The Celtics wanted to prove that the fantastic end to last season, where they reached the NBA Finals, was not a one-off and started the 2022-2023 basketball season with a strong victory against another of the East's bogeymen: the Sixers.
What could very well be the next conference final (it is no coincidence that the NBA, always attentive to which games to choose on key dates, decided that this would be the opening game) did not disappoint because both teams showed their cards and their intensity from minute one.
A great third quarter (35-25) by the team coached by Joe Mazzulla after the one-year suspension of Ime Udoka, decided a game in which there was even the first dust-up of the season between Marcus Smart, awarded as the best defender of the 21-22, and Joel Embiid.
Jaylen Brown, with 35 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Jayson Tatum (35-12-4) wanted to prove that they are one of the best pairs in the league against another candidate for this honour, James Harden (35-8-7) and Embiid (26-15-5).
The depth of the bench was the key to the Celtics' win, with their reserves, led by new signing Malcolm Brogdon, scoring 34 points. Doc Rivers' reserves could only contribute 11.
The Greens honoured in the best way the memory of Bill Russell, their legendary star, who passed away last July at the age of 88 and for whom there was an emotional tribute before the game.
Here you can check all the statistics of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers.
