The Boston Celtics got three big games from a trio of starters Monday night, and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-101 at TD Garden in Boston in game one of a Eastern Conference semifinal series. Boston leads the best of seven series 1-0.
The Celtics built an 11 point halftime lead, and led by as many as 19 to take an early advantage in the series over a 76ers team that hadn’t played a game since finishing their first round series in five games with Miami last Tuesday. Boston also hit 17-36 from the three point line, and 18-19 from the foul line. Philadelphia was just 5-26, and 26-35 respectively.
Terry Rozier led the way for Boston with 29 points on 11-18 shooting. That included 7-9 from three point range, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Jayson Tatum had 28 points. Al Horford added 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Tatum became the first Celtics rookie to score at least 28 points in a playoff game since Larry Bird in April of 1980.
Philadelphia got 31 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists from Joel Embiid. JJ Reddick added 20 points, and Ben Simmons had 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Game two will be Thursday night at TD Garden with tipoff slated for 8:30 pm.
