The Boston Celtics overcame a sluggish start and surged past the Philadelphia 76ers 114-98 on Sunday night at TD Garden, becoming the fourth team this season to reach 40 victories.
Neemias Queta delivered a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds, recording his 11th double-double of the campaign. The center also added three blocks and has now posted three double-doubles with at least two blocks over his last five games.
Boston trailed by 10 in the opening quarter while shooting 8-for-26 from the field. Philadelphia controlled the tempo early and built its lead behind efficient half-court execution.
The Celtics responded with a 15-6 run to erase the deficit and carried a 62-50 advantage into halftime. They outscored the 76ers 36-22 in the second period and never trailed again.
Jaylen Brown matched Queta with 27 points, adding eight rebounds and eight assists. Derrick White contributed 21 points and eight assists as the hosts totaled 27 assists on 40 made baskets.
Queta dominated the first half with 16 points and 10 rebounds in under 14 minutes. His interior presence set the tone on both ends and limited second-chance opportunities.
Philadelphia cut a 16-point second-half margin to 103-97 with just over four minutes remaining. Queta answered by scoring Boston’s next eight points, extending the lead to 111-98 and sealing the outcome.
The Celtics won the rebounding battle 59-37 and collected 19 offensive boards. They shot 44% overall and 16-for-49 from three, while converting 18-of-21 at the free-throw line.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 33 points on 12-of-34 shooting and added six assists. VJ Edgecombe supplied 23 points, but Philadelphia shot 40% from the field and managed just 21 assists.
Andre Drummond recorded 12 rebounds and four assists, yet the visitors struggled to generate consistent stops after halftime. The 76ers committed only six turnovers, but second-chance points and paint production favored Boston.
Baylor Scheierman, playing with a splint on his fractured left thumb, drained a corner three at the halftime buzzer. The shot extended momentum heading into the break.
With the win, Boston improved to 40-20 and has won six of its last seven. Philadelphia fell to 33-27, snapping a three-game winning streak.
The 76ers host San Antonio on Tuesday, while the Celtics travel to Milwaukee on Monday in a matchup between Eastern Conference contenders.
