76ers-Celtics Game Review
Boston, MA (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics are once again in the driver's seat in the Atlantic Division after dismantling the struggling Philadelphia 76ers, 103-79, at TD Garden.
The Celtics' seventh win in nine games, coupled with the Sixers' fourth straight loss, gives Boston a three-game division over Philadelphia and the New York Knicks with 10 games remaining.
Kevin Garnett led five Celtics in double figures with 20 points, while Brandon Bass and Paul Pierce chipped in 18 and 17 points, respectively. Rajon Rondo handed out 15 assists, while fellow backcourt mates Avery Bradley and Ray Allen combined for 28 points.
The Sixers, who had led or were tied for the division lead from December 29- March 30, were paced by Nikola Vucevic's 14 points and 13 rebounds. They are now tied with the Knicks for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Holding a 25-22 lead entering the second quarter, the Celtics clamped down defensively and held the Sixers without a field goal during an 18-2 run that yielded a 45-26 advantage.
Allen highlighted the eight-minute spurt with a pair of three-pointers, and Boston went into the locker room holding a 50-36 cushion.
The Sixers shot 6-of-22 (27 percent) in the second quarter and committed their season average in turnovers (11) in the first half alone.
The trend continued in the third, thanks to Garnett scoring on consecutive possessions to jump-start an 11-0 run, pushing the difference to 61-38 less than 3 1/2 minutes into the second half.
The lead reached as high as 28, and the visitors never seriously threatened their 84-63 deficit entering the fourth.
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