Game ID: 22400407
Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
BOS 25 33 24 32 114PHI 30 36 16 36 118
BOS vs PHI ScoutingBOS vs PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
BOS availability going into 12/15 · 2 days' restOUT Scheierman missed 4 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 12/06 after 2, 30 min since (96% of 31)
BOS availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restOUT Scheierman missed 5 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 12/06 after 2, 28 min since (91% of 31)
BOS availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 6 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 12/06 after 2, 28 min since (92% of 31)
BOS availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Hauser missed 2 since 12/19, returns tonight: 16 min (78% of 21)
OUT Scheierman missed 7 since 12/04, out tonight
BOS availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 2 since 12/21, returns tonight: 8 min (59% of 13)
OUT Scheierman missed 8 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Hauser back 12/23 after 2, 16 min since (78% of 21)
BOS availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 9 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Hauser back 12/23 after 2, 15 min since (71% of 21)
BACK Queta back 12/25 after 2, 8 min since (59% of 13)
BOS availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Holiday missed 2 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Scheierman missed 10 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Hauser back 12/23 after 2, 16 min since (79% of 21)
BACK Queta back 12/25 after 2, 9 min since (64% of 13)
BOS availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Holiday missed 3 since 12/25, returns tonight: 25 min (81% of 31)
OUT Porziņģis missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Scheierman missed 11 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Hauser back 12/23 after 2, 17 min since (83% of 21)
BACK Queta back 12/25 after 2, 7 min since (56% of 13)
BOS availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT Porziņģis missed 3 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Scheierman missed 12 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 12/31 after 3, 25 min since (81% of 31)
BACK Hauser back 12/23 after 2, 17 min since (83% of 21)
BACK Queta back 12/25 after 2, 10 min since (77% of 13)
PHI availability going into 12/16 · 2 days' restOUT Edwards missed 5 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 5 since 12/03, returns tonight: 26 min (132% of 20)
OUT Bona missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 10 since 11/20, out tonight
BACK C. Martin back 12/03 after 2, 17 min since (57% of 30)
BACK Embiid back 12/08 after 7, 25 min since (83% of 30)
BACK Drummond back 12/06 after 2, 19 min since (102% of 19)
BACK Lowry back 12/03 after 5, 12 min since (63% of 19)
BACK Council IV back 12/13 after 2, 22 min since (126% of 17)
BACK Jackson back 12/04 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 12)
NEW K. Martin 20 to 25 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 12/20 · 3 days' restOUT C. Martin missed 2 since 12/13, out tonight
OUT Edwards missed 6 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT Bona missed 4 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 11 since 11/20, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 12/08 after 7, 25 min since (83% of 30)
BACK Gordon back 12/16 after 5, 26 min since (132% of 20)
BACK Drummond back 12/06 after 2, 21 min since (114% of 19)
BACK Council IV back 12/13 after 2, 15 min since (88% of 17)
BACK Jackson back 12/04 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 12)
PHI availability going into 12/21 · back-to-backOUT C. Martin missed 3 since 12/13, returns tonight: 29 min (95% of 30)
OUT Edwards missed 7 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT McCain missed 2 since 12/16, out tonight
OUT Bona missed 5 since 12/06, returns tonight: 12 min (75% of 16)
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 12 since 11/20, returns tonight: 12 min (79% of 15)
