Philadelphia finishes preseason with a 125-120 loss to Boston as star players see heavy minutes on the court.
The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their preseason schedule on Friday evening with a tight 125-120 home loss against the Boston Celtics, featuring heavy minutes from several key stars.
Philadelphia utilized four primary starters during the matchup, including LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey, while VJ Edgecombe was held out due to rest.
The visiting Celtics rested a large portion of their main rotation, keeping key contributors like Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Payton Pritchard off the floor, according to information published by bleache.
Star Player Highlights and First Half Action
All four of the Philadelphia 76ers starters played well into the second half, with Jaylen Brown remaining on the court for the first four minutes and nine seconds of the fourth quarter.
Early in the game, Tyrese Maxey connected with LeBron James for an exciting first-quarter alley-oop, setting an energetic tone for the home side.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, both Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey contributed successfully from beyond the three-point arc.
Second Half Momentum and Embiid Performance
Joel Embiid got heavily involved in the third quarter, sinking a three-pointer and executing a convincing pump fake that led directly to a powerful dunk.
Tyrese Maxey also added to the offensive output later in the period by breaking out on the fast break for a quick two-point basket.
Strong team play helped Philadelphia establish a 94-84 lead heading into the final quarter of the preseason matchup.
Overtime Finish and Regular Season Outlook
To the credit of the Boston Celtics, the visitors mounted a strong comeback in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 115 and force overtime.
Boston ultimately secured the 125-120 victory in the extra session, capping off a competitive exhibition finale at home for the 76ers.
Both squads will now turn their focus to opening night, as the Celtics visit the Detroit Pistons and the 76ers take on the New York Knicks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the preseason finale?
The 76ers played four main starters in the game, which included LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey.
Which Boston Celtics players were rested for the game?
The Celtics rested much of their regular rotation, including star players Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Payton Pritchard.
When do the 76ers and Celtics begin their regular seasons?
Both teams begin their regular seasons on the road on Tuesday, with Boston visiting the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia facing the New York Knicks.
