Jayson Tatum counters James Harden! Boston Celtics win their opening game against the Philadelphia 76ers

The Boston Celtics won 126-117 against the Philadelphia 76ers. With 35 points, Jayson Tatum immediately builds on the strong performances of the previous season. Joel Embiid disappoints at the Sixers.

Boston Celtics (1-0) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) 126:117 (BOXSCORE)

Even without the suspended head coach Ime Udoka and the injured starting center Robert Williams, the Celtics underlined why they reached the finals last year. Jayson Tatum (35 points, 13/20 FG, 12 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (35, 14/24) presented themselves in impressive early form against the Sixers, and newcomer Malcolm Brogdon (16, 7/11, 4 assists) also knew that Sixth Man to please.

What Boston also did well was defending against Joel Embiid (26, 9/18 FG, 15 rebounds, 6 turnovers), who was immediately doubled down and pressured at every opportunity in the post. The visitors were so heavily dependent on James Harden (35, 9/14 FG, 5/9 threes, 8 rebounds, 8 assists), who set a new personal best as a member of the Sixers (previously 32). Tyrese Maxey (21, 8/16) only really took part in the game in the fourth quarter, but by then the hosts were already in the double digits.

Both teams started with no surprises. PJ Tucker was the only newcomer allowed to start. The hosts got off to a good start thanks to Tatum (9:2), but after that the superstar was hardly involved. Instead, the first quarter belonged to Harden, who was fouled three times in the stepback three-pointer and was already on 16 points after twelve minutes. Philly led 29:24, Embiid was still without a field goal.

Jayson Tatum revs up after the break

The Cameroonian became more involved as a result, but Boston contained this with double teams and even scored nine possessions in a row. With Harden structure finally came in again, even if he embarrassed himself a littlewhen he first danced out Marcus Smart, shimmyed, and then just hit the board with the three. At the same time, he hit impossible throws like this a little later. Brown (already 18 points) had found his groove for Boston – it was even at the break (63:63).

But what was missing in this game was flow and rhythm. There were numerous fouls, reviews and other interruptions. After all: The Celtics ran at every opportunity and punished it consistently, especially in the middle of the third quarter (9 fast break points in the section). Tatum had the hot hand, giving Boston a double-digit lead with 17 points (7/9 FG) in the section and hitting his jumpers with ease. 98:88 before the final Boston section.

But the guests tried again. Maxey made 12 straight points after barely being involved before. Still, the Sixers didn’t get any closer, Brown and Brogdon let the Celtics offense hum. With a good three minutes to go, the lid was on when Brown hit a deep three with the clock running down and put it to 118:103. The rhythm of the Sixers was gone, Harden in particular was no longer able to play and only took a single throw. Embiid polished his statline while Garbage Time was still in progress.