Boston’s Jayson Tatum, right, and Derrick White celebrate after the Celtics’ 110-107 win over the 76ers on Saturday night in Philadelphia. /Matt Slocum/Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Tatum, naturally, took all the best parts of the Boston Celtics’ win for himself. The team trusted him to take the final shot – the All-Star delivered as he nailed the game-winning 3-pointer. As the best player on the best team in the league, Tatum’s done that multiple times throughout his career.
But had it not been for the Celtics depth, there wouldn’t have been a game-winning opportunity to begin with. That’s where Boston continues to flex its muscles: Even when their best player was off his game Saturday, they still had enough production to push their division rivals. While Tatum was a huge part of the 110-107 win over the Sixers, he was also just a part of the Celtics’ overall team victory.
“Every night, we have so much depth that it can be anyone any night stepping up and doing it,” said Celtics forward Al Horford. “We’re playing for something bigger than getting numbers individually. We’re trying to get wins and we’re trying to do it as a group. I think tonight was a good example of that.”
In a team-wide effort, the Celtics seemingly took turns on who would step on at any given point in the game. Jaylen Brown scored 26 points as the Celtics went to him multiple times throughout the night. Horford rained 3-pointers – including on three straight possessions – that helped boost Boston back into the game after it fell behind by 15 points in the third quarter.
So, yes, Tatum only scored 18 points on 7-for-17 shooting on an uncharacteristic slow night. But the Celtics didn’t miss a beat, finding production elsewhere. That’s the luxury of this roster, where another All-Star picks up the scoring slack and NBA-level starters are coming off the bench.
Robert Williams III had 14 points and eight rebounds on a perfect 7 for 7 from the floor. There was also Derrick White’s huge night as he put up 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting, sliding in as an impressive sixth-man option. White was a plus-25 in his 25 minutes as he also locked down the defensive end when the Celtics needed it. Grant Williams was also a factor, playing 29 minutes and guarding Joel Embiid for multiple stretches.
“We understand that we have a lot of talented guys on the team,” White said. “You can’t play everybody. Some nights it’s going to be you, some nights it’s going to be Malcolm (Brogdon), some nights it’s going to be Sam (Hauser). It could be everybody and we trust everybody on the team. It’s just that understanding and every time I’m out there, just try to bring the same energy and effort and try to help the team every minute I’m out there.”
The Celtics are also at full strength for the first time all season, featuring their double big lineup for the second straight start. That means Coach Joe Mazzulla needs to juggle the rotation and minutes depending on matchups and who’s hot. Mazzulla featured what was essentially an eight-man rotation Saturday. Hauser only got two minutes before he was subbed off the floor.
“Each time, a different player went on a run at both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla said. “That helped us, whether it was Jaylen, Al, D-White and Malcolm and (Marcus) Smart at the end of the game executing. So it just goes to our depth and it goes to our guys just having the mindset of knowing when it’s their time, they’re going to execute.”
BROWN HAS BEEN a part of the Celtics’ rivalry with the 76ers dating back to being drafted in 2016 and that intensity was on full display Saturday.
There was plenty of vitriol that came Brown and his teammates’ way during the win and one Philadelphia fan went over the line according to the All-Star.
“I started talking to one of the fans but it got a little excessive, a little disrespectful and stuff like that,” Brown told Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston. “Even before the game, I was entering the arena and people were saying, ‘I hope you tear your ACL.’ I understand people care and they love the team they cheer for but I think it gets a little excessive at times.”
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