NBA Scores: Major Takeaways From Sixers-Celtics Matchup

Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, NBA News, NBA Scores
NBA Analysis Network

The first night of the 2022-23 NBA regular season is in the books. The night got started with a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics with a touching tribute pregame for Bill Russell, who passed away earlier this year.

It was a competitive game between two teams that are expecting to challenge for not only Eastern Conference supremacy but contend for a championship in June as well. It went back and forth in the first half, but the Celtics pulled away in the third quarter, which they ended up winning 35-25.

That was all they needed to get an edge in the game, as the Celtics were victorious, winning a very high-scoring game, 126-117. Both teams are usually stifling on defense, but neither had many answers for their opponents offensively as the teams combined to shoot 53.1 percent from the field overall and 36.2 percent from 3-point range.

What were some of the takeaways from the first game of the season between these Atlantic Division rivals? Let’s take a deeper dive into things and look at some of the major takeaways from the season opener.

James Harden Is Back

The 76ers had high hopes when they acquired James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the trade deadline in February. They hoped he would be the superstar pairing Joel Embiid needed to get the team over the hump, but he was unable to provide that kind of production. An ailing hamstring held him back.

Now healthy and ready to go after a full offseason of training, he looks to be back as his old self. Harden was unstoppable against the Celtics, pouring in 35 points in a vintage performance. He shot 9-of-14 from the field, knocking down 5-of-9 3-point attempts and a perfect 12-for-12 from the charity stripe. He added eight rebounds and seven assists to round out his stat line.

LATEST NBA NEWS & SCORES: Philadelphia 76ers & Boston Celtics Updates

Performances like that make the 76ers a very difficult team to play against. If Harden is going to do that on the perimeter, Embiid can feast on the interior, giving Philadelphia the inside-out game they desire.

Malcolm Brogdon Is A Huge Upgrade

There wasn’t much that Brad Stevens needed to do with the Celtics’ roster this offseason. They were coming off a trip to the NBA Finals, so it was a strong team already. He made a shrewd move acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers and it looks like it will pay off well.

Brogdon was given a choice by the Pacers to select where he wanted to go. The Toronto Raptors were also involved, but he opted for the Celtics and Boston is certainly happy about that. His debut was an excellent one as he played 24 minutes off the bench, scoring 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting with four assists, two rebounds and two steals.

LATEST NBA NEWS & SCORES: Philadelphia 76ers & Boston Celtics Updates

The Celtics couldn’t ask for more from their new sixth man, as he looks like he will have no issues leading the second unit. Health is the only real concern when it comes to Brogdon, but hopefully, a lesser workload coming off the bench will help keep him fresh and healthier.

Jayson Tatum Steps Up On Interior

Boston suffered a major blow just hours before tip-off against the 76ers. They knew that starting center Robert Wiliams III was going to be out a few weeks as he underwent surgery on his knee again in September. Timetables for his return varied, but it wasn’t expected to be more than a few weeks, putting him on track to return possibly in November or December.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Williams underwent a PRP procedure and could be sidelined into the second half of the season. That would be a tough blow as Williams’s presence in the paint is a big part of the puzzle for the Celtics. Without him, other players are going to have to step up on the boards and in the first game, it was Jayson Tatum who answered the call.

LATEST NBA NEWS & SCORES: Philadelphia 76ers & Boston Celtics Updates

Tatum was very open about how terrible it felt to lose the championship against the Warriors. Not looking for a repeat of that, he got to work this summer as someone determined to win. Against the 76ers, he did his part, as he grabbed 12 rebounds; no one else on the team had more than five.

The Celtics will need more nights like that as long as Williams is sidelined, as he was their best rebounder. He didn’t let that slow him down offensively, as Tatum tied with Jaylen Brown for a team-high 35 points as well.

Philadelphia Needs More From Bench

This offseason, 76ers’ general manager Daryl Morey made some excellent moves, shoring up some holes on the roster and the depth overall. P.J. Tucker, Danuel House Jr., Montrezl Harrell and De’Anthony Melton all were great pickups to help overcome their deficiencies that showed during the postseason.

It is only one game, so things should improve, but it is clear that the 76ers are going to need more impact from their second unit. Their bench scored only 11 points in the game. Boston, on the other hand, had two players outscore them individually; the aforementioned Brogdon with 16 and 15 from Grant Williams, who was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. Overall, the Celtics held a 34-11 edge in bench scoring.

LATEST NBA NEWS & SCORES: Philadelphia 76ers & Boston Celtics Updates

The 76ers have arguably the best scoring quartet in the NBA with Harden, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris. Teams will struggle to keep up with them, but it will be all for naught if the second unit gets blown out of the water in this fashion on a nightly basis.

76ers Share Brutal Injury Update On Tyrese Maxey

Philadelphia 76ers’ guard Tyrese Maxey has been excellent during the 2023-24 NBA regular season. However, it is going to be a little while before we

Boston Celtics Make NBA History Blowing Out Golden State Warriors

The Boston Celtics have been the most dominant team in the NBA throughout the 2023-24 regular season. On Sunday afternoon, they reassured that fact during

Harris, Maxey Lead Sixers To 121-114 Win vs. Hornets

Tobias Harris thrived with a stellar performance of 31 points and 12 rebounds, guiding the 76ers to a 121-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets during