Celtics

The Celtics play the Sixers on Tuesday in the first game of the season.

But the hierarchy of the locker room appears to be set with notable veterans like Horford, Marcus Smart and more alongside Tatum and Brown. But it’s a great opportunity that we have and we can’t look past it. That could result in a tight playoff race that lasts until the end of the season. The East is deep this season; a slight stumble in the standings could result in an unfavorable matchup. The Celtics, Bucks and Sixers appear to be the favorites, but teams like the Heat, Cavaliers, Raptors and more could be dangerous if their players take the next step. [That brings the Celtics to the 2022-23 season ](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/five-bold-celtics-predictions-for-2022-23-season-as-boston-eyes-nba-title.html)as title favorites and the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

SportsLine's computer model just revealed its NBA picks for Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics on opening night 2022.

- Celtics vs. Tatum leads the way as a two-time All-NBA selection after a 2021-22 season in which he averaged 26.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. With opponents averaging only 21.6 assists per game against Boston, nothing comes easy, and the Celtics also finished No. The Celtics led the NBA in defensive efficiency last season, yielding only 106.2 points per 100 possessions. 2 in the league with 5.6 blocks per game last year. Meanwhile, Harden posted 20.2 points, 9.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds across 33 games with the 76ers last season. Sixers](https://www.sportsline.com/nba/game-forecast/NBA_20221018_PHI@BOS/). Embiid is the NBA's reigning scoring champion, averaging 30.6 points per game last season. Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston at -3 in the latest 76ers vs. The model went a stunning 88-60 on all top-rated [Jayson Tatum](/nba/players/2268018/jayson-tatum/) and the [Boston Celtics](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BOS/boston-celtics/) host [Joel Embiid](/nba/players/2135528/joel-embiid/) and the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/PHI/philadelphia-76ers/) during 2022 [NBA](/nba/) opening night. Tip-off at TD Garden in Boston is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Celtics will tip off the new NBA season Tuesday night in Boston, and sit among the favorites to win it all come season's end.

FiveThirtyEight has the Milwaukee Bucks, another favorite in some sports books, to finish 49-33, and the Brooklyn Nets to finish 45-37. They're also projecting that Boston's talented offense and dominant defense will give the team a plus-6.1 point differential per game, which is also the best in the league. (They were a little too high on the Celtics, remaining confident in the team's chances all the way up to their Game 6 loss to the Warriors.) They are predicting Boston to win the most games in the regular season and are giving the C's a 21 percent chance to end the year as NBA champs.

The Philadelphia 76ers open the 2022-23 season on the road against the rival Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

- Guard – James Harden They are dealing with adversity at the moment as they are dealing with the fallout from the Ime Udoka situation, but they are still going to be a tough opponent for Philadelphia. The Celtics offer a nice opening night test for the Sixers to see where they’re at.

The Philadelphia 76ers will take on their first test against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

The first two games won’t tell the 76ers if they need to improve or not. “It’s about understanding what we need to do and what we’re trying to accomplish running our game plans,” said Sixers reserve De’Anthony Melton. To say the Sixers are facing a tough test at the beginning of the year would be an understatement.

The Celtics are firmly title contenders, but it'll be a difficult path back to the NBA Finals considering a loaded East.

The season finally starts Tuesday against the Sixers as the Celtics look to hang their 18th banner at the Garden. Celtics would be a great playoff series and I’m hoping to see that in the East Finals. It just takes a lot of luck to make a Finals run even if you’re the best team in the league. The vibes around the team during training camp have been normal (in a good way) with Mazzulla at the helm and he’s leaning into the team’s strengths so far in a good way with their roster limitations and injuries. The ceiling is obviously an NBA championship, but it’s a long season and who knows what they’ll look like by the playoffs. I don’t see them getting past the Bucks in the East postseason, though, barring one more notable move to add a proven wing or big that’s necessary to get past Giannis Antetokounmpo and company. Terada: I think Pritchard’s the guy on the outside looking in. [my five bold predictions that went up Monday](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/five-bold-celtics-predictions-for-2022-23-season-as-boston-eyes-nba-title.html), which is slightly above the over/under of 53.5. The confidence in his jump shot will always be something to watch for, but he looked rock solid in that area during the preseason. The rest of the cast is filled with contributors, ranging from Marcus Smart to Malcolm Brogdon to Al Horford and more. Mazzulla looks intent on going smaller out of necessity but that opens the door to some fun, fast-paced offense all year long with this group. [The Celtics open their season Tuesday against the 76ers](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/jayson-tatum-eager-for-celtics-opener-against-76ers-its-like-the-first-day-of-school.html) with expectations still high despite the late drama from the offseason.

I decided to go full on optimist for these, so buckle up all you realists (and if we're being real, let's just call you pessimists). Jayson Tatum and Jaylen ...

It won’t be easy, first they’ll have to go through a first round matchup with the scrappy Finally, the Celtics will have to face and defeat the [Denver Nuggets](https://www.denverstiffs.com) to win the [NBA Finals](https://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals). Then again, near as I can tell, no Finals contender has ever suspended their coach for the year, so we’re in unchartered territory here. Stevens has traded his first rounder 3 years in a row and will be tempted to do so again. The MVP award typically favors the best player on the best team. The regular season is almost upon us.

Remember when it looked like the Boston Celtics might have a relatively boring offseason? So much for that. The Celtics entered the summer, on the heels of ...

