The Celtics did not look good in the first half of their eventual win over the Sixers on Sunday.
Tyrese Maxey, who spoiled Boston’s Christmas Day outing last month, was in the process of torching them again. He hit four of his first five 3-point attempts, and his confidence was overflowing as Philadelphia jumped out to a 17-point halftime lead.
The Celtics’ defense looked porous, even with Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George in street clothes. The listlessness on defensive rotations and closeouts that plagued Boston during select moments throughout the season had returned.