Sixers-Celtics takeaways: Matisse Thybulle’s short leash and Jayson Tatum’s offensive explosion

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum’s third-quarter explosion doomed the 76ers. Matisse Thybulle played just 23 seconds, which gave the 76ers a huge disadvantage on defense. And the Sixers’ solid foul shooting kept things competitive — for a while.

Below are my look at three things that stood out during the Sixers’ 126-117 season-opening loss to the Boston Celtics Tuesday night at TD Garden.

» READ MORE: Sixers fall 126-117 to Celtics after sluggish showing in NBA season opener

The Celtics forward scored 17 of his 35 points in the third quarter on 7-for-9 shooting.

Tatum appeared unstoppable in the quarter while scoring on fadeways, running layups, finger rolls and a step-back three-pointer.

The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder had his way with P.J. Tucker, Tobias Harris and whoever else guarded him. His performance basically took the competitive life out of the Sixers.

Thybulle is not only the Sixers’ best perimeter defender, he’s one of the NBA’s best defenders. However, the two-time second-team All-Defensive selection played just 23 seconds against the Celtics. He entered the game with 21.5 seconds remaining in the first quarter only to leave with 1.5 seconds left. Then he came in for three seconds in the third quarter.

The Sixers could have really used his defense on a night Tatum and Jaylen Brown torched them for 35 points each. The Celtics also had a 24-2 advantage in transition baskets.

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One has to wonder if coach Doc Rivers and his staff regretted benching Thybulle when Philly was in need of a better defensive presence.

This is one of the few things the Sixers did successfully against Boston. They made 24 of 28 foul shots for 85.7%. James Harden made all 12 of his free throws, while Joel Embiid went 7-for-9. Tyrese Maxey made all three of foul shots and Tobias Harris and Danuel House Jr. both went 1-for-2.

Harris finished with 18 points.

The Sixers power scored 14 on 5-for-8 shooting in the first half. However, he cooled off after intermission with four points on 2-for-6 shooting. But even that’s misleading because his two second-half baskets came in the final minute with the game already decided.

This goes to the Celtics shooting 71.4% in the third quarter.

The Sixers earned this when they produced just two fast-break points.