Christmas Day NBA Live Scores, Updates, Highlights, Analysis: The 76ers unveil a holiday surprise
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Christmas Day NBA Live Scores, Updates, Highlights, Analysis: The 76ers unveil a holiday surprise

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

The Boston Celtics had a rough day at the office on Christmas Day.

The Celtics recorded 12 turnovers compared to the 76ers’ six as Philadelphia won 118-114 at TD Garden

Despite outrebounding Philadelphia 51-39 and shooting 40.8% (20 of 49) from three, Boston only got to the free throw line 13 times, making eight, and struggled to contain Tyrese Maxey, who was 12-33 completed. of 23 shots and had 12 assists and three steals.

Joel Embiid had 27 points (8 of 15 shooting) and nine rebounds in 30 minutes, and Caleb Martin had 23 points on 8 of 11 shooting (7 of 9 from 3) for the 76ers, the 10.5-point underdogs at BetMGM .

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for eight turnovers as the Celtics simply couldn’t find their rhythm and the dynamic duo didn’t make much of an impact for long stretches. The pair combined for 55 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists, but the contributions of Jrue Holiday, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury, were definitely missing.

The Celtics went on an 11-0 run over a two-minute period that cut the 76ers’ lead to 108-105 with 2:25 left after some sloppy play from Philadelphia. But the 76ers held on and scored the game with their free throws.

Before the opening game on Christmas Day there was talk of Victor Wembanyama conquering Manhattan.

And the sophomore sensation was certainly successful.

Wembanyama scored 42 points, nearly breaking the record of 45 points set by rookie Wilt Chamberlain in his Christmas Day debut in 1959, but the Knicks held on and won 117-114 on Wednesday.

Mikal Bridges had his best game of the season, scoring 41 points on 17 of 25 shooting and six three-pointers to pace the Knicks, and Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 41 points.

Wembanyama added 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for San Antonio.

The Knicks, who were 9.5-point favorites at BetMGM, improved to 20-10 while San Antonio fell to 15-15.

Well, not every game can be great.

After Victor Wembanyama put on a show, Luka Dončić strained his left calf in the second quarter and did not return as the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 105-99 win.

The Timberwolves were in control throughout, but took their foot off the gas late as the Mavericks outscored them 31-15 in the fourth quarter.

Still, the Mavs fell short as Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle combined for 49 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 39 points on 14 of 27 shooting (five three-pointers), and Dončić had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in his exit.

  • Knicks 117, Spurs 114

  • Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99

  • 76ers-Celtics, 5:00 p.m. ET: The champions are the champions.

  • Lakers-Warriors, 8 p.m. ET: Let’s enjoy LeBron vs. Steph while we still can.

  • Nuggets-Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET: Nikola Jokić is the best player in the world and Kevin Durant is still doing it.

Live89 updates

  • 76ers are the best Celtics

    What a disappointing end to the game. Derrick White steps onto the line on the inbounds. The ball is handed over to Philly. Game over. 118-114.

    Big, BIG game from the Sixers.

  • Philly led 116-111 with 6.2 seconds left and was on defense.

    Fouling here would be… horrible.

  • Boston’s late rally from a plethora of Philly errors kept the Celtics at bay. What a collapse for the Sixers.

    The Celtics are only five behind

  • Tatum and Brown established themselves in spurts early in the game, but took large chunks of actual playing time off. I can’t afford to become a spectator.

  • That’s now 20 points for Caleb Martin. With only 10 shots.

    The Sixers are 15 points ahead in what is undoubtedly their best game of the season.

  • Caleb Martin, who has struggled with injuries and erratic shooting this season, has 14 points on eight shots.

    Was a huge outlet for the Sixers tonight.

  • I don’t think the Celtics expected to find themselves in a tough battle with the Sixers late in the game, but this underscores how important health is to a team’s overall level.

    The Sixers, who play exclusively with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, are tied 82-82 with the Celtics at the start of the final frame.

  • Tatum hits his fourth triple and the Celtics score the first seven points of the second half.

    Jaylen Brown tries to find his rhythm but is just 3-11 from the field with four turnovers.

  • The 76ers lead at halftime

    Halftime in Boston.

    Sixers lead 66-58.

    Embiid with 18 points and six rebounds. Maxey also had 18 points and 8 assists.

    Jayson Tatum finally came alive late and finished the first half with 16 points and three triples.

    Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard both struggled. A combined 2-of-14 shooting.

  • This is by far the best we’ve seen from the Sixers this season.

    The ball is mobile, the defense is in line, the shot profile is outstanding and the individual execution from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is at the highest level.

    Boston needs to make some adjustments for the second half.

  • It’s unfair to say the Celtics rely too heavily on the three, especially since the long ball helped them win a championship last season, but there are games where they absolutely need to generate more touches in the paint.

    This seems to be one of those games.

  • Strong first quarter from Philly, leading the Celtics 30-25.

    Sloppy ball handling by Boston, who committed 6 turnovers.

    Boston scored seven triples but needs to provide some variety in the second quarter. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum haven’t gone downhill much.

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