He’s also a veteran presence who already seems to be [meshing well](https://nesn.com/2022/10/blake-griffin-praises-off-the-charts-celtics-intensity-maturity/) in the locker room. That obviously leaves the Celtics [thin in the frontcourt](https://nesn.com/2022/10/joe-mazzulla-gives-update-on-robert-williams-injury-recovery/), to the point where they signed Blake Griffin to help minimize the blow. [played through a knee injury](https://nesn.com/2022/09/hurt-again-does-robert-williams-regret-playing-through-injury/) in the postseason. [already is familiar](https://nesn.com/2022/09/who-is-celtics-joe-mazzulla-let-his-high-school-coach-tell-you/) with Boston’s system and the personalities in the locker room. The 23-year-old is a solid 3-and-D player who likely will be relied upon for big minutes this season, especially early on in Robert Williams’ absence, and there even is an opportunity for him to expand his game ahead of [the trade for](https://nesn.com/2022/10/malcolm-brogdon-explained-decision-to-leave-pacers-join-celtics/) Malcolm Brogdon. There were the [Kevin Durant trade rumors](https://nesn.com/2022/08/kevin-durant-trade-rumors-this-celtics-offer-was-best-nets-received/), with Jaylen Brown [again the focal point](https://nesn.com/2022/08/with-kevin-durant-option-gone-celtics-next-move-should-be-obvious/) of reports and speculation. Speaking of Griffin, the Celtics are going to need him, especially in Williams’ absence. 23 that he [underwent an arthroscopic procedure](https://nesn.com/2022/09/celtics-injury-updates-robert-williams-danilo-gallinari/) that would sideline him from basketball activities for 8 to 12 weeks, meaning Boston might not have Williams until the new calendar year. (+425), Giannis Antetokounmpo (+600), Joel Embiid (+650), Kevin Durant (+800), Nikola Joki? (+900) and Stephen Curry (+1200). There was the Danilo Gallinari signing (and his subsequent [torn ACL](https://nesn.com/2022/10/celtics-forward-danilo-gallinari-provides-acl-injury-update/)).

Bold predictions for the upcoming Boston Celtics 2022-2023 NBA season from Felger & Mazz executive producer James Stewart.

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Here are 7 prop bets for opening night between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics from TD Garden.

Before the game tips off at 7:30 p.m. The Philadelphia 76ers open the season against the Boston Celtics on the road at TD Garden as they get set to begin another 2022-23 season and another title quest. The Sixers and the Celtics figure to be among the top contenders in the East in the upcoming season and it will be a nice test for both teams.

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left knee Monday to continue to promote healing and recovery, ...

He dealt with knee soreness and fluid buildup throughout the postseason run, missing games during the second round and conference finals before ramping up his minutes in the NBA Finals against the [Golden State Warriors](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/warriors/). Last season, Williams emerged as one of the league’s top defenders in his first season as a full-time starter, making the NBA’s All-Defensive second team and finishing seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The 25-year-old was experiencing discomfort in the knee as he ramped up activity in preparation for training camp, which prompted him to opt for a clean-up procedure, The Athletic reported at the time.

Ime Udoka is dealing with a season-long suspension handed down by the Celtics for having an inappropriate relationship with a team staffer.

[crude language](https://nesn.com/2022/09/nba-rumors-ime-udokas-crude-language-found-amid-scandal/)” prior to the start of the relationship. “I believe that part of the reason (Ime Udoka) was suspended, but not fired is because the Boston Celtics did not want him to end up in Brooklyn. and because there was nothing that was put out there that said it was a crime, I believe that if Ime Udoka had been fired by the Boston Celtics, the Brooklyn Nets would have fired Steve Nash and brought (Udoka) back and he would be the coach of the Brooklyn Nets right now.”

A Boston Celtics team that reached the NBA Finals last season enters 2022-23 under an interim coach after Ime Udoka's suspension.

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"You never want to take a bad deal for no one around you," Grant Williams said at Celtics shootaround this morning. "The role that I play as VP of the ...

“It doesn’t mean that the deal doesn’t get done next year, it doesn’t mean that a deal won’t get done in the future. The Celtics project to enter next offseason with $149.5-million in cap commitments against a projected $134-million cap. This roster will become as expensive as any other quickly, increasing some urgency to get a team-friendly deal done with Williams, who posted one great season in three years. We’re on the right steps. The NBA is [reportedly anticipating a new television deal for the 2025 season](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/22/nba-is-next-up-for-a-big-rights-increase-and-75-billion-is-the-price.html). “The role that I play as VP of the player’s association, you understand where the league is going in the future and where the league is currently at. [Multiple reports indicated progress made between the two sides](https://twitter.com/JaredWeissNBA/status/1582129994670563328), but with a comparable player in Williams’ class like Keldon Johnson receiving a four-year, $80 million contract ($74M guaranteed) with the Spurs, [it set a high bar for Williams to hold out on](https://t.co/gH9lXVw7IB). So we’re on the right path. For me, it wasn’t a matter of life-changing money, it was a matter of value, not only for this year, but for years to come. [NBA Draft](https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft) receiving extensions, Williams headlined [the 13 who did not alongside Suns forward Cam Johnson and ](https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/10/2022-nba-rookie-scale-extension-recap.html) [76ers](https://www.libertyballers.com) forward Matisse Thybulle. The Pistons, [Celtics](https://www.celticsblog.com) could not come to terms on a rookie scale extension before Monday’s deadline, setting the versatile big man up for restricted free agency next summer.

