BOSTON, MASS. – Another chapter took place in this historic rivalry as the seventh seed Philadelphia 76ers traveled to Boston to face off against the two seed Celtics.
The Celtics hadn’t played in a week since their regular season finale win against the Magic. Philadelphia got the seventh seed due to their win in the play-in also against Orlando.
Boston has won their sixth straight playoff series against the 76ers dating back to 1985 when the streak started. The same dominance would continue early.
Sam Hauser and Tyrese Maxey would make their teams first field goals with a three pointer each. Neemias Queta had a major slam over Kelly Oubre Jr. that had the Celtics bench on their feet. Maxey and Jayson Tatum would exchange buckets on one another as Boston led midway through the first 17-9. Oubre would drive baseline and rise up for a hammer slam on Nikola Vucevic. Boston led after the first quarter 33-18. Jaylen Brown would put the moves on Paul George drawing “oos” and “ahhs” from the crowd and made the tough floater. A Tatum three gave Boston their largest lead of the game at that point at 23. V.J. Edgecombe had 9 points in the second quarter. Philadelphia was down 64-46 at halftime.
Philly and Boston would go back and forth early in the third. An Oubre Jr. tip-in would cut the lead to 15 but that is as close as they would get. The Celtics had a 24 point lead entering the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth both teams would empty out their benches. Boston fans were chanting “We want Boston” as a mimic to Sixers fans who chanted that after defeating the Magic. The Celtics would win 123-91.
The two J’s led the way for the Celtics, Tatum had 25 and Brown had 26 points. Maxey led the way for the 76ers with 21 points. The Sixers shot 39 percent from the field and 17 percent from three.
Game Two will be this Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
