POST GAME PHILLY - AWAY

Celtics dismantle Sixers behind hot shooting

CSNNE

By Kevin O’Connor

So much for a letdown against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers. Despite traveling on the day of the game, the Boston Celtics demolished the Sixers, 112-92.

The Celtics (24-21) came out scorching hot and built a 15-point halftime lead behind Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart, who combined for 28 of Boston’s 58 first-half points.

Crowder, who was sick Friday against the Bulls, scored 20 points while hitting 3-of-5 three-pointers.

Smart entered the game shooting 19.5 percent from three and spent extra time shooting after Saturday’s practice. He absolutely regained his stroke against the Sixers, with 16 points and three triples.

The Celtics’ 44 percent (11-of-25) three-point shooting performance is their fourth-best of the season. Boston’s hot shooting is all the more impressive since the Sixers (6-39) usually do a solid job of defending three-point arc.

The Celtics were able to manufacture so many open looks because of their crisp ball movement. They assisted on 29 of their 43 made baskets; they’re now 17-10 in games they assist on over 60 percent of their makes.

Much was made about Ish Smith’s impact on the Sixers, but his minus-36 on Sunday is one of the worst plus-minuses of the season. Smith struggled to penetrate the paint, with only four assists to three turnovers, and his seven points came on 12 shots.

Smith’s nemesis, Isaiah Thomas, continued to build his case to be named an All-Star reserve.

Thomas exploded in the third quarter, helping extend Boston’s lead with 20 points in 24 minutes.

After Sunday’s win, the Celtics have sole possession of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference standings. On Monday they’ll complete the second night of a back-to-back against the Wizards, who are on the playoff bubble.
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NOBODY WATCHES AS CELTICS DOMINATE 76ERS 112-92

WEEI
By Sam Packard


Jan 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts to his three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

If the Celtics dominate the 76ers and no one is there to see it, does it still count as a win?

Yes. Obviously.

After Winter Storm Jonas dropped close to two feet of snow on the Philadelphia, less than 2,000 people were in the stands to see the Celtics defeat the 76ers 112-92.

The Celtics dominated the entire game, scoring 94 points in the first three quarters. The C’s are averaging 112 points over their past eight games.

The 76ers played terrible defense and allowed the Celtics to take numerous open threes. The Celtics shot 44% (11-for-25) from beyond the arc.

Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas each scored 20 points, while Avery Bradley added 19. Marcus Smart and Evan Turner added 16 and 11 points off the bench respectively.

With the win, the (24-21) Celtics are now in sole possession of the fifth best record in the Eastern Conference. The team will travel south to the next closest covered city, to play the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

112288

At least we didn't play down to our opponent for a change.

Smart hitting shots. Keep it up.

Okafur invisible, Noel offensively incompetent.

Welcome to 5th place, Celtic fans. Let's win tonight to keep it.


bob


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http://www.nba.com/celtics/game_recap/keys-20160124-BOSPHI



By Marc D'Amico |  @Marc_DAmico
Celtics.com
January 24, 2016


Key Moment

Finally, the Celtics took care of business during a matchup against one of the NBA’s bottom feeders. Boston, which had dropped games to the Lakers, the Nets and the Knicks since Dec. 30, put the 76ers away early Sunday night.

The Celtics never trailed from the 10:14 mark of the first quarter until the end of the night. The took control of the game early on in the second period and never gave the Sixers life from that point on.

Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart combined to score the final three points of the opening quarter. Boston then scored the first seven of the second quarter to open up a 37-25 lead, their largest of the night to that point.

The run kept on coming after a quick free throw from Philadelphia’s Ish Smith. Jae Crowder and Smart, who each nailed three 3-pointers during the first half, canned back-to-back treys to bump Boston’s lead up to 17 at the 6:16 mark of the second quarter. They would go on to pull ahead by as many as 29 points and cruised to a 112-92 win.

Winter Storm Jonas delayed this contest from Saturday night to Sunday night. However, it couldn’t delay the inevitable: Boston taking care of business against a subpar Sixers team.


Key Player


Some Celtics were upset that their tilt with the Sixers was delayed from Saturday to Sunday. Marcus Smart? Not so much.

“The snow is a good thing for me,” he said Saturday afternoon, “because I can get up some (extra) shots (at the practice facility.”

Smart had shot just 33.2 percent from the floor and 15.6 percent from long range during his first 14 games back from a lower left leg injury. Those percentages spiked dramatically Sunday night, one day after Smart put in extra work after Boston’s practice.

Smart scored 16 points on the night, including a 3-for-6 performance from downtown. That 3-point output matched his best of the season. The guard shot 6-for-11 overall on the night.

Defense, Smart’s calling card, was also a highlight of his performance. He was all over Philly’s ballhandlers and grabbed a game-high four steals on the night.

Brad Stevens left Smart in the game for 28-plus minutes. Twelve of those minutes were logged during the fourth quarter, when the guard was joined by many of Boston’s end-of-bench players such as Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter. His plus/minus rating of plus-two would have been much better had he not been in the game for those relatively meaningless minutes.

No one on the inside of Boston’s locker room is worried about Smart’s plus/minus rating, however. They’re much more interested in the fact that Saturday’s snow day allowed him to find his rhythm at the offensive end.


Box Score Nuggets

Three Celtics grabbed at least 10 rebounds, led by 12 from Amir Johnson.
Jonas Jerebko grabbed a season-high 10 boards.
Philadelphia managed to shoot just 39.3 percent from the field and committed 24 turnovers.
No player in the game logged a double-double.
Boston dished out 29 assists, led by a career-best tying seven from Jared Sullinger.
Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points apiece to lead the C's.
Robert Covington led Philadelphia with 25 points.
Boston led by as many as 29 points.
The C's outscored the Sixers 25-8 in fast break points.
Boston reserves Marcus Smart and Evan Turner scored 16 and 11 points apiece, respectively, while none of Philly's bench players logged more than eight.
Smart grabbed a game-high four steals.
Crowder was a plus-27 during 32-plus minutes of action.


Quote of the Night

It felt like we were back in AAU again, arriving and playing the game that night.
- Marcus Smart on the Celtics arriving at their hotel in Philadelphia at 11 a.m. this morning.



bob


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