Williams averaged 8.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game in the playoffs, numbers not fully capturing his impact on Boston's run to the ...

I care about every single player in this league that has to deal with free agency; that has to deal with the issues that we have within this league. [Robert Williams Undergoes PRP Injection That May Delay His Season Debut](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/robert-williams-undergoes-prp-injection-that-may-delay-his-season-debut) [Celtics and Grant Williams Unlikely to Agree to Contract Extension Before Regular Season, But Neither Side at Fault](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/celtics-and-grant-williams-unlikely-to-agree-to-contract-extension-before-regular-season-but-neither-side-at-fault) [Noah Vonleh Makes the Celtics' Opening Night Roster](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/noah-vonleh-makes-the-celtics-opening-night-roster) [The Top 5 Plays from the Celtics-Raptors Preseason Finale](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/the-top-5-plays-from-the-celtics-raptors-preseason-finale) [What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. It was a matter of value, not only for this year, but for years to come. For us, it's a matter of perspective." "It's one of those things that you never want to take a bad deal for no one around you. Signing for that amount now, even with raises throughout the contract, would likely leave a lot of money on the table.

What will be the Celtics' biggest weakness? The biggest unknown as they attempt a finals return? Jay King and Jared Weiss set up the season.

The results over 121 postseason minutes weren’t particularly promising, especially during the finals, when the Celtics were blasted with that group on the court. For a team that nearly won a title a few months ago, there are many unknowns they’ll have to answer in the opening weeks of the season. [Derrick White](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/derrick-white-btl33fruaaNWhIrW/) will start in a smaller first unit ( [which I wrote about Monday](https://theathletic.com/3699251/2022/10/17/celtics-small-lineup-robert-williams/)).

The latest on Robert Williams' latest knee injury likely means the eventual return timeframe for the Celtics big man needs to be adjusted.

The Celtics are going to be very cautious.” But this is certainly a situation to monitor. He is one of the most important players on the Celtics’ roster. Even that might be optimistic, according to Charania, who cautioned against the idea of a relatively early return. They will have to do so without Williams, [who is recovering](https://nesn.com/2022/09/celtics-rumors-robert-williams-to-miss-start-of-season-due-to-surgery/) from another knee issue. Williams, according to Charania, received a platelet-rich plasma injection earlier this week in that surgically repaired knee.

Philadelphia opens the 2022-23 NBA season against the reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston, which is facing plenty of questions ahead of Tuesday's ...

The 76ers covered in three of four meetings when these teams met last year, and they pose a serious matchup issue down low for a thin Boston frontcourt. The Celtics had the answers to such an attack last year behind their ultra-switchable rotation, but what version of this team will we see this year? He feels like the missing piece in the backcourt that this team has sought for years to pair with Embiid, even if Harden isn’t at 100% of what we expected at last year’s deadline. There was a moment last year, however brief, that the 76ers looked like the best team in the NBA. Yet the roster is as healthy on Tuesday as it’ll be all season, and that’s a problem for opposing teams. The encore starts Tuesday in a showdown with, fittingly, the reigning East champion and preseason title favorite Celtics, who have plenty of their own questions entering the 2022-23 season.

The 76ers play their first regular season game on Tuesday night Oct. 18 in Boston, facing the Celtics in the NBA season opener.

Malcolm Brogdon (19.1 PPG) was traded from Indiana to Boston in July, and the Celtics also signed Danilo Gallinari (11.7 PPG). Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown averaged 26.9 and 23.6 points per game, respectively, for the Celtics last season. Gallinari is out, however, as the Celtics announced early last month that the 15-year veteran was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee suffered while playing for Italy in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Aug. Robert Williams (left knee arthroscopy) is also out. Joe Mazzulla, 34, is the Interim Head Coach. - In the preseason finale on Oct. 22, the Celtics announced a season-long suspension for Head Coach Ime Udoka due to violations of team policies. “I think he got mad in our last preseason game. - Tyrese Maxey was the team’s leading scorer. “But it's going to be so much better when you get to the end and you have a chance to really win it. "It's going to be tough, and we're going to go through a lot throughout the season,” said Tucker. “This season's going to be all about us, as a group, as an organization.

The 2022-2023 NBA season is finally here, and the Philadelphia 76ers will take part in tipping off the new year with a matchup against the Boston Celtics.

Over the weekend, the Celtics downgraded Smart to day-to-day as they prepared for Tuesday’s matchup. Fortunately for the Celtics, Smart won’t miss the action as they begin defending their conference title. Just like Smart, Brogdon had an injury scare during the Celtics’ preseason finale. According to a recent update, it seems Williams’ setback will keep him off the floor for a lot longer than initially expected. It was already clear the Celtics would miss a couple of players on Tuesday, but some other prospects were up in the air as well. While competing in EuroBasket over the summer, Gallinari suffered a critical knee injury.

Two teams that appear to have realistic expectations to win the 2022-23 NBA championship will tip off the NBA season Tuesday night when the Philade...

Before the game, the Celtics will pay tribute to the late Bill Russell. And his ability to organize and understand all that comes with running a team during a season." "I believe strongly in him and his ability to lead people, his ability to galvanize a room and get it behind him. The 76ers also obtained De'Anthony Melton in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies and added P.J. 4 seed in the East and fell in the second round to the Miami Heat. The Celtics won last season's Eastern Conference championship before falling to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

The NBA is back as the Boston Celtics open up the 2022-23 season against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tuesday night's game will air on TV via TNT.

