The Boston Celtics rang in the holiday season with their traditional Christmas Day game, but the atmosphere quickly turned tense as they faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 25, 2024. This battle at TD Garden concluded with the 76ers edging out the Celtics 118-114, marking Boston's second consecutive loss and raising questions about their recent form.
Philadelphia entered the matchup having triumphed over early-season struggles, showcasing resilience against the defending champions. The Celtics, donning festive red and green, struggled through the first half, trailing by as much as 16 points at one stage. Boston's defense seemed lackluster, as they allowed the 76ers to drive through their lines easily, resulting in numerous open shots.
The first half belonged to Tyrese Maxey, who delivered a spirited performance, scoring 33 points with 12 assists. Maxey, along with Joel Embiid and Caleb Martin, effectively dismantled the Celtics' defensive schemes, forcing Boston to scramble throughout the opening quarters.
It wasn’t until the third quarter when the Celtics began to find their rhythm. Led by Jayson Tatum, who scored 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, the team clawed back, erasing the 16-point deficit to tie the game at the dawn of the fourth quarter. Tatum's aggressive play was complemented by Al Horford's impressive shooting; Horford finished the game with 21 points, including several key three-pointers. His contributions highlighted the importance of experience on Christmas Day, as he has been known to turn up the heat against his former squad.
“I will be there no matter what,” Horford said jokingly, indicating his history of clutch performances against the 76ers. After his lackluster days with Philadelphia, he has consistently emerged as a reliable figure for Boston.
Despite the sizable comeback effort by the Celtics, the 76ers controlled the latter part of the game. Their timely scoring, particularly from Embiid, who managed to find form with 22 points alongside proficient three-point shooting from Caleb Martin, proved too much for Boston. The Celtics, who had hoped to dominate on their home court, were left frustrated, especially after running out of gas during key moments.
First-half jitters for Jaylen Brown also stunted the Celtics' momentum. The All-Star swingman struggled on both ends of the floor, with four turnovers and only two points scored before halftime. He was fortuitous enough to rebound with 23 points, thanks to his explosive third quarter. “We don’t like losing here at home, especially,” Horford commented, emphasizing the team's disappointment following the loss.
The game reached its pinnacle within the final minutes as the Celtics put together runs, only to be thwarted by 76ers free throws executed by Embiid, who sealed the victory on the line. Following the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla urged his team to improve their consistency, underscoring the importance of stepping up defensively: “We’ve got to be more consistent at both ends of the floor.”
This latest defeat has fans questioning Boston's championship aspirations. Having lost four out of their last seven contests, the Celtics sit at 22-8 with the Indiana Pacers looming on their schedule next.
Overall, the emergence of both teams as key players to contend with this season is underscored by such matchups. The 76ers, now winning eight of their past 11, have made significant strides and appear to be back on track after starting the season 3-14.
While the Celtics have much work to do, they remain hopeful. With Tatum's performance, Horford's shooting, and the hopes of improved teamwork, Boston will aim to bounce back swiftly before their upcoming games.
