76ers Blow 26 Point Lead, Lose to Celtics

This has been a forgettable season for the Philadelphia 76ers, although it’s improved since they were 3-14 back on November 27th. They managed to get up to 13-17 to close out 2024, then reverted to their previous form with a 2-10 stretch. The often injured Joel Embiid has played well when he’s played, but he’s only played in 13 games, none since January 4th. Despite all that, they remain just outside the play in tournament for the post season, with plenty of games left.

Philadelphia played the Boston Celtics on February 2nd. Boston leads the Atlantic Division and is 2nd overall in the Eastern Conference, but Philadelphia won their first meeting 118-114 on Christmas Day in Boston. And for much of this game, Philly was in control and appeared to be cruising to victory, taking a 26 point lead with 2:57 left in the third quarter. Boston whittled that down to a 14 point deficit at the end of the third quarter.

But then it all fell apart for Philadelphia. The Celtics got hot in the fourth quarter and took a 101-100 lead on a Jayson Tatum three pointer with 6:51 left in the fourth, and never trailed again. The Celtics held Philadelphia to just 16 fourth quarter points while scoring 38 themselves and claimed a 118-110 come from behind victory. Boston improved to 35-15, while Philadelphia fell to 19-29. Tatum led Boston with 35 points, and Jaylen Brown had a double double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey, who is having and excellent season, led Philadelphia with 34 points.