OUT Jackson missed 2 since 12/16, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 12/08 after 7, 27 min since (90% of 30)
BACK Gordon back 12/16 after 5, 21 min since (107% of 20)
BACK Drummond back 12/06 after 2, 19 min since (102% of 19)
BACK Council IV back 12/13 after 2, 14 min since (83% of 17)
PHI availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Edwards missed 8 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT McCain missed 3 since 12/16, out tonight
OUT Jackson missed 3 since 12/16, returns tonight: 6 min (47% of 12)
BACK C. Martin back 12/21 after 3, 29 min since (95% of 30)
BACK Embiid back 12/08 after 7, 27 min since (90% of 30)
BACK Gordon back 12/16 after 5, 17 min since (88% of 20)
BACK Council IV back 12/13 after 2, 16 min since (94% of 17)
BACK Bona back 12/21 after 5, 12 min since (75% of 16)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 12/21 after 12, 12 min since (79% of 15)
PHI availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Edwards missed 9 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT McCain missed 4 since 12/16, not on tonight's roster
BACK C. Martin back 12/21 after 3, 28 min since (92% of 30)
BACK Gordon back 12/16 after 5, 17 min since (88% of 20)
BACK Council IV back 12/13 after 2, 16 min since (94% of 17)
BACK Bona back 12/21 after 5, 12 min since (75% of 16)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 12/21 after 12, 12 min since (79% of 15)
BACK Jackson back 12/13 after 2, 6 min since (45% of 12)
PHI availability going into 12/28 · 2 days' restOUT Edwards missed 10 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Council IV missed 2 since 12/23, returns tonight: 11 min (63% of 17)
OUT Bona missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK C. Martin back 12/21 after 3, 31 min since (103% of 30)
BACK Jackson back 12/23 after 3, 11 min since (91% of 12)
PHI availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Edwards missed 11 since 12/03, out tonight
OUT K. Martin missed 2 since 12/25, not on tonight's roster
OUT Gordon missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Drummond missed 2 since 12/25, out tonight
OUT Bona missed 3 since 12/23, returns tonight: 4 min (26% of 16)
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 3 since 12/23, returns tonight: 5 min (32% of 15)
BACK C. Martin back 12/21 after 3, 32 min since (107% of 30)
BACK Council IV back 12/28 after 2, 11 min since (63% of 17)
BACK Jackson back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (100% of 12)
PHI availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Edwards missed 12 since 12/03, returns tonight: 5 min (18% of 26)
OUT Gordon missed 4 since 12/23, returns tonight: 27 min (137% of 20)
OUT Drummond missed 3 since 12/25, returns tonight: 20 min (109% of 19)
BACK C. Martin back 12/21 after 3, 33 min since (110% of 30)
BACK Council IV back 12/28 after 2, 12 min since (71% of 17)
BACK Bona back 12/21 after 5, 8 min since (50% of 16)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 12/21 after 12, 8 min since (56% of 15)
BACK Jackson back 12/23 after 3, 14 min since (111% of 12)
PHI availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backBACK Edwards back 1/01 after 12, 5 min since (18% of 26)
BACK Gordon back 1/01 after 4, 27 min since (137% of 20)
BACK Drummond back 1/01 after 3, 20 min since (109% of 19)
BACK Council IV back 12/28 after 2, 12 min since (68% of 17)
BACK Bona back 12/30 after 3, 4 min since (26% of 16)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 12/30 after 3, 5 min since (32% of 15)
BACK Jackson back 12/23 after 3, 14 min since (110% of 12)
NEW C. Martin 30 to 35 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 104, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Tatum at 34 and Brown at 20 a game. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 18 a game. Without Edwards (9 straight), McCain (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 104 a night to Philadelphia's 112 and the line, where Philadelphia takes 26 free throws a game to Boston's 20. Call it Boston 115, Philadelphia 106.
