BOSTON (AP) – The Celtics walked off the court angry and frustrated after giving up home-court advantage in their series-opening loss to the 76ers. Boston called on those emotions – and its defence – to dominate in Game 2.
Jaylen Brown scored 25 points and the Celtics rolled past Philadelphia 121-87 on Wednesday night, spoiling the return of new league most valuable player (MVP) Joel Embiid.
The Celtics tied the series at one game apiece as the Eastern Conference semifinal series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3.
“I think we’ve just got to take more pride in ourselves. That’s it,” Brown said. “I just feel like we underperformed last game. We wanted to come out and play to the best of our ability. And that’s what we did.”
Malcolm Brogdon added 23 points, connecting on six of Boston’s 20 three-pointers. Derrick White and Marcus Smart added 15 points apiece. Jayson Tatum played most of the game in foul trouble and was held to seven points.
Boston ratcheted up its defence and limited a 76ers team that hit 17 three-pointers in its Game 1 win to just six of 30 from beyond the arc on Wednesday.
The Celtics led by as many as 36 points in the fourth quarter. Brogdon said their charge now is to maintain the same mindset going forward.
