BOSTON (AP) — Joel Embiid emerged from a pregame fall to score 27 points with nine rebounds, making 4 of 5 from 3-point range and sinking a pair of free throws with 3 seconds left to cap Boston’s final rally back turn and take charge. The Philadelphia 76ers recorded a 118-114 victory on Wednesday.
Tyrese Maxey had 33 points and 12 assists. He scored 13 in the fourth quarter, including a quick trigger layup to open a seven-point lead with about a minute left after the Sixers inbounded the ball with 1.1 seconds on the shot clock. Caleb Martin scored 23 and hit 7 of 9 from three-point range.
Jayson Tatum scored 32 with 15 rebounds for Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Derrick White had 21. Boston wore red socks and leggings with their green sweaters for an extra dose of Christmas cheer.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed all but nine games this season due to injuries, did not return for the second half. The team said he had an ankle injury.
Takeaways
76ers: If Embiid stays healthy, maybe the Sixers can finally topple them in the Eastern Conference.
Celtics: Lost twice in a row for the first time this season.
Key moment
Embiid fell and grabbed his ankle during pre-game warmups, but started and played 31 minutes wearing a black mask to protect his sinus fracture. He limped to the free-throw line after being fouled on a drive to the basket with two minutes remaining and Philadelphia leading 108–105.
He made both free throws and sank two more with three seconds left after the Celtics cut a nine-point lead to 116-114 in the final minute.
Key stat
The Celtics trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, 52-36, their largest home deficit this season.
Next
The Sixers visit Utah on Saturday in the second game of a six-game road trip.
Boston hosts Indiana on Friday and Sunday.
