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Keys to the Game: Celtics 112, 76ers 101 – NBA.com
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers looked like they were on track for their second nailbiting matchup in four nights. At least that’s how it seemed up through the midway point of the third quarter until the C’s tore open the game on a 22-3 run inside Wells Fargo Center.
After being tied 72-72 at the 4:32 mark, Boston closed out the third quarter with an 18-3 stretch before continuing strong into the final frame.
Kornet started the run with an and-one lay-up. Sam Hauser then doubled Boston’s lead to six with a deep 3 before Payton Pritchard knocked down a step-back 2 to make it 80-72.
Philly’s Jaden Springer sunk a triple at the 3:12 mark, which wound up being his team’s only points over an 8:48 stretch, spanning from the 7:05 mark of the third quarter to the 10:17 mark of the fourth.
Boston closed out the third with 10 consecutive points, then opened up the fourth with four more before Philly finally scored again. By then, it was too late for the Sixers. The Celtics had turned a 72-all tie into a 94-75 lead, and they were able to coast to a 112-101 victory, the second in four nights against their Atlantic Division rival.
After a couple of tough shooting nights to open the preseason, Sam Hauser bounced back in a big way while starting alongside Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White.
The third-year wing logged 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block while recording a game-best plus-16 in 22 minutes of action. He found his shooting stroke in a 4-of-9 effort from long range, doubling his 3-point volume from the first two games when he shot a combined 2-of-15.
Hauser’s biggest contributions came during the third quarter, of which he played all 12 minutes. That’s when he scored nine of his 15 points while helping to lead Boston on an 18-3 run to close out the frame.
We all knew it was just a matter of time before Hauser’s shot started falling again. After all, he is the most efficient shooter from long range in franchise history (minimum 100 games played).
“Having those two guys out there is different from what we’ve ever had as far as having double bigs in a lineup when it comes to shooting and skill.”
– Joe Mazzulla on the double-big combination of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
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