The Sixers challenged the Celtics in Boston Wednesday in the battle for the bottom of the Atlantic division. The first of four matchups between these teams would go down to the buzzer. It would take a buzzer-beater from Evan Turner (his second of the season) for the Sixers(15-31) to claim the victory, 95-94.
Despite playing without Rajon Rondo (rest), the Celtics kept up with the Sixers throughout the contest. The Sixers finished the opening quarter down by 3, but back-to back three-pointers from Spencer Hawes gave Philadelphia the lead, 29-26, early in the 2nd. A layup from Thad Young gave the 76ers a double-digit lead with 4:50 left in the half. When it looked as though the Sixers could pull away, the Celtics scored 9 straight points to make it a 5 point game again. Philly entered the break with a 53-47 lead over Boston. Hawes led the 76ers with 10 points while Jeff Green led Boston with 13 points in the first half.
The Celtics cut Philly's lead to 3 midway through the 3rd with some solid play from Jared Sullinger. After pushing it back to 7, the Sixers allowed the Celtics to cut their lead back to 3 at the end of the 3rd. Neither team shot well from the floor, but the Celtics controlled the glass the entire game. The Celtics retook control of the game with 9:55 to go. Thad Young would tie it back up briefly with just 4 minutes remaining. The Sixers missed 3 vital free-throws within the final 3 minutes (Turner missing 1, MCW missing 2), and instead of knotting it up, the Sixers found themselves trailing by 1 with :33 seconds left. Luckily, Kris Humphries missed a jumper and after the rebound, MCW gave the ball to Evan Turner at the top of the key with under :10 seconds. Turner used a hesitation crossover, drove, took the contact and hit the game-winning basket at the buzzer. The Sixers won the road, 95-94.
Spencer Hawes scored 20 points off 4 three-pointers and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Sixers. Thad Young and ET added 16 points. Turner also recorded 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Carter-Williams scored 10 points with 7 assists and 2 blocks and James Anderson ended with 13 points and 6 boards. The Sixers won despite being out-rebounded 59-40, which almost always spells doom. Philly only shot 43% from the field and 56% from the line, but they limited their turnovers to 10 while Boston committed 17 and shot an awful 37%.
Jared Sullinger had a big second half and finished with 24 points and 17 rebounds for Boston. Green contributed 18 points and 6 rebounds. The Celtics bench added 38 points.
The Sixers will travel to ATL next to play the Hawks (23-21).
By: Matt Ryan
The Celtics cut Philly's lead to 3 midway through the 3rd with some solid play from Jared Sullinger. After pushing it back to 7, the Sixers allowed the Celtics to cut their lead back to 3 at the end of the 3rd. Neither team shot well from the floor, but the Celtics controlled the glass the entire game. The Celtics retook control of the game with 9:55 to go. Thad Young would tie it back up briefly with just 4 minutes remaining. The Sixers missed 3 vital free-throws within the final 3 minutes (Turner missing 1, MCW missing 2), and instead of knotting it up, the Sixers found themselves trailing by 1 with :33 seconds left. Luckily, Kris Humphries missed a jumper and after the rebound, MCW gave the ball to Evan Turner at the top of the key with under :10 seconds. Turner used a hesitation crossover, drove, took the contact and hit the game-winning basket at the buzzer. The Sixers won the road, 95-94.
Spencer Hawes scored 20 points off 4 three-pointers and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Sixers. Thad Young and ET added 16 points. Turner also recorded 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Carter-Williams scored 10 points with 7 assists and 2 blocks and James Anderson ended with 13 points and 6 boards. The Sixers won despite being out-rebounded 59-40, which almost always spells doom. Philly only shot 43% from the field and 56% from the line, but they limited their turnovers to 10 while Boston committed 17 and shot an awful 37%.
Jared Sullinger had a big second half and finished with 24 points and 17 rebounds for Boston. Green contributed 18 points and 6 rebounds. The Celtics bench added 38 points.
The Sixers will travel to ATL next to play the Hawks (23-21).
By: Matt Ryan
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