PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers played host to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in a game that featured a lot of emotions on both sides. The contest featured Jaylen Brown vs. Jayson Tatum as the two faced off for the first time since the trade while also featuring the return of Paul George to Philadelphia after two years with the Sixers.
The Celtics opened up a 16-point lead as they were able to get in a rhythm with their 3-point shooting and George was able to make an impact right away against his former team on both ends of the floor. The Celtics eventually walked away with a 123-101 win with George scoring 36 points and pulling down five rebounds for Boston.
Tyrese Maxey had 24 points and four assists for the Sixers while Joel Embiid had 16
points and six rebounds. LeBron James had 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, Brown had 13 points and five rebounds, and VJ Edgecombe had eight points, five rebounds, and four assists. Dean Wade added eight points and nine boards off the bench.
Here are the player grades following the loss:
Tyrese Maxey: A
Maxey was the only one who found a rhythm on the offensive end in the early going. He put his head down, got to the basket, and came up with some tough finishes. He was then able to get going with his jumper and throw the Sixers offense on his back as Philadelphia looked a bit disjointed against this Celtics defense at times. If it weren’t for Maxey, the Sixers would have found themselves in a larger deficit in the early going. The shots he made in the third were fantastic. He got going with the 3-ball and there was nothing the Celtics could do about it. He continues to establish himself as one of the top guards in the league.
VJ Edgecombe: B-minus
One has to give Edgecombe credit. The second-year guard was terrific defensively. Whether it was chasing Payton Pritchard around on the perimeter, bodying up Tatum, or even having to take on George, the Sixers could rely on him to make life tough for them. He crashed the glass and made plays for others, which offsets his struggles a bit as he was able to be productive. He came up with some tough buckets after halftime, but overall, Edgecombe had a tough time really getting into a rhythm with the shots he received.
Jaylen Brown: D
It felt like Brown was trying to prove a point in the early going of this one. There were some frosty moments between he and Tatum pregame and before tip off and it felt like Brown was trying to make things happen rather quickly and it led to some missed shots and a few turnovers. He had a tough night overall as he wasn’t able to convert on his open looks, he got into foul trouble, and just wasn’t as impactful as he normally is.
LeBron James: C
The future Hall of Famer had some trouble in the early going. He had a tough time defending Tatum as the Celtics star was just too quick for him at times. James then had trouble converting on some looks in the paint despite being able to get all the way to the basket. To his credit, he was able to help in the rebounding department until he was able to get going in the third. He made some big plays after halftime as he was able to finally find that rhythm he was looking for. He moved the scoreboard with his work in the paint and was helpful on the glass and as a playmaker. Overall, not a great night for James, but he was able to make things happen for Philadelphia after halftime.
Joel Embiid: C-plus
The big fella got off to another slow start as his efficiency continues to escape him a bit. His only saving grace was that he was able to draw fouls on Celtics big men Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson. He was able to get to the foul line and help get the scoreboard moving in that sense. He took a hard fall at the end of the first half and he limped back on defense before the half ended. After the injury scare, Embiid did open the third quarter with a 3 from the top of the key for his first triple since the home opener back on Oct. 22. It was also his first field goal of the night as he was 0-for-6 at halftime. The Sixers have to find a way to get the big fella going on the offensive end.
Dean Wade: A
Once again, Wade just made an impact. He was tough defensively against Tatum as he was able to force him into some tough looks while also helping on the glass and providing some scoring. He had an offensive putback in the paint and then drifted out and knocked down a catch-and-shoot opportunity on a 3 in the corner. Overall, he had a great night off the bench as he did the little things while also finding a rhythm on offense with his shot.
Anfernee Simons: C-minus
Simons hopped off the bench and pumped in some much-needed offense. He knocked down a tough jumper at the end of the first and then drilled a corner 3 to help space the floor. However, it was a tough night defensively as the Celtics went at him off the dribble to get to the basket.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: C-minus
It was a tough initial stint for Caldwell-Pope as he missed an open 3 from the perimeter and then allowed a layup backdoor as he lost track of his assignment. Overall, a quiet game for KCP as he had trouble on both ends of the floor.
Jabari Walker: C
Continuing to fill in with Adem Bona sidelined, Walker stepped in and gave the Sixers some solid production. He was tough on the glass and was able to get some points on the board, but there were moments when the Celtics were able to score in the paint against him due to the lack of size.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Jaylen Brown, Sixers drop battle to Celtics at home
