BOSTON — The Celtics couldn’t make enough shots, losing a stunner to the 76ers 111-97 on Tuesday at TD Garden in Game 2. The first-round series is now tied up 1-1 after the Sixers avenged their blowout loss to the C’s in Game 1. The best-of-seven series also shifts to Philadelphia for the next two games.
The Celtics looked like they were going to blow out the Sixers again in the first quarter, going on a 13-0 run. But the Sixers responded well with their own 10-0 run to force a close game, a big difference compared to Game 1. Then Philly caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 37 points to take an eight-point lead at halftime.
The Sixers led for the entirety of the second half Tuesday in an impressive showing. The C’s cut it down to a single-possession deficit multiple times, only for the 76ers to swing back with a huge response. Tyrese Maxey’s back-to-back 3-pointers quieted the Garden crowd. The Celtics didn’t have enough buckets to overcome their inefficient offense.
The Stars: Brown Shines, Tatum Fills the Stat Sheet
Jaylen Brown had 36 points and seven rebounds to lead the Celtics. Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. V.J. Edgecombe was huge for the Sixers with 30 points and 10 rebounds, playing like it was Opening Night when he had a great NBA debut against the C’s. Maxey added 29 points and nine assists with some big buckets.
The Celtics and 76ers meet at 7 p.m. Friday for Game 3 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Here are four takeaways from Boston’s loss to Philadelphia.
1. Series Shifts: A Different Feel After Game 2
The Celtics entered the first-round series as heavy favorites over the 76ers. Their 32-point Game 1 victory looked like it was going to be a short first round against a Philadelphia squad missing Joel Embiid. But the Sixers were clearly the better team in Game 2, tying the series 1-1. The Celtics will still be favored going forward, but there’s no doubt the tenor of the series feels different following a double-digit Sixers win.
Boston still has home-court advantage, but they lost it on their own floor. Now the series shifts to Philadelphia, where the Sixers will have the crowd behind them. The Celtics are no longer in control.
2. Celtics Offense Struggles: A Cold Night from Deep
While the C’s were an efficient machine in Game 1, that was not the case Tuesday in Game 2. They shot just 39.3% from the field with multiple guys going cold. The C’s generated good looks but they weren’t able to knock them down with any consistency.
Brown had some stretches to keep the Celtics in it, but overall, it wasn’t enough as several of his teammates went cold Tuesday. Derrick White was just 3-for-12 from the field for eight points, Payton Pritchard was 2-for-8 for four points, and Sam Hauser was 2-for-8 for six points.
The Celtics were 13-for-50 (26%) from three-point range. In a game where they needed spacing and shooting, they got neither.
3. Sixers Showing Life: Positive Shooting Regression
Philadelphia was bound to make some 3-pointers following its dud in Game 1. The 76ers got positive shooting regression Tuesday, knocking down 19-for-39 (48.7%) of their 3-pointers. They went 8-for-11 on 3s in the second quarter, where they did most of their damage.
The volume was there, too, after the Sixers shied away from shooting 3s in Game 1 due to all the misses. In comparison, the C’s were just 13-for-50 (26%) on 3-pointers as they missed quality looks down the stretch.
Edgecombe was the catalyst. The rookie played with the confidence of a veteran, attacking the rim and knocking down shots from deep. Maxey provided the late-game heroics.
4. Maxey Watch: A Fourth-Quarter Takeover
Maxey struggled to start the game, but he had his fingerprints all over the Game 2 victory over the Celtics in the fourth quarter. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, including the back-to-back 3-pointers to slam the door shut on a Celtics comeback.
While Maxey struggled with his efficiency overall at 11-for-28 in Game 2, he added nine assists Tuesday. Maxey will have his moments like he did Tuesday and continue to be a thorn in the C’s side going forward.
When the Celtics cut the lead to single digits, Maxey answered. When the crowd got loud, Maxey silenced them. He is not afraid of the moment. And he is not afraid of the Celtics.
The Verdict: A Different Series Now
The Celtics are still the better team on paper. They still have home-court advantage (though they lost it in Game 2). They still have Brown and Tatum.
But the Sixers have proven they can compete. They have proven they can win in Boston. And they have proven that they will not go away quietly.
Game 3 is Friday in Philadelphia. The series is tied. The pressure is now on the Celtics to respond.
If they don’t, the 76ers will be the ones heading home with all the momentum.
One thing is certain: this is no longer the series everyone expected. And the Celtics have work to do.