Boston — The Boston Celtics were under a cloud heading into the preseason due to an off-court scandal.
They appeared to be a club still very much capable of competing for a championship as the regular season got underway.
In the NBA’s regular season opener on Tuesday night, the Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 thanks to the combined 35 points from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
On a night the squad celebrated the life of Bill Russell, the defending Eastern Conference champions delivered interim coach Joe Mazzulla a victory in his first game. Malcolm Brogdon contributed 16 points, and Grant Williams ended with 15.
“It was just special and different, “Black added. Knowing for whom we were playing and who we were playing feels a little better.
Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire season following an inquiry by a law company that discovered he had broken several team rules, and Mazzulla has been given the responsibility of managing the group.
The Celtics squad Mazzulla successfully steered was strikingly similar to the one that made an unexpected run to the NBA Finals the previous season.
It was a proud occasion, according to Mazzulla. “I believe we continued the “Let’s go Celtics!” chant from the beginning of the game till the very finish. You’re doing something good if they’re supporting you.”
With 8 minutes left, Boston jumped out to a 110-97 lead and never looked back.
Since joining the 76ers last season, James Harden has scored 35 points, including 12 of 12 free throws made. Moreover, he made five 3-pointers.
“In transition, we awarded them more than 20 points, “added Harden. “Right there, that’s the game.”
With 15 rebounds, Joel Embiid contributed 26 points. Tyrese Maxey scored 21 points in total.
Mazzulla has vowed to maintain the emphasis on enhancing the atmosphere Udoka created on the floor during his first season as head coach last year.
He claims that it will be done mostly on the defensive end of the court, but on Tuesday, the Celtics’ offence stood out thanks to their 56% field goal shooting.
The Celtics used the same starting lineup as in the preseason, starting defensive rock Derrick White alongside Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jayson Brown, and Al Horford. Big man Robert Williams was out due to recovery from offseason knee surgery.
The smaller group accelerated Philadelphia at times, causing the 76ers to commit 14 errors throughout the contest, which resulted in 22 points for Boston.
With Harden entering his first full season in Philadelphia after being traded for Ben Simmons late in the previous season in a deal with Brooklyn, the 76ers are hoping to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
After a season marked by hamstring issues that limited his efficiency in 21 shortened regular-season games with the Sixers the previous year, Harden appeared revitalised.
The 10-time All-Star, who showed the movement he was missing a year ago, infuriated the Celtics. He frequently managed to reach the free throw line. He was also successful from beyond the arc, making four of them in the opening period, including a rainbow heave from the top of the key to beat the shot clock late in the second.
TIP-INS
76ers: Were defeated 36-31 on the glass. At the end of the first quarter, Harden had a 29-24 lead after scoring 16 points and making 8 of 8 free throws.
Celtics: The 24-2 fast-break points they scored against the 76ers. With no turnovers in the second quarter, they shot 71%. opened the contest with a 9-2 run before losing the rest of the quarter 27-15.
GETTING HEATED
When Smart objected to Embiid clutching onto his arm and then looming over him after a rebound in the third quarter, tensions temporarily escalated. After standing up, Smart shoved Embiid, which sparked a quick brawl between the teams.
Asserting that Embiid attempted to break his arm, Smart claimed.
Referees reviewed the play and decided that Smart had committed both personal and technical fouls.
Smart claimed, “I could have cracked his head open, but I didn’t.”
It’s basketball, Embiid said. Emotions. the season’s opening match. Boston-Philly rivalry
HONORING RUSSELL
The Celtics performed the first of two ceremonies this season to honour Bill Russell, who passed away on July 31 at the age of 88.