NBA on Christmas Day live results, updates, highlights, analysis: Knicks triumph despite Victor Wembanyama show

Philly up 116-111 with 6.2 seconds left, and on defense.

Fouling here would be… horrific.

Late surge by Boston, due to a plethora of Philly mistakes, has kept the Celtics in it. What a meltdown by the Sixers.

Celtics just down five

Tatum and Brown established themselves in spurts earlier in the game, but have taken major chunks of actual game time off. Can’t afford to have either become bystanders.

Make that 20 points now for Caleb Martin. On just 10 shots.

Sixers up by 15 in what is unquestionably their best game of the season.

Caleb Martin, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent shooting this season, has 14 points on eight shots.

Been a tremendous release valve for the Sixers tonight.

Don’t think the Celtics figured they’d be in a late-game dog fight with the Sixers, but that underscores just how much health factors into a team’s overall level.

The Sixers, playing with all of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, are tied 82-82 with the Celtics as they head into the final frame.

Tatum cans his fourth triple, and the Celtics score the first seven points of the second half.

Jaylen Brown is attempting to find his rhythm, but is just 3-11 from the field with four turnovers.

Halftime in Boston.

Sixers up 66-58.

Embiid with 18 points, and six rebounds. Maxey also with 18 points, and 8 assists.

Jayson Tatum finally came alive late, finishing the first half with 16 points and three made triples.

Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard have both struggled. A combined 2-of-14 shooting.

This is, by far, the best we’ve seen the Sixers this season.

Ball is moving, defense on a string, excellent shot-profile, and top-tier individual execution by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Boston have some adjustments to make for the second half.

It’s unfair to say the Celtics rely on the three too much, especially as the long ball helped them win a championship last season, but there are games where they flat-out need to generate more paint touches.

This, it appears, is one of those games.

Strong first quarter from Philly, who lead the Celtics 30-25.

Sloppy ball-handling by Boston, who has committed 6 turnovers.

Boston does have seven made triples, but needs to mix it up in the second quarter. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have not gotten downhill a ton.

Sixers getting a real lift from Tyrese Maxey, who has been the heart of the offense early. 10 points, and four assists. Looks the like ankle twist pre-game hasn’t influenced Joel Embiid much either. 7/4 in eight minutes.

Philly looking surprisingly competent in this first quarter.