Sixers-Celtics takeaways: Caleb Martin shines, Paul George's shooting woes
BOSTON – Caleb Martin is feeling better. The 76ers' small ball lineup paid dividends against the Boston Celtics. And Paul George had a shooting night he’d like to forget. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 118-114 Christmas Day victory over the Celtics at TD Garden.
BOSTON – Caleb Martin is feeling better. The 76ers' small ball lineup paid dividends against the Boston Celtics. And Paul George had a shooting night he’d like to forget. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 118-114 Christmas Day victory over the Celtics at TD Garden.
Martin feeling like himself
Martin has battled shoulder, back, and neck injuries since the start season's start. The forward was finally injury free this week. And that was a bad thing for Boston. Martin finished with a season-high 23 points.
Martin feeling like himself
Martin has battled shoulder, back, and neck injuries since the start season's start. The forward was finally injury free this week. And that was a bad thing for Boston. Martin finished with a season-high 23 points.
His seven three-pointers was a Sixers Christmas Day record. Martin made 3 of 5 shots from deep while scoring 12 points in Monday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs. “He’s much healthier now than he was two weeks ago,” coach Nick Nurse said. “The first thing he said to me was … ’Coach I feel so much better physically.'"
His seven three-pointers was a Sixers Christmas Day record. Martin made 3 of 5 shots from deep while scoring 12 points in Monday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs. “He’s much healthier now than he was two weeks ago,” coach Nick Nurse said. “The first thing he said to me was … ’Coach I feel so much better physically.'"
Going small
Joel Embiid finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, but the Sixers were outscored by 18 points during his 30 minutes, 45 seconds of action. During backup center Guerschon Yabusele's 21:18 of action, the Sixers outscored Boston by 18.
Going small
Joel Embiid finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, but the Sixers were outscored by 18 points during his 30 minutes, 45 seconds of action. During backup center Guerschon Yabusele's 21:18 of action, the Sixers outscored Boston by 18.
The Sixers also had guards Kyle Lowry (plus-20) and Reggie Jackson (plus-11) on the floor in some of those smaller lineups when Tyrese Maxey was on the bench. The Sixers went to a zone defense with their smaller lineups and had a lot of success.
The Sixers also had guards Kyle Lowry (plus-20) and Reggie Jackson (plus-11) on the floor in some of those smaller lineups when Tyrese Maxey was on the bench. The Sixers went to a zone defense with their smaller lineups and had a lot of success.
George’s shooting woes
George was solid from the foul line, making all four of his attempts. However, the All-Star forward made just 4 of 15 shots while missing all seven of his three-pointers. It marked his worst three-point shooting performance of the season.
George’s shooting woes
George was solid from the foul line, making all four of his attempts. However, the All-Star forward made just 4 of 15 shots while missing all seven of his three-pointers. It marked his worst three-point shooting performance of the season.
This comes after George shot a combined 30% — including 22.2% on three-pointers — in his previous three games. But Nurse isn’t about to hit the panic button. “Listen, tonight I thought his shots were awesome,” Nurse said. “He had really good shots, so I’m encouraged by that. I think the quality of them went way up.
This comes after George shot a combined 30% — including 22.2% on three-pointers — in his previous three games. But Nurse isn’t about to hit the panic button. “Listen, tonight I thought his shots were awesome,” Nurse said. “He had really good shots, so I’m encouraged by that. I think the quality of them went way up.
"Coming off on some of those [shots], he’s getting 14 feet, total space, and total clearance with his height, you’re thinking, ‘Those are automatic.’ And they just didn’t go tonight," Nurse added. "I feel good about where he was getting to and how he was getting there. I feel good about that.”
"Coming off on some of those [shots], he’s getting 14 feet, total space, and total clearance with his height, you’re thinking, ‘Those are automatic.’ And they just didn’t go tonight," Nurse added. "I feel good about where he was getting to and how he was getting there. I feel good about that.”