Overtime is needed as the Boston Celtics outlast the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day.
The highly competitive, back and forth game began with Boston taking an early lead behind Kyrie Irving’s 16 first quarter points as Boston led 32-25 at the end of the quarter.
The game remained back and forth throughout the second quarter with Boston growing their lead to double digits before having it return to a possession game. The teams went into the locker rooms with Boston holding a 57-51 lead.
Jimmy Butler came out firing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter as an early fast break began Butler on his own seven point run that culminated in him scoring 13 in the quarter. Philadelphia led 89-86 entering the fourth.
The fourth quarter was a playoff-type battle, with the teams trading baskets the entire way. A late Wilson Chandler three gave Philadelphia a 108-106 lead with 36 seconds to play. Irving responded with a signature turn around fade-away in the paint reminiscent of his shot on Christmas only two years earlier. Philadelphia then had a J.J. Redick mid-range jumper come up just short at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
Overtime was then all Boston. Philadelphia opened the overtime session with a five-point lead in part to a Marcus Smart technical. After that, Boston outscored Philadelphia 13-1 the rest of the way.
A win would have gone a long way for Philadelphia working past their struggles with Boston. However, an overtime loss in Boston is not a reason for overconcern, either.
Philadelphia will look to get back on their winning ways when they head to Utah on Thursday.