NBA – Joel Embiid struggles as Boston Celtics beat Philadelphia 76ers 116-95

Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics bumped into each other for the fourth time this season. The Sixers won the previous three games, and so had a golden opportunity to do a series sweep over the Greens for the first time since 2001. There were more encouraging signs for the visitors at TD Garden at tip-off as Celtics’ leading man Kemba walker missed the match with an injury.

But the Greens blew away the Sixers right from the off. The hunger, the precision in passing and movement, and the tenacity showed by the home team in defence, the 17-time champions were too good and too hot to handle throughout the night and were a deserved 116-95 winner on the night.

But the Sixers played a part in their own downfall, especially superstar Joel Embiid, who endured a torrid night in every sense. He conceded four of the seven turnovers Philadelphia conceded in the first half, with the Celtics scoring 10 points off those freebies. The 3-time NBA All-Star clocked only 23 minutes at TD Garden, scoring only 11 points.

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— Jonathan Tannenwald (@jtannenwald) February 2, 2020

The only positive to take from this game for the Sixers was Ben Simmons, who had a team-high 23 points, 5 assists and nine rebounds. Furkan Korkmazz impressed from the bench again and ended with 14 points and 4 boards.

For Celtics, Jaylen Brown led the charge with a game-high 32 points and nine rebounds, while Jayson Tatum scored 25 points, four assists and three rebounds.

It was Celtics’ 3rd win on the bounce and 20th in 25 home games. They are 33-15 on the seaosn and sit 3rd in the Eastern Conference power rankings. Brad Stevens will now prepare for an away tilt at Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, before facing Orlando Magic and Hawks again in the subsequent home games.

The Sixers, meanwhile, are now on a two-game skid and remained 6th in the East. The next two games are immense for Joel Embiid and Co. as they face Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks on the road.