[Sling](https://www.sling.com/) [WatchTNT](https://www.tntdrama.com/watchtnt) [Boston Celtics](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/) open up the 2022-23 season against the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/jayson-tatum-eager-for-celtics-opener-against-76ers-its-like-the-first-day-of-school.html). But now the team will look to prove that last year’s NBA Finals run is no fluke as [Jayson Tatum](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/why-jayson-tatums-ejection-bothered-celtics-star-in-montreal-preseason-game.html), [Jaylen Brown](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/jaylen-brown-explains-why-celtics-are-picking-up-where-they-left-off.html), [Marcus Smart](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/celtics-injury-report-marcus-smart-malcolm-brogdon-fine-after-slight-scares.html) and the rest of a highly rated Celtics team return to the court. On the other side, the 76ers will be looking to move forward with their new core of [Joel Embiid](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/04/joel-embiid-injury-sixers-big-man-out-indefinitely-after-suffering-orbital-fracture-mild-concussion-report.html) and [James Harden](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/07/why-james-harden-deal-with-sixers-matters-for-celtics-contending-chances-in-the-present-and-future.html). Philadelphia went 6-10 in Atlantic Division play and 27-14 on the road last season. The game will air on TV via TNT. Tuesday night’s game will also feature ceremonies [honoring late Celtics legend Bill Russell](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/what-jayson-tatum-celtics-said-about-honoring-bill-russell-on-opening-night.html), who died on July 31. [Ime Udoka](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/09/ime-udoka-faces-celtics-suspension-for-improper-consensual-relations-with-staffer-report.html) suspended for the season and a number of wild offseason changes. Fans can watch the game for free by signing up for a trial of [DirecTV](https://www.directv.com/stream/). What TV channel will it air on? 76ers game](https://www.directv.com/stream/)

Robert Williams III will miss this game as he recovers from an off season procedure to clean out the knee that he had surgery on before the playoffs last season ...

Home Game - This is the first home game of the season and hopefully the Celtics will get a boost and extra motivation from the crowd. The team that plays harder and is more aggressive is usually the team that comes out on top. It takes effort to get rebounds and the Celtics must go all out in their effort to beat the Sixers to rebounds. Move the Ball - The Celtics play best when the ball keeps moving and doesn’t stick with one player. The Celtics allowed 17 offensive rebounds per game in the preseason and they have to solve that as they won’t win many games allowing teams to grab that many offensive rebounds. Take Care of the Ball - Last season, one of the Celtics biggest problems was turning the ball over too much. The Celtics must match or exceed the Sixers effort and intensity on defense. He shot 41.0% from the field and 33.0% from beyond the arc. Marcus Smart needs to force Harden to play off the ball and guard him for the pass as well as the shot. Robert Williams III will miss this game as he recovers from an off season procedure to clean out the knee that he had surgery on before the playoffs last season. I listed the starting lineup that the Celtics used in the preseason but they may make a change for this game. They are hoping that Sam Hauser can take a leap in his development and add more scoring off the bench.

Follow all the action live with Yahoo Sports from both opening games.

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The Celtics celebrated the life and legacy of Bill Russell, the NBA and civil rights champion who died this summer, ahead of their season opener Tuesday ...

After Russell died in July at the age of 88, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that, beginning this season, his No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer's table. The amount of respect he receives from people will live on in eternity, and I'm grateful I was able to shake his hand. 6 was permanently retired by the NBA in the wake of his death this summer. Throughout the ceremony, individual spotlights shone on the No. During the peak of racial tensions in our society, he represented a type of nobility and honor that transcended sports.

The Celtics enter 2022-23 with lofty expectations after reaching Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals and bolstering their talented young core with starting-caliber ...

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Boston and Philly made several changes this offseason, though the former also lost its head coach to a one-year suspension.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both had 35 points in the contest, and Tatum also added 12 rebounds and four assists. Against a re-tooled Sixers team that added several new pieces over the summer, the Celtics took over in the second half and pulled out a 126-117 victory. However, they still entered the new season facing plenty of questions after suspending their coach for a year and replacing him with a guy with no previous experience at this level over the offseason.

From video tributes and No. 6 patches to memorable performances, the franchise takes the opportunity to remember its greatest player.

“He meant a lot. He meant a winner. When Russell became player-coach of the Celtics he was he first Black coach in any of the major U.S. The racial and social justice activism that Russell was also a champion of was on display with two Black coaches squaring off against one another. “He represented a nobility and honesty that transcended sport. … He was a true champion both on and off the floor and our gratitude is endless.”

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the opening ...

The uniforms included 11 gold diamonds down the sides, signifying the 11 championships Russell helped bring Boston over a 13-year span during his career. … Shot 71% in the second quarter with no turnovers. The 10-time All-Star frustrated the Celtics, displaying the mobility he was missing a year ago. He was able to get to the free throw line often. The team also wore No. Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com

The Boston Celtics have announced their starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

As for the 76ers, they lost to the Heat in the second round of the NBA Playoffs this past season. They lost to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in six games. The Celtics are coming off a phenomenal season where they were the second seed in the Eastern Conference and made it to the NBA Finals.

The Sixers got a big night from James Harden but dropped their season opener Tuesday night in Boston, falling to a 126-117 loss to the Celtics.

