Celtics
Celtics bench outscores Sixers starters, outlasts Philadelphia in OT
Boston beat Philadelphia 125-120 in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Celtics' reserves scoring 77 points to push the game past regulation after it was tied 115-115. It's a preseason game, so no standings impact, but Boston has now beaten Philadelphia twice this fall, following a 144-106 win on October 10.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 3 d ago01The story of the nightFourth quarter and overtime decide itPhiladelphia led after one (28-24) and after three (94-84 margin flipped to Boston by then, with the 76ers up 94…
Philadelphia led after one (28-24) and after three (94-84 margin flipped to Boston by then, with the 76ers up 94 after three on the scoreboard tally). Boston's 31-21 fourth quarter tied the score at 115-115 and forced overtime, where the Celtics outscored the 76ers 10-5. Boston had 16 lead changes and never led by more than 8, while Philadelphia's biggest lead was 14. The extra period was where the game actually turned, with Boston finishing the stronger of the two teams down the stretch.
02Hugo Gonzalez and Embiid lead their teamsHugo Gonzalez led all scorers off Boston's bench with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three.
Hugo Gonzalez led all scorers off Boston's bench with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three. Ron Harper Jr. added 16 points in 34.5 minutes with a plus-18, and Milos Uzan scored 14. For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid led with 27 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 11-of-13 from the line, with Tyrese Maxey adding 22 and Jaylen Brown 20.
03Won on the bench, lost at the free-throw line and in the paintBoston's bench outscored Philadelphia's reserves 77-36, the single biggest gap in the box score.
Boston's bench outscored Philadelphia's reserves 77-36, the single biggest gap in the box score. But Philadelphia controlled the paint (52-44) and the free-throw line (31-of-41 to Boston's 20-of-26), and scored more points off turnovers, 27 to 22, despite committing three fewer turnovers (18 to Boston's 21). Philadelphia also won fast-break points 25-18. Boston's volume from three (17-of-54) outweighed those edges enough to force overtime and win it there.
04What it means for BostonThis is Boston's second win over Philadelphia this preseason, following a 144-106 result on October 10.
This is Boston's second win over Philadelphia this preseason, following a 144-106 result on October 10. The Celtics leaned heavily on their bench, which outscored Philadelphia's reserves by 41 points, with Hugo Gonzalez, Ron Harper Jr., Milos Uzan, Luka Garza and Jordan Walsh all contributing. Both teams are 0-0 since preseason results don't count toward the standings, but the depth scoring is a notable thread for Boston heading into the regular season.
05What it means for PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia got 27 points from Embiid and 22 from Maxey but still lost at home, falling to 0-0 in the only record…
Philadelphia got 27 points from Embiid and 22 from Maxey but still lost at home, falling to 0-0 in the only record that matters once the regular season starts. The 76ers were outscored 77-36 on the bench and gave up the game in the fourth quarter and overtime after leading for three quarters. Philadelphia did win the paint and free-throw battles, 52-44 and 31-of-41 to 20-of-26, which will be a point of emphasis as they look to close games better.
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