Celtics Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against 76ers

NBA: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers

Feb 2, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Kyle Ross/Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

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The Boston Celtics staged an incredible comeback against the Philadelphia 76ers, overcoming a 26-point deficit to secure a 118-110 victory. It was a tale of two halves, with the Celtics looking disengaged and sloppy for much of the game before flipping the switch in dramatic fashion.

Down 26 with just three minutes left in the third quarter, the Celtics went on a blistering 54-20 run over the final 15 minutes to steal the win. The turnaround was sparked by improved defensive effort and hot shooting, as Boston connected on 12 of 16 three-pointers during the decisive stretch.

Jayson Tatum was the catalyst, putting together a dominant performance with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists. He took over down the stretch, racking up 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists in the final 15 minutes alone. It marked Tatum’s first back-to-back games with double-digit assists in his career.

The Celtics’ offense finally found its rhythm after struggling against Philadelphia’s zone defense early on. Rather than settling for outside shots, they began attacking gaps and collapsing the zone in the second half. This opened up quality looks, allowing shooters like Derrick White and Sam Hauser to get hot.

Defensively, Boston tightened up significantly after a lackluster start. They stopped giving up easy backdoor cuts and began playing with more discipline and effort. Jaylen Brown’s improved defense on Tyrese Maxey was particularly crucial in slowing down Philadelphia’s attack.

While the comeback was impressive, the Celtics’ tendency to play down to opponents and flip the switch remains concerning. They can’t always count on erasing huge deficits against better teams. Still, this win showcased their resilience and firepower when locked in.

For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ thrilling victory, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.

Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:

• Jaylen Brown’s frustrations with officiating and postgame comments

• Joe Mazzulla’s second-half adjustments

• Al Horford’s reduced role and Luke Kornet’s impact

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