The tank is back on: Sixers beat Celtics for the third time this season, 113-108

For the third time this season, the Sixers beat the Celtics. Philly won 113-108, led by Michael Carter-Williams (21 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists) and Tony Wroten (20 points), just the Sixers fourth win in their last 39 games (three of those four vs Boston).

The Celtics were led by Kelly Olynyk (28 points, 9 boards), Jeff Green (27 points), Avery Bradley (23) and Rajon Rondo (8 points, 14 assists, 11rebounds).

The first half was a lay-up line for Philadelphia, as the Celtics somehow allowed 67 points to a Sixers team that includes such legends as Elliot Williams, Henry Sims, and Casper Ware. It was ugly, but at least it was high scoring, giving the couple hundred fans in attendance something entertaining to watch as the Sixers and Celtics worked on finishing up their lost seasons.

The second half saw the Celtics cut into the lead led by Olynyk, Bradley and Chris Johnson, but it wasn't quite enough. The Sixers made just enough plays to close things out down the stretch, and improved to 3-1 vs the Celtics this season.

A silver lining (besides the loss) was Olynyk yet again. His ability to protect the paint leaves a lot to be desired (in other words hopefully he never has to do it again it's that bad), but he continues to develop offensively. He continues to show more and more as a playmaker, taking his defender off the dribble more in the last five games than he did in the first 75. His shooting percentages have also shot up of late, with KO shooting 53% from the field and 46% from three over the last 22 games (overall Olynyk is averaging 12.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG in just 22 minutes over the last 22 games). The Celtics badly need a rim protecting big, but the Sullinger-Olynyk combination is not a bad one to have around as the rebuild continues.

The loss drops the Celtics to 25-56, temporarily moving them a half-game ahead of the Lakers, and a half-game behind the Jazz in the tank standings (ahead meaning ahead in the tank rank, not the actual standings. It's kind of confusing). LA and Utah are just underway in their monster tank game out West, something we'll have our eye on.

And now we turn our attention to Wednesday, as the Celtics close the season out at home against the Wizards. Thank god it's almost over, this tanking thing is draining.

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