On Wednesday night in Philadelphia, the Boston Celtics seized the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 117-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Noteworthy about this triumph in the heated rivalry was the absence of Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.
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Al Horford, stepping into the starting lineup, showcased his best performance of the season, contributing 14 points, hitting 4/8 three-pointers, securing eight rebounds, blocking a game-high five shots, and effectively defending against Joel Embiid, who managed only 12 points in the second half. Derrick White shone with 27 points, 14 of which came in the final quarter, along with five assists, three rebounds, and a steal.
Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 29 points, complemented by eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Following the victory, the four-time All-Star emphasized the team’s culture and next-man-up mentality, stating, “We don’t make excuses, we just try to find ways to win.” Now boasting a 9-2 record, the Celtics head north to face the Toronto Raptors on Friday, aiming to extend their four-game winning streak.
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