Celtics can't catch up after lackluster start, lose to 76ers 111-99
The Celtics win streaks ends at 3. Unfortunately, Boston didn't come to play straight out of the gate tonight and could never catch up to the 76ers. This game was very disappointing because the team had given us hope the past 3 wins. Sure, the Knicks and the Pacers were missing their backcourts for those games, but "a win is a win." They counted. But tonight's game against Joel Embiid and a much better team meant more. Expectations were high. And then the 1st quarter happened.
Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum struggled with their shots tonight. Payton Pritchard did have a solid 17 points on only 10 shots. Aaron Nesmith was dusted off and had points and Time Lord finished with another double double.
Embiid led Philly with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists as the 76ers won their 8th game in their last 9. Former NBA champion Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has managed to keep his team only 3 wins shy of the Eastern Conference's top spot, despite Ben Simmons not playing all season.
With the loss, Boston falls back to 11 place in the conference with a sub .500 record of 20-21. The Celtics now turn around and begin a four game home stand starting with the 1st place Chicago Bulls tomorrow at the TD Garden.
Pritchard said he never had any symptoms from COVID. He actually flew to Indiana right before the game there.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 15, 2022
"So that was a little different," he said. "I ain't used to that."
Said the people who live below him probably weren't very happy because of how much he was dribbling.
Udoka: “I gotta do a better job of getting our guys ready to play against a tough opponent, a rival. They were obviously coming off a loss and played a little harder than we did. It’s on me.” #Celtics #76ers
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) January 15, 2022