Kofi Inkoom
The Celtics, missing Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, orchestrated a remarkable comeback against the Philadelphia Sixers, securing a 117-107 victory and reclaiming the top spot in the Eastern Conference (9-2).
Despite a challenging second quarter where turnovers plagued the Celtics, resulting in a 36-20 scoring advantage for the 76ers, the team rebounded in the second half.
Their defense tightened, restricting Joel Embiid to 12 points and holding the 76ers to a 30.8 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
Following the game, Joel Embiid devoted a moment in the post-game interview to express admiration for the Boston offense and the team as a whole.
He explicitly acknowledged that they stand as the best team in the league.
Joel Embiid calls the Celtics the best team in the league 👀👀👀#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/O1vgGuqlqG
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 16, 2023
Another standout performance came from former 76ers player Al Horford, stepping into the starting lineup and contributing 14 points, including 4/8 from three-point range.
His defensive efforts played a crucial role in containing Embiid, who finished with 20 points and a minus-25 plus-minus rating.
Jayson Tatum led the game with 29 points, complemented by eight rebounds and six assists, while Derrick White added 27 points and five assists, showcasing a resilient team effort.
The Celtics demonstrated adaptability and cohesion, overcoming adversity to secure a significant victory and reaffirm their standing in the Eastern Conference.