In the final game of the Philadelphia 76ers’ demanding12-game stretch, the team’s chemistry issues were on full display. Powered by a 26-point performance from Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics yet again defeated the Sixers by a score of 112-109.
In just the third game of the Tobias Harris era, it was clear that this team is going through some growing pains. It was a game in which the Philadelphia 76ers could not quite find their groove, and the Boston Celtics took full advantage.
Despite being undermanned without All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, the Boston Celtics were able to stay in the game with their notoriously rugged defensive effort, led by Joel Embiid‘s kryptonite, Al Horford.
With just one more game until the All-Star break, the 76ers will have to put this game in the rear view mirror as they begin to make their playoff push. A disappointing loss nonetheless, here are the grades earned by the five 76ers starters tonight.
The Philadelphia 76ers are sporting a very new roster that must be given the opportunity to gel. The Boston Celtics were a great barometer to see where this team stood as it’s currently constructed.
As a game that will be the talk of national media, the 76ers must look to move past this disappointing loss with a big bounce back win in New York to head into the All-Star break.
Although a win would have been exciting for such a young team, this game by no means was a must win. Given the time for team chemistry to blossom, this 76ers team will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.