Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, left, and Joel Embiid react after a basket throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Matt Slocum)
PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers did what they might to shed themselves of the dangerous vibes that lingered over the franchise within the wake of an appalling NBA postseason exit.
They employed a brand new coach. They traded a malcontent.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are decided to indicate the new-look 76ers received’t endure the same-old postseason destiny.
Embiid had 27 factors and 10 rebounds and Maxey had 25 factors and 9 assists to guide the Philadelphia 76ers to their sixth straight win, 106-103 over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night time.
The 76ers are the one 6-1 workforce within the Jap Convention and their lone loss got here on opening night time.
They’re 5-0 at dwelling.
“New coach, new techniques, bunch of latest guys, simply making an attempt to get everyone on top of things,” Embiid stated. “Let’s see what we will do.”
Kristaps Porzingis led the Celtics with 29 factors and Derrick White, again after lacking two video games for the beginning of his baby, had 19.
The Sixers had been amped for the primary recreation between the long-time rivals since their Jap Convention semifinal matchup final season.
The Sixers’ star duo leads Philly over the Celtics in a battle between two of the elite groups within the East!
Embiid: 27 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 4 BLK
Maxey: 25 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/uLWbI66yEX— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2023
The 76ers blew a 3-2 collection lead and collapsed in Sport 6 and seven losses that ushered in a summer season of upheaval. Coach Doc Rivers was fired and changed by Nick Nurse. James Harden quickly demanded a commerce and by no means once more performed for the Sixers.
The Celtics didn’t stand pat after arising a recreation brief final season of constructing back-to-back journeys to the NBA Finals. They acquired the 7-footer Porzingis and five-time all-defensive choice Jrue Vacation.
Throw in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in Milwaukee and the 76ers didn’t get pegged within the preseason as a severe contender within the East.
Possibly it’s time to rethink.
“Boston acquired rather a lot higher,” Embiid stated. “They appeared like they’re one of the best workforce within the NBA, by far. Good for them. Milwaukee, too, Clearly, including Dame is large. He’s wonderful. That mixture of Dame and Giannis, fairly good. Unstoppable.”
For a second in Philly, the echoes of Sport 6 appeared too acquainted.
Jayson Tatum’s 3-pointer pulled the Celtics to 94-87 and flashed reminders of the decisive ones he hit late in Sport 6 — he buried one 3 for an 84-83 lead and a second that made it 87-83 — for the playoff win in Philly.
His shot on Wednesday began one other Boston comeback. Tatum hit one other bucket that pulled the Celtics inside 4 with 61 seconds left however Embiid answered with a fadeaway. Jaylen Brown hit a step-back 3 that made it 106-103.
Porzingis missed a 3 within the last seconds and the Celtics misplaced their second straight recreation.
“It was a very good look,” he stated. “As I went into the shot, I sort of went into it because it was a mid-range shot. I jumped a bit increased. I often don’t do this for 3s. I simply shot it dangerous.”
Tatum completed with 16 factors and 15 rebounds. The Celtics had been 15 of 47 from 3-point vary.
Tobias Harris scored 17 for the Sixers.
Amid the latest roster modifications, the one fixed for the Sixers is Embiid. The reigning MVP scored 13 factors within the third quarter. His quarter virtually appeared quiet in comparison with the 29 factors he scored on 10 of 10 taking pictures within the third on Monday towards Washington.
He buried a 3 from effectively past the highest of the arc for a 72-68 lead that despatched the gang right into a frenzy. Porzingis missed a dunk and Robert Covington — one in every of a handful position gamers acquired within the Harden deal — got here proper down and hit a 3. Embiid raised his arms, exhorting the gang to get louder, because the 76ers closed the quarter up 81-71.
“Any time you’re enjoying towards an important workforce, like Maxey and Embiid, in the event you’re down 10, you’re down 15 to 18 due to their skill to make photographs,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla stated.
Each groups had been an Jap Convention-best 5-1 coming in and the Sixers talked overtly about utilizing this recreation as an early-season measuring stick. They handed this one.
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Celtics: Host Brooklyn on Friday in an In-Season Event recreation.
76ers: Play Friday at Detroit in an In-Season Event recreation.
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