BOSTON – Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla doesn't mind if his team struggles at times as long as they learn and adapt along the way.
Boston had to do this against a 76ers team that limited the Celtics' 3-point shots, which they often use to overwhelm their opponents.
The result was, as Mazzulla later said, one of his best games of the season.
Jaylen Brown scored 31 points and the Celtics earned their ninth straight victory, defeating Philadelphia 117-99 on Tuesday night.
Brown said the win was an example of how this team has grown this season.
“There are a variety of ways to win over the course of a game,” Brown said. “We got to the free throw line, went downhill and scored some points in the paint that helped us balance.”
Jayson Tatum added 29 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to help the NBA-leading Celtics to their 25th straight home win over an Eastern Conference opponent.
Boston won despite making just 5 of 22 3-pointers and committing 14 turnovers. But the Celtics outscored Philadelphia 64-48 in the second half and dominated with a 56-28 rebounding advantage.
“We were able to win in a different way,” Mazzulla said. “We never said we had to win (shoot three-pointers). We always use what the defense gives us and we are one of the best teams at that. And that’s kind of our offensive philosophy: make the best shot and find the best shot.”
Mazzulla said he also enjoyed this game because it was an example of how Brown's game is “defined by playmaking in general.”
“He’s just always in attack mode. “I love what Jaylen does,” Mazzulla said. “He really reads the game and takes advantage of it.”
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 32 points and five assists. Philadelphia has lost four of its last five games and is just 4-8 since Joel Embiid was sidelined with a knee injury.
The 76ers cut their 14-point deficit early in the fourth to 11 and cut Boston's lead to 91-89 with 8:49 to play.
The Celtics responded with 17 straight points, including eight from Tatum, to give them a 107-89 lead with 4:31 remaining.
“A couple missed throws led to a substitution and that opened the game right away,” said Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris.
Boston took a 53:51 lead at halftime, with Brown's 18 points in the first 24 minutes crucial.
Derrick White had three blocks in the first quarter, part of a defensive effort that limited the 76ers to 39% shooting in the half.
The 76ers have had their players slowly recover from injuries since entering the All-Star break, losing five of seven games.
Nicolas Batum (hamstring), De'Anthony Melton (back) and Kyle Lowry (conditioning) all played but were placed on minutes restrictions.
However, that didn't stop Melton from leaving in the second half with back spasms. He went 0-for-2 from the field and recorded one rebound and one assist through nine minutes.
In Lowry's case, it was just his third appearance since he was acquired from Charlotte and signed by the 76ers on February 13th.
The extra bodies gave Philadelphia an early boost of energy as it took an 11-4 lead to open the game. But Boston quickly erased the problem and responded with an 11-0 run.
NEXT
76ers: Host the Hornets on Friday.
Celtics: Host the Mavericks on Friday.
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