When Embiid didn’t receive a foul call he expected, the Celtics charged down the floor and eventually stretched their lead to nine on a Smart three. He drew Horford on a switch in the second quarter before the Celtics’ defense could settle, pulled the ball out, and hit a step-back triple. Soon after, the Sixers were the team miffed at the officiating when Embiid was whistled for his second foul on a Marcus Smart drive. Embiid misfired on two threes, and Tatum and Brown kept pouring in points. Boston was the better, more aggressive team when the action resumed. The game stopped just 19 seconds into the second half as officials reviewed a dust-up involving Embiid, Brown and Smart. Momentum kept flipping and Brown’s three-pointer gave the Celtics a 38-35 lead. Embiid knocked down a jumper over Williams and also drew his second and third fouls in quick succession. On his second, Embiid gladly accepted a hard double and kicked the ball out for a Tobias Harris three-pointer that capped a 9-0 Sixers run. We have a lot of players that can play and all of them will not play, so we have to figure out what’s the right combination.” If a catch-and-shoot opportunity wasn’t available, every member of the Sixers’ second unit was glad to feed Harden the ball. The first few minutes were frustrating for Embiid, who missed a three-pointer after a pick-and-pop with Harden and turned the ball over trying to lead a fast break.

Boston honored the late 12-time All-Star ahead of its Opening Night game against Philadelphia.

Every NBA court will display a [clover-shaped logo](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1557805004450308097?s=20&t=GrKsiG2LRywoOL-nBmNS2A) with the number 6 on the sideline near the scorer’s table while players throughout the league will also wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys. 12, 2023, when the Celtics face the Grizzlies. The two-time Hall of Famer was a civil rights pioneer. The Celtics also wore their city edition uniforms on Tuesday to pay respect to Russell. [died ](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/07/31/nba-celtics-legend-bill-russell-dies-at-88)on July 31 at the age of 88. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc performed while Celtics guard Jaylen Brown shared a tribute to the NBA icon, sharing what made the Boston legend “great” and how Russell’s greatness went far beyond his 11 championships with the franchise.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 35 points apiece, the Celtics controlled the pace of play in the second half, and Joe Mazzulla got a win in his first ...

Williams added the tax and gave the Celtics a 115-102 lead. At the 9:57 mark, Shake Milton came to meet Brogdon as he brought the ball over half court, and the latter went right by him for a layup to make it 103-94. It was only his second shot of the game, but Boston needs him to continue with the aggressive approach he displayed throughout the preseason. It's not easy to come in cold that late, and he quickly picked up a foul trying to stay with Maxey. Tatum drilled a pair of jump shots and continued his aggressive approach en route to matching Harden for a game-high nine free throws. The second half quickly turned chippy as Smart's arm got caught in-between Embiid's shoulder and his torso, and the latter resolved that by yanking his shoulder away, sending Smart to the floor in pain. Smart got up and confronted Embiid, and Brown got involved, knocking the Sixers' center over, perhaps with some embellishing from Embiid. At the 6:21 mark, Harden again capitalized on the Celtics giving him too much space, drilling a three in front of Al Horford to put Philadelphia ahead 45-43. Their aggressive approach also led to 30 points in the paint and going 13/16 at the charity stripe (81.3 percent). The hosts also got a boost from Brogdon, who went into halftime with ten points. That hurt the Celtics more than the visitors. When the period ended, the Sixers held a 29-24 advantage.

Boston and Philly made several changes this offseason, though the former also lost its head coach to a one-year suspension.

Some of that is on Embiid to do a better job of establishing himself in the post, but some of it is scheme-related. Philadelphia needs to do a better job of helping the big man establish himself down low early and often. On the block is where he has his biggest advantage, and he just puts so much sheer pressure on the defense from that position. In addition to defending in transition better, the Sixers also need to be more aggressive about generating their own offense on the break. One thing that they can do to help themselves is to take better care of the basketball. He provided the team with an additional threat on the offensive end, and an additional player capable of creating his own offense. Brogdon, the 2017 Rookie of the Year, made his debut for the team on Tuesday night, and it went very well. If there's one thing in particular that the Sixers can point to as the reason they came out on the wrong side of this one, their transition defense would be it. Brogdon came off of the bench for Boston, but he played 24 minutes -- fourth most on the team. [most encouraging aspect](https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1582562984693579778) of the evening for the Sixers. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart also added 14 points and seven assists for the Celtics. However, they still entered the new season facing plenty of questions after suspending their coach for a year and replacing him with a guy with no previous experience at the NBA level over the offseason.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 35 points and the Celtics beat the 76ers 126-117 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener.

The 10-time All-Star frustrated the Celtics, displaying the mobility he was missing a year ago. He was able to get to the free throw line often. The 76ers are looking to contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Harden embarking on his first full season in Philadelphia after being swapped for Ben Simmons late last season in a trade with Brooklyn.

The Celtics resembled the team they did during their spectacular turnaround last season, earning a 126-117 win over the 76ers at TD Garden on Tuesday. Jayson ...

Boston regressed to the mean offensively in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia couldn’t orchestrate a comeback. Smart, who fell to the floor, was hit with both a personal and technical foul. The Celtics used an 8-0 flurry, behind Tatum’s continued brilliance, to extend their lead to 90-78. Boston used a strong second quarter to tie the score at 63 heading to halftime. The Celtics jumped out to a 9-2 lead early, firing up an already-rowdy crowd even more. James Harden (35 points) poured in 16 points, hitting all eight of his free throws after the Celtics fouled him on three separate 3-point attempts.

BOSTON (AP) — A scandal off the court cast a shadow over the Boston Celtics entering the preseason.On the court, they opened the regular season looking like ...

