Watching the Celtics this season has been quite a bit like taking part in darts.
You’ll be able to have a pair sturdy throws in a row, and assume you could have all of it discovered, then the following one goes awry and hits your pal within the eye. It’s completely unpredictable, and it typically comes with out warning.
However, in case your pal is OK, and also you get one other throw, you could possibly salvage a state of affairs that after appeared like a misplaced trigger. Typically, an evening that begins inauspiciously might morph right into a memorable story.
After falling behind by 26 factors late within the third quarter on Sunday night time, the Celtics responded convincingly to outlast the 76ers 118-110 in a thriller at Wells Fargo Middle. It was fairly ugly early, to say the least, then they performed impressed basketball when it mattered most.
The Celtics’ comeback from 26 down matches the biggest deficit overcome to win within the NBA this season (Clippers 113, Spurs 104 Nov. 4)
It is the Celtics’ largest comeback since April 2021 once they defeated the Spurs after trailing by 32.
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) February 3, 2025
Listed below are 10 takeaways:
1) It was a multitude to start out.
Sure, it was a magical comeback, however let’s not faux it was rosy your entire approach. The Celtics regarded out of kinds defensively and missed pictures they often make on the opposite finish.
They’d bother with the zone, couldn’t include Tyrese Maxey (34 factors) and let Guerschon Yabusele take over.
Trailing 90-64, it could have been simple to give up. As a substitute, they got here alive.
2) It began with Jayson Tatum.
It’s secure to say the second half was one of many other halves of Jayson Tatum’s profession. He was decisive, relentless and in command, and he scored 25 of his 35 factors to will the Celtics again.
When the 76ers doubled him, Tatum made the correct learn. Once they didn’t, he scored virtually each time. Merely put, it was an MVP-caliber efficiency.
3) They attacked the basket within the second half.
It’s a stat that just about sounds incomprehensible, however in accordance with the Celtics broadcast, the 76ers entered with the worst 2-point protection percentage-wise in NBA historical past. That’s form of nuts if you consider it.
The Celtics bailed them out by taking, and bricking, 3’s within the first half, then they made a deliberate shift within the second and it labored properly. Boston ran its offense from the within out, which opened every little thing up and led to factors within the paint and extra natural, in-rhythm 3’s.
4) Sam Hauser offered a elevate.
Sam Hauser was a key cog within the comeback. He completed with 12 factors and was a game-high plus-18 in 24 minutes.
Hauser helped give the Celtics life once they wanted it most.
5) Payton Pritchard would have cherished this sport.
Payton Pritchard – who had performed in 151 straight video games earlier than lacking this one attributable to an sickness – would have had a blast on the market. He might not have let it escalate to 26, and he virtually actually would have performed a component within the comeback.
Jaden Springer performed seven minutes and was a non-factor, and the Celtics missed Pritchard’s creativity many of the night time.
6) They improved their protection on Maxey.
Maxey had 23 factors on 7-of-14 capturing within the first half and obtained nearly no matter he wished.
Within the second, he was 2 for 7 and scored 11 factors. The Celtics will take that each one day. Maxey stood out in the beginning, then blended in and regarded timid throughout the fourth quarter because the 76ers unraveled.
7) They hit the magic variety of 30-plus assists.
The Celtics had 34 assists, and have now received 29 straight when shelling out 30 or extra. It’s not rocket science. Transfer the ball, generate high-percentage appears and hit open pictures.
8) It shouldn’t have gotten thus far.
The 76ers have been with out Joel Embiid and Paul George, and the Celtics did that factor the place they stoop to the extent of their opponent. There’s no excuse for what occurred within the first two-plus quarter.
This staff is unpredictable, to say the least, however that’s simply the best way it’s proper now.
9) However, they by no means gave up.
Typically, all it takes is a bit enhance when you really want it and every little thing falls into place. They trusted what they do greatest and located a rhythm from the skin, then the comeback began to look believable.
Once they reduce to 14, it appeared properly inside attain. Then it was all the way down to eight, and it appeared prefer it was inevitable. It was virtually a kind of video games the place one staff storms again after which falls simply quick, however the Celtics ensured that didn’t occur.
When Jrue Vacation hit the dagger 3, you knew it was over.
10) It was an historic comeback.
The comeback matched the biggest within the NBA this season and was tied for the third-largest within the final 20 years for the franchise.
It was only one half, but it surely reminded us what this staff is able to when it performs to its potential.
