The Sixers had started well and led by fourteen points in the first quarter (25-11, 8th). But the building collapsed in the second, won (38-24) by Boston who was able to count on a significant contribution from his bench to straighten the bar. ” Our bench changed the course of a game that was not going our way Said Brad Stevens, the East Conference’s No. 3 seed coach.
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In the lead at the break (67-55), Boston then never let their guard down. Marcus Smart replaced Hayward in the starting five and reservists Enes Kanter (10 points, 9 rebounds), Grant Williams (9 points, 6 rebounds), Brad Wanamaker and Romeo Langford got playing time (23 minutes each for the last two).
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The Celtics delivered a high-flying offensive production with 128 points at 51% shooting success, 44% three-pointers, 20 assists and just six stray balls. Kemba Walker (22 points) and Jaylen Brown (20) perfectly supported Tatum.
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Among the Sixers, only Joel Embiid (34 points, 10 rebounds) and full-back Josh Richardson (18 points) were up to it while Tobias Harris (4 of 15 on shots) sank. The situation is not hopeless, but it already appears very compromised.
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