This time embarrassment was on the line.
But after two straight losses in Brooklyn and Atlanta, the most unimaginable insult would have been a loss to the winless 76ers.
The Celtics, with some carryover sluggishness through much of the game, got hold of their better selves just in time, however, with Wednesday night’s 84-80 win over Philadelphia.
Sixers coach Brett Brown had lamented his team’s inability to finish off games, and sure enough, the Celtics took the lead with 30.5 left on a Jae Crowder 3-pointer as the Sixers were busy turning the ball over three straight times.