12/15 @ WAS 112-98 — BOS notes
BOS won 112-98. BOS shot 43% (40 of 93) to WAS's 40%, 18 of 46 from three, and went to the line 24 times to WAS's 8 — 14 points from the stripe to their 5. Tatum led with 28 (12 of 26, 2 of 9 from three); Pritchard added 15, White 15. The hinge was Q1, 34-23: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Hauser was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
12/19 vs CHI 108-117 — BOS notes
BOS lost 108-117. BOS shot 39% (38 of 97) to CHI's 45%, 14 of 56 from three. BOS turned it over 4 times to CHI's 10. The glass went 45-56 against them. Tatum led with 31 (10 of 22, 4 of 11 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Porziņģis added 20, Brown 19. Q1 was theirs, 25-21, but the other 3 periods went 96-83 against them. Brown's -19 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/21 @ CHI 123-98 — BOS notes
BOS won 123-98. BOS shot 48% (48 of 100) to CHI's 38%, 15 of 45 from three. The glass went 59-43 for them. Tatum led with 43 (16 of 24, 9 of 15 from three); Porziņģis added 22, Brown 19. The hinge was Q3, 32-23: a lead of 7 became 16, and the lead reached 29. Pritchard was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
12/23 @ ORL 104-108 — BOS notes
BOS lost 104-108. BOS shot 44% (37 of 84) to ORL's 45%, 8 of 33 from three, and went to the line 27 times to ORL's 21 — 22 points from the stripe to their 21. Brown led with 35 (15 of 29, 1 of 7 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); White added 17, Porziņģis 17. Q1 was theirs, 32-21, but the other 3 periods went 87-72 against them. They led by as many as 15. Pritchard's -12 in 21 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/25 vs PHI 114-118 — BOS notes
BOS lost 114-118. BOS shot 45% (43 of 95) to PHI's 47%, 20 of 49 from three, and got to the line 13 times to PHI's 19. BOS turned it over 13 times to PHI's 6, and PHI turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 51-39 for them. Tatum led with 32 (11 of 20, 4 of 8 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Brown added 23, White 21. Q3 was theirs, 24-16, the deficit cut from 8 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 102-90 against them.
12/27 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Tatum at 34 and Brown at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Nembhard at 17 a game. Without Nesmith (25 straight), Isa. Jackson (25 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Indiana at 39 percent from three to Boston's 33. Call it Boston 116, Indiana 110.
12/29 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Tatum at 32 and Brown at 28 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Holiday (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 20 and Nembhard at 17 a game. Without Nesmith (26 straight), Isa. Jackson (26 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-6 a night and Indiana minus-0. Call it Boston 119, Indiana 110.
12/31 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brown at 30 and Tatum at 30 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Holiday (3 straight), Porziņģis (2 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Barrett at 22 and Barnes at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Quickley (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-6 a night and Toronto minus-9 and the defense, Boston allowing 110 a night to Toronto's 129. Call it Boston 123, Toronto 110, Boston by 13.
1/02 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; Edwards at 20 and Randle at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Boston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brown at 29 and Tatum at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Porziņģis (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Boston takes 21 free throws a game to Minnesota's 15 and the turnovers, Minnesota giving it away 16 times a game to Boston's 12. Call it Boston 113, Minnesota 109, Minnesota keeping it close.
12/16 @ CHA 121-108 — PHI notes
PHI won 121-108. PHI shot 51% (41 of 80) to CHA's 51%, 16 of 38 from three, and went to the line 30 times to CHA's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 12. Maxey led with 40 (12 of 28, 6 of 12 from three, 10 of 13 at the line); George added 33, Oubre Jr. 19. The hinge was Q3, 41-30: a lead of 5 became 16, and the lead reached 21. Oubre Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
12/20 vs CHA 108-98 — PHI notes
PHI won 108-98. PHI shot 49% (41 of 83) to CHA's 46%, 12 of 33 from three. Embiid led with 34 (12 of 24, 2 of 4 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Maxey added 23, Oubre Jr. 22. The hinge was Q1, 41-23: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Martin was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
12/21 @ CLE 99-126 — PHI notes
PHI lost 99-126. PHI shot 40% (34 of 85) to CLE's 53%, 11 of 34 from three, and went to the line 27 times to CLE's 15 — 20 points from the stripe to their 8. Maxey led with 27 (8 of 21, 5 of 10 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); George added 11, Council IV 11. Q1 was theirs, 30-30, but the other 3 periods went 96-69 against them. They led by as many as 11. Oubre Jr.'s -34 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 vs SAS 111-106 — PHI notes
PHI won 111-106. PHI shot 42% (39 of 93) to SAS's 46%, 16 of 44 from three. PHI turned it over 9 times to SAS's 18. Maxey led with 32 (12 of 25, 5 of 11 from three); George added 19, Yabusele 17. The hinge was Q3, 36-30: a lead of 3 became 9, and the lead reached 15. George was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
12/25 @ BOS 118-114 — PHI notes
PHI won 118-114. PHI shot 47% (41 of 88) to BOS's 45%, 17 of 40 from three, and went to the line 19 times to BOS's 13 — 19 points from the stripe to their 8. PHI turned it over 6 times to BOS's 13. The glass went 39-51 against them. Maxey led with 33 (12 of 23, 3 of 9 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Embiid added 27, Martin 23. The hinge was Q1, 30-25: from level to 5 ahead, and the lead reached 16.
12/28 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 42 from three, 26 free throws a game; Markkanen at 23 and Sexton at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without George (3 straight), Collins (2 straight), Hendricks (26 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 31 and Embiid at 23 a game. Without Edwards (10 straight), Gordon (2 straight), Council IV (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Utah giving it away 19 times a game to Philadelphia's 12 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-5 a night and Philadelphia minus-3. Call it Utah 114, Philadelphia 113, Philadelphia keeping it close.
12/30 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Avdija at 19 a game. Without Thybulle (31 straight), Williams III (3 straight), Banton (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 26 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Edwards (11 straight), K. Martin (2 straight), Gordon (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-7 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 111 a night to Portland's 122. Call it Philadelphia 113, Portland 112, Portland keeping it close.
1/01 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 28 and Sabonis at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 26 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Edwards (12 straight), Gordon (4 straight), Drummond (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-5 a night and Philadelphia minus-6 and the arc, Philadelphia at 38 percent from three to Sacramento's 31. Call it Sacramento 112, Philadelphia 111, Philadelphia keeping it close.
1/02 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 109, shooting 40 percent and 28 from three, 21 free throws a game; Kuminga at 25 and Curry at 20 a game. Without Payton II (3 straight), Anderson (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Maxey at 29 and Embiid at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the arc, Philadelphia at 39 percent from three to Golden State's 28 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-7. Call it Golden State 111, Philadelphia 108, Philadelphia keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
BOSAH A. Horford
DW D. White
JB J. Brown
JT J. Tatum
KP K. Porziņģis
LK L. Kornet
NQ N. Queta
PP P. Pritchard
PO Porzingis
SH S. Hauser
PHICM C. Martin
GY G. Yabusele
JE J. Embiid
KL K. Lowry
KO K. Oubre Jr.
PG P. George
RJ R. Jackson
TM T. Maxey
BOS/PHI the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Embiid shakes off pregame fall, leads Sixers to 118-114 win over Celtics
BOSTON -- — Joel Embiid popped up from a pregame fall and scored 27 points with nine rebounds, making 4 of 5 from 3-point range and sinking a pair of free throws with 3 seconds left to turn back Boston’s final rally and lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-114 victory on Wednesday.
Tyrese Maxey had 33 points and 12 assists. He scored 13 in the fourth quarter, including a quick-trigger layup to open a seven-point lead with about a minute left after the Sixers inbounded the ball with 1.1 seconds on the shot clock. Caleb Martin scored 23, hitting 7 of 9 from 3-point range.
Jayson Tatum scored 32 with 15 rebounds for Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Derrick White had 21. Boston wore red socks and leggings with their green jerseys for an extra dose of Christmas spirit.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis , who has missed all but nine games this season with injuries, did not return for the second half. The team said he had an ankle injury.
Takeaways 76ers: If Embiid stays healthy, the Sixers may finally be able to topple them in the Eastern Conference.
Celtics: Lost two in a row for the first time this season.
Key moment Embiid fell and grabbed his ankle during pregame warmups, but started and played 31 minutes wearing a black mask to protect his sinus fracture. He limped to the free throw line after he was fouled on a drive to the basket with two minutes left and Philadelphia leading 108-105.
He made both free throws, and sank two more with 3 seconds left after the Celtics cut a nine-point lead to 116-114 in the final minute.
Key stat The Celtics trailed by as many as 16 points, 52-36, in the third quarter – their largest deficit at home this season.
Up next The Sixers visit Utah on Saturday in the second game of a six-game road trip.