… Shot 71% in the second quarter with no turnovers. The uniforms included 11 gold diamonds down the sides, signifying the 11 championships Russell helped bring Boston during his career. The 10-time All-Star frustrated the Celtics, displaying the mobility he was missing a year ago. The team also wore No. He was able to get to the free throw line often. “I think at the end of the game, the ‘Let’s go Celtics! Celtics: Outscored the 76ers 24-2 in fast-break points. “It was a proud moment,” Mazzulla said. “It was just unique and special,” Brown said. … Led 29-24 at the end of the first quarter, with Harden scoring 16 points in the period and going 8 of 8 from the free throw line. He also was effective from the 3-point line, connecting on four in the first half, including a rainbow heave from the top of the key to beat the shot clock late in the second quarter. The 76ers are looking to contend with the top teams in the East with Harden embarking on his first full season in Philadelphia after being swapped for Ben Simmons late last season in a trade with Brooklyn.

James Harden showed up with 35 points, but the rest of his team appeared to still be working out the kinks. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives ...

And then I’m the only one to get a tech.” The 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year subbed in for Embiid with 5 minutes, 10 seconds left in the first quarter. “He meant a lot before I arrived just for what he stood for, what he went through, being the first Black coach and then a winner,” Rivers said. “The thing I remember the most is how emotional he was when we won it [in 2008],” Rivers said. Brown and Embiid then had words while Embiid was on the floor. I don’t think we talk enough about his winning, not just on the NBA level everywhere we went, he won.” He scored 16 of his points while playing the entire first quarter. Russell, a Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA champion, passed away on July 31 at the age of 88. And the Sixers struggled to make stops despite having upgraded the roster with three-and-D players this offseason. It’s the first game. But outside of the Sixers’ Big Four, the team combined to produce 17 points on 7-for-18 shooting (38.8%). The Sixers (0-1) committed 14 turnovers on a night when James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris combined to score 100 of their team’s points.

James Harden got off to an encouraging start, but Joel Embiid and the Sixers' defense looked a step behind as the Celtics cruised to an opening night win.

They were simply trading baskets down 10 by this point, unable to make a serious dent in the lead. The Sixers had their hands full with both Jays, as Jaylen Brown finished with 35 points of his own. They weren’t able to get much of anything going on the offensive end. - The second quarter had a completely different tone from the first, as both offenses came alive. Boston did a good job of knowing when to send double teams at him and making he sure he wasn’t catching the ball near the basket. The audio on the TNT feed was ahead of the game action, which was jarring.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 35 points apiece, the Celtics controlled the pace of play in the second half, and Joe Mazzulla got a win in his first ...

[The Top 5 Plays from Celtics-Sixers Opening Night Matchup](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/the-top-5-plays-from-celtics-sixers-opening-night-matchup) [Here's What Stood Out in Celtics Opening Night Win vs. "I'm super happy for him, making the most out of this opportunity and getting your first win as a head coach on your first try, that's big," Tatum declared, adding, "he's very honest; he doesn't know everything. Sixers](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/heres-what-stood-out-in-celtics-opening-night-win-vs-sixers) [Grant Williams on Not Getting a Contract Extension from Celtics: 'it doesn't mean that a deal won't get done in the future'](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/grant-williams-on-not-getting-a-contract-extension-from-celtics-it-doesnt-mean-that-a-deal-wont-get-done-in-the-future) [Robert Williams Undergoes PRP Injection That May Delay His Season Debut](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/robert-williams-undergoes-prp-injection-that-may-delay-his-season-debut) [Regular Season, But Neither Side at Fault](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/celtics-and-grant-williams-unlikely-to-agree-to-contract-extension-before-regular-season-but-neither-side-at-fault) [Malcolm Brogdon Explains Why He Chose Celtics Over Eastern Conference Rival](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/malcolm-brogdon-explains-why-he-chose-celtics-over-eastern-conference-rival) [Should the Celtics Trade for Jae Crowder?](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/should-the-celtics-trade-for-jae-crowder) On opening night, while honoring Bill Russell and testing themselves against a rival, Mazzulla and the Celtics started the season in the right direction. (We) did a great job maintaining our poise," adding, "once we were able to get back to the flow of the game by not fouling and getting stops, we were able to focus on our execution.” On opening night, the Celtics honored the life and the forever-enduring legacy of Bill Russell; Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 35 points apiece, and Joe Mazzulla earned a win in his first regular-season game as an NBA head coach.

Jayson Tatum has confidence-booster game, James Harden shows lethal touch and 76ers' new faces have rough debuts.

None of the three were major factors in the loss to the Celtics. A fair number of players who played at the same level of Griffin wouldn’t stick around for this. They’ll need to be at their best when the Sixers are matched against the East powers. It’s an inconvenience at best, and a big loss at worst, for Boston as the Celtics make do until then. But Horford is 36 and the Celtics are rather thin at the power positions. It made for an interesting test case against Embiid, who led the league in scoring last season and, for the second time, was runner-up in the Kia MVP voting. He reset over the summer, reduced weight, signed a team-friendly contract extension that allowed the Sixers to add other players and came to camp feeling determined. Also, he was guarded Tuesday by Marcus Smart, the reigning Kia Defensive Player of the Year. He arrived in midseason from Brooklyn and the initial expectations were just too steep and maybe unrealistic. By the way, Brown and Tatum have each had 30-plus points in the same regular season game 13 times in their careers together. Tatum had some terrific transitional moments against Philly where he made defensive stops and followed up with jumpers and layups, especially in the game-changing third quarter when the balance flipped to Boston. Last we saw Tatum, he was tossing bricks in the 2022 NBA Finals and coming up short in performance and energy against the Warriors.

