The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of109-108 on the road on Friday in the first NBA Cup Group Stage contest of the season. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 32 points, six assists, and three rebounds on 13-of-19 from the field anf 4-of-7 from three-point range.
Anfernee Simons was Boston’s second-leading scorer with 19 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench (3-of-9 from three). He was also a game-high +23. Other double-figure scorers for the Celtics were Derrick White (15 points) and Payton Pritchard (15 points).
Hugo González was productive in 15 minutes off the bench for Boston, tallying five points (2-for-5 FG), five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Josh Minott led the Celtics in rebounding with eight.
Boston looked awesome in the first half, dominating Philly and playing efficient offense, but the 76ers made a second-half surge and the game could have gone either way down the stretch.
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Tyrese Maxey continued his strong season, leading the Sixers with 26 points. Joel Embiid (20 points), VJ Edgecombe (17 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (17 points), and Quentin Grimes (16 points) were Philly’s other top scorers.
Next up for the Celtics is a home game on Saturday against Ime Udoka, Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
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