The Sixer Sense
Fansided

RECAP: Boston Celtics 108, Philadelphia 76ers 97

By Christopher Kline

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 30: JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on November 30, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 30: JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on November 30, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In the second game of a back-to-back without Joel Embiid on the floor, the Philadelphia 76ers fought hard but came up short against the East’s best team in Boston.

Tonight’s loss drops the Philadelphia 76ers to 12-9, which is by all accounts a respectable record given their circumstances. Another road game against an elite team (and this time without Embiid), meant Ben Simmons got the opportunity to carry the bulk of Philly’s offensive burden.

While Simmons wasn’t at his best tonight, he did has some strong moments. He made a few big plays defensively, allowing him to get into the open court and create, while his penetration seemed to improve during the second half. It was also another good game for Dario Saric, who finally seems to be finding his groove.

The Sixers also got to see Amir Johnson take a number of hard falls while Richaun Holmes shined in the playing time he received off the bench. Johnson has had his moments this season, but looked a step slow tonight and struggled to get much of anything going his way offensively.

B. 40 mins | 15 pts | 6 reb | 7 ast | 5 stl | 0 blk | 5 TO | 6-14 FG | 0-0 3PT| 3-4 FT | 1 PF | <strong>Summary</strong>: This wasn’t Ben’s best night offensively. He hit a handful of jumpers and got going early, but ended up having a relativley quiet night overall. One putback slam in the fourth quarter, as well as some transition plays coming off his game-high five steals, meant he did have some nice moments, though. He still impacted the game across the board.. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS

A. 35 mins | 18 pts | 10 reb | 4 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 6-16 FG | 3-6 3PT| 3-6 FT | 4 PF | <strong>Summary</strong>: While not the most efficient scoring night, this was another strong performance for Saric overall. His energy on both ends was impressive, while his nice bag of tricks around the rim lead to some much-needed buckets for the Sixers. He has also become the team’s best shooter over the past few games, a troubling trend that (ideally) ends soon.. PF. Philadelphia 76ers. DARIO SARIC

33 mins | 17 pts | 3 reb | 5 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 5-15 FG | 4-6 3PT| 3-3 FT | 1 PF | <strong>Summary</strong>: This was the kind of game Redick needed. He struggled to hit shots inside the arc, but ended up drilling four of his six attempts from deep. He made some nice reads as a passer as well, while competing defensively in rotations that — without Embiid, Justin Anderson and T.J. McConnell — didn’t always favor that side of the ball.. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK. B+

C. Philadelphia 76ers. RICHAUN HOLMES. B. 20 mins | 9 pts | 7 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 4-7 FG | 1-1 3PT| 0-0 FT | 1 PF | <strong>Summary</strong>: Holmes still took a the back seat to Johnson in terms of minutes, but was clearly the better player tonight. Johnson has done enough to keep the “let’s play Holmes instead” conversations to a minimum, but struggled rather consistently tonight. Holmes, on the other hand, had a lot of nice energy plays — especially during the third quarter, in which the Sixers took the lead at one point.

D+. 32 mins | 11 pts | 5 reb | 1 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 4 TO | 4-13 FG | 3-10 3PT| 0-0 FT | 4 PF |<strong> Summary</strong>: Covington continued his shooting struggles tonight. He got up plenty of shots, but had a couple of airballs and never really found his rhythym. Regression to the mean <a href=. SF. Philadelphia 76ers. ROBERT COVINGTON

Boston, on the other hand, was spearheaded by Kyrie Irving, who put up 36 points in 33 minutes of action. Jayson Tatum showed some nice flashes as well, while Marcus Smart (!!) and Al Horford provided steady hands with eight assists and 21 points, respectively.

Playing without their best defender and leading scorer, it’s tough to expect a different outcome for the Sixers in this one. Simmons wasn’t at the top of his game in the first half, and Boston’s defense — which has slipped a bit in the past week — seemed to regain it’s identity.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

Robert Covington continued his shooting woes as well, something that will put some limitations on what the Sixers’ offense can do if those struggles continue. Philly’s next game will be on Saturday, Dec. 2, at home against the second-seeded Detroit Pistons.