Everything you need to know about 76ers-Celtics and Lakers-Warriors as the 2022-23 season tips off.

Harden then allowed [Jayson Tatum](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065648/jayson-tatum) to coast by him for a layup on the following possession, and Embiid then committed his third foul at the other end. [Marcus Smart](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart) gets tangled up with Philly's [Joel Embiid](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid), who hooked his arm and drew a foul. While [Marcus Smart](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2990992/marcus-smart) was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season, it was Horford (third in NBA) and [Robert Williams III](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066211/robert-williams-iii) (11th) who had the highest Defensive Real Plus Minus (DRPM) scores on the team. For all of the understandable focus on [Stephen Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry)'s heroics in that series, Boston lost because its offense couldn't get it done against Golden State's defense. [LeBron James](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) at power forward. He has already drawn three 3-point shooting fouls, including a completed four-point play, and also became the first player in the NBA to shoot the free throw for the new take-foul rule at the 6:13 mark of the first quarter. [Steph Curry](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry) era, but the franchise has leaned into their total titles in new signage around the Chase Center. [Jaylen Brown](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3917376/jaylen-brown) then came over and got in Embiid's face. [What to know about all 30 teams](/nba/story/_/id/34795174/nba-season-preview-2022-23-contenders-stars-big-questions) [Al Horford](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3213/al-horford) is plus-12 in 18 minutes played even though he's only 1-for-4 from the field for 3 points. [Golden State Warriors](/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors) received their rings after winning their fourth title in the past eight seasons. "We don't want to be one of those teams -- and you very rarely see that in the NBA -- where teams are swaying according to who their opponent is starting," Ham said during his pregame remarks.

Tuesday night's season-opening win provided some catharsis for the Celtics and interim head coach Joe Mazzulla after the turmoil of recent weeks.

I pride myself in the Boston fans and the city of Boston, and when they're cheering for you, it means you're doing something right." "It was a proud moment," Mazzulla said. [Jayson Tatum](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065648/jayson-tatum) and Brown. It's like we're in a relationship, and we're all on the same page and trying to accomplish the same thing. But for Mazzulla, it was the first of what he, and the Celtics, hope will be many wins this season. "It was just in the flow," Tatum said in describing his and Brown's performances. "We have a bunch of guys that can bring it, a bunch of guys that are playmakers for one another, and we trust everybody. We trust everybody to make the right decision, to make the right read, to make the right play. And we control what we can control." Eventually, however, the play resulted in personal and technical fouls being called on Smart -- who was not happy with how it shook out. After Smart fell to the ground following the foul call, he snatched at Embiid's right leg as the he began walking away. For a team that has been through quite a bit over the past several weeks since Celtics head coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the season just days before training camp, it was a cathartic moment.

The Celtics opened their season with a tribute to Bill Russell and a win that would've made him proud.

“Playing in the light of Bill Russell, starting the season off, the memorial ceremony before the game, it was just unique and special,” said Brown. Though, Tuesday night was just the beginning. We have a really good coaching staff. They shot the ball with extreme precision, making 56.1 percent of their shots from the field. “We have a really good team. They took care of the basketball, committing only 10 turnovers.

Jaylen Brown delivered a pregame speech Tuesday ahead of the Celtics' season opener.

[the Celtics delivered in the form of their 126-117 win over the Sixers](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/four-takeaways-as-celtics-beat-76ers-126-117-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-go-off.html) on Tuesday. The Celtics shied away from saying it was a statement game of any kind. Friday tip against the Heat in Miami in what is a rematch of last season’s East Finals. “It was tough to kind of find the words. There was a good reason: [Brown honored Bill Russell, the Celtics and NBA legend](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/10/what-jayson-tatum-celtics-said-about-honoring-bill-russell-on-opening-night.html) who died earlier this year at 88. What he ended up with was a roughly 90-second speech (

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics squared off against Joel Embiid and the 76ers to open the season on Tuesday in a contest between contenders.

It’s like we’re in a relationship, and we’re all on the same page and trying to accomplish the same thing. They made it a point to play fast throughout the preseason, and they reaped the rewards against a Sixers team that isn’t always known for its ability to get back. And in the light of Bill Russell, here on our home floor, it was special.” His presence makes the Celtics’ second unit incredibly dangerous, and lineups with Brogdon, Tatum, and Brown have the potential to be explosive. If there’s a complaint to be had about Tuesday’s game, it’s that the Celtics — predictably, given their personnel — struggled on the defensive glass against the enormous Sixers star, but Vonleh is best known for his ability to gobble up rebounds on both ends, and he was very playable in the final two quarters. The Celtics even limited James Harden a little better in the second half, and the lead ballooned to double digits. But the fact that I was the only one that got I guess something out of that is kind of beyond me. The Celtics defended Joel Embiid the way they usually defend him — with a big and plenty of help defense to throw him off balance. Tatum did not play for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Celtics still built their lead before he checked back in for the rest of the period. “And then I’m the only one who gets a tech. But the Celtics solidified in the paint, and the Sixers didn’t really seem to adjust much. “We both are extremely competitive, both are trying to get better, trying to make our franchise better, trying to make our teammates better as we’re all chasing a championship,” Brown told reporters after the game.

The team honored the life of Bill Russell with a special pre-game ceremony and jersey, while adjusting to the absence of head coach Ime Udoka, ...

