The Philadelphia 76ers won’t have much time to dwell on their 132-126 loss Tuesday to the Indiana Pacers in the NBA in-season tournament.
A night after seeing their eight-game winning streak snap, the 76ers host the rivel Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Joel Embiid hit all 17 free throws and finished with 39 points and 12 rebounds. De’Anthony Melton scored 30 points, Tyrese Maxey added 27 and Tobias Harris had 22.
But while the Sixers pulled within four twice in the final 30 seconds, it wasn’t enough.
Two nights earlier, Maxey scored a career-high 50 points against the Pacers. While Maxey didn’t repeat the feat, he was still quite effective and continued to perform well since James Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Though he shot 9 of 23 from the field, Maxey added five assists and four rebounds in the loss.
Harris appeared to strain his neck when he collided with Bruce Brown with 10:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Following a quick trip to the locker room, Harris returned. His status is unclear for the game against the Celtics.
Embiid was listed as questionable with left hip soreness but put together another impressive performance. It’s also unknown if Embiid will be available in the back-to-back scenario.
The Celtics, meanwhile, will be looking for their fourth consecutive victory.
Boston handily defeated the New York Knicks 114-98 on Monday.
Jayson Tatum (35 points), Jaylen Brown (22), and Kristaps Porzingis (21) each scored