 games over the second-place Cavaliers.
The Boston Celtics Own The 76ers
76ers are officially 56-156 in Boston all time. Below .500????it was never a rivalry pic.twitter.com/uAPyMVXSnO
— Celtics Corner (@CelticsCorner_) February 28, 2024
The Boston Celtics have had no problem trouncing the 76ers recently, flaunting a 3-1 record against them this season and last. They defeated them in the conference semifinals last season as well. Boston has just had Philadelphia’s number. The Process doesn’t work when playing against the green.
The Key For The Boston Celtics Going Forward
What is gonna be crucial for the Boston Celtics is to keep their foot on the gas pedal. When the team gets complacent and isn’t playing as hard, that’s when the losses happen. Their problem in the past, especially in the playoffs is staying consistent and solid. They are finding some consistency by winning nine in a row and have won 15 of their last 17 games.
However, it’s a long season and a lot can happen in these last 24 games. The Celtics are definitely a championship-caliber team but it’s just a matter of playing like it, especially in the big games. The team needs to work on finishing close games and playing in overtime games as they are 2-3 in overtime this season. In games decided by three points or less, they are 5-8. If the Celtics keep playing the way they have been recently, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics next game is Friday at home against the 33-25 Dallas Mavericks.
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Cooper Sherman is an avid NFL fan and enjoys watching and covering it the most. The NFL is king. He previously wrote and was a podcaster for the online publications Pro Sports Fanatics and Jersey Column. He is also an NBA fan and watches it occasionally, more when the NFL season ends. His teams are the Patriots and Celtics, as tough as it is to be a Patriots fan right now. He is optimistic that Jerod Mayo will turn this team in the right direction! Follow him on Instagram and Threads @coopstershermy456, and X/Twitter @justcoopthings.
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