PLAYER GRADES: Boston Celtics 112, Philadelphia 76ers 109
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.
C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID. C+. <strong>37 mins | 23 pts | 14 reb | ast | 3 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 9-22 FG | 2-8 3PT| 7-10 FT | 5 PF | +3 |</strong><p>Despite another 20/10 performance from All-Star center Joel Embiid, his shooting inefficiencies were a determining factor in the outcome of this game. For the 76ers to make a playoff run this season, the big man will have to improve his shot selection because a 40/25 split from the field isn’t going to cut it.</p>
B-. <strong>34 mins | 16 pts | 5 reb | 5 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 3 TO | 7-9 FG | 0-0 3PT| 2-7 FT | 1 PF | +1 |</strong><p>On a night where the 76ers desperately needed a strong offensive performance from their All-Star point guard, <a href=. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS
PF. Philadelphia 76ers. TOBIAS HARRIS. C. <strong>34 mins | 10 pts | 8 reb | 2 ast | 0 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 4-14 FG | 0-6 3PT| 2-2 FT | 4 PF | -12 |</strong><p>In just his third game as a 76ers, Tobias Harris put up his worst performance to date. It was clear that although Harris has looked comfortable in the 76ers offense thus far, they had not played a team as defensively sound as Boston and the inexperience with Philadelphia’s offense showed. An 0-6 showing from 3 is not something Philadelphia fans should expect to see from Harris on a nightly basis, but tonight it was very costly in the 76ers losing effort.</p>
B-. <strong>34 mins | 16 pts | 3 reb | 2 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 3 TO | 4-11 FG | 4-8 3PT| 4-4 FT | 3 PF | +8 |</strong><p>There is rarely a night where 76ers fans have to worry about offensive production from JJ Redick. Posting his 62nd straight game in which the Duke product scores in double figures, including 50% from beyond the arc, JJ was exactly the player we signed him to be tonight. Despite being a +8, Redick’s defensive inefficiencies were put on blast tonight by the savvy Celtics offense who constantly attacked the shooting guard.</p>. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. JJ REDICK
B-. <strong>36 mins | 22 pts | 9 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 7-12 FG | 1-2 3PT| 7-10 FT | 1 PF | -4 |</strong><p>Tonight is a night that <a href=. SF. Philadelphia 76ers. JIMMY BUTLER
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.
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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.