Born and raised in Texas, he interned at the San Antonio Express-News, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and The Dallas Morning News before coming to Boston. The fact that they did all of that while fending off Philly’s James Harden and Joel Embiid is enough to get reactionaries buying way too much stock in a team that’s played all of one game. “…But, you know a win is a win. Although the seismic news came just days before the team was set to start training camp, Mazzulla has been seen as a calm figure throughout. Along with a video tribute and pre-game performances by Boston poet laureate Porsha Olayiwola and singer Aloe Blacc, the team wore [new jerseys](https://twitter.com/E_Bustillos4/status/1582508650496937985?s=20&t=OxBGVjzhZXkkHEFSOhBREw) designed to honor Russell’s legacy. “’Cause everywhere I went, you know, somebody mentioned, ‘Good job in the Finals, next year, you guys did well,’” he said.

A tough loss to Golden State ended Boston's championship hopes last season. The lessons from that series are already showing.

In their pregame huddle, the Celtics reminded one another to “honor the man” with their work that evening. [the business](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/sports/basketball/stephen-curry-nba-finals-golden-state.html) — in Game 6 of the N.B.A. Tuesday’s game was preceded by a ceremony to honor him that included [remarks from Brown](https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1582518825966182400?s=20&t=-1v69_U5sLJJvI1MyxKtvg) — “Our gratitude is endless,” he said — and [a new work by Porsha Olayiwola](https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1582516123609681920?s=20&t=-1v69_U5sLJJvI1MyxKtvg), Boston’s poet laureate. The Celtics wore special jerseys embroidered with 11 diamond patches, a nod to the 11 championships that the team won with Russell. Curry left Boston with [another championship](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/16/sports/basketball/golden-state-wins-nba-championship.html), and Tatum and Brown were left to contemplate how they could take the next step. The Celtics appear determined to play hard and play fast. “And I think playing with pace was one of the things they wanted to improve.” Brown shot 14 of 24 from the field, while Tatum shot 13 of 20 and grabbed 12 rebounds. Instead, the Celtics seemed to rededicate themselves to their singular goal of winning a championship. His [sudden absence](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/sports/basketball/jayson-tatum-ime-udoka-suspension-celtics.html) could have been disruptive. And if Joe Mazzulla, the team’s 34-year-old interim coach, is daunted by the task ahead of him, he hardly showed it Tuesday night as the Celtics opened their season with a 126-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. BOSTON — The Celtics talked an awful lot in training camp about the value of experience.

The Boston Celtics looked every bit the part of an NBA title contender in an impressive Opening Night win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’ll be a long journey In his debut for the Green Team, the former Indiana Pacer scored 16 points off the bench in just 24 minutes. Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving came to town once upon a time, yet that experiment didn’t quite work out. Don’t be surprised if Boston breaks out a similar defensive strategy to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo when the Milwaukee Bucks come to town on Christmas Day. That same defense showed up against the Sixers and pestered them all night, despite the absence of Robert Williams III. All in all, it was a perfect night for the talented duo. [October 19, 2022] But right now, there aren’t many tandems in the NBA that match up with Tatum and Brown. So is this the Celtics team that will raise the elusive 18th championship banner? That’s already an improvement from the early games of last season. James Harden and Joel Embiid combined for 61 points against Boston, yet it wasn’t enough to surpass But when it came down to it, the game was about star power, and the Celtics had [more stardom](https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-goes-full-paul-pierce-with-epic-feat-not-seen-in-18-years/) in their 126-117 home win over the Sixers.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown dropped 35 apiece, newcomer Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 16, Grant Williams didn't miss a shot, and the Celtics showed Joel Embiid ...

[Marcus Smart](https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/marcus-smart?b) [tangled with and then tripped Embiid](https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/marcus-smart-jaylen-brown-joel-embiid-dirty-play-celtics-76ers?b), who dives like a 7-foot Neymar. [convincing 126-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-vs-76ers-takeaways-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-lead-way-opener?b). Tatum and Brown are going to be a problem all season as they make their bid for best duo in the NBA. By that standard, there's only one team in town to watch this year. Tatum earned a tech on an [Al Horford](https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/al-horford?b) foul call that was overturned. Williams didn't force his offense, Smart played the role of pest to perfection, and the ageless Horford remains stout. The Celtics were knocked down and now they're getting back up like Micky Ward, ready to show that the fight hasn't even begun. Nothing against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton in Milwaukee, or Jimmy Butler and Co. The C's experienced a brief resurgence while winning it all in 2008, but for half that season, the pursuit of perfection in Foxboro dominated our attention. Tatum and Brown torched slower defenders in the open floor, and Brogdon, Smart, and Derrick White pushed the pace. They stunned us by reaching last year's Finals, where a better, deeper, more experienced Warriors team showed them how it's done. The new Big Three made another Finals run in 2010, but we recognized it as their last stand.

BOSTON — In their three separate press conferences after losing to the Celtics 126-117 at TD Garden, Sixers coach Doc Rivers and star players James Harden ...

The franchise created a fitting tribute to Bill Russell before the game and the team followed with a worthy performance that got better from start to finish. But with all of those things going on, the Celtics did live up to what the Sixers and everyone else expected from them. They played well together and like a team that knows how to win. The Sixers established right away just how hard Boston should expect their opponents to play. To everybody else, playing the Celtics means a chance to beat the Eastern Conference champions. It’s not a coincidence that the teams who lost in the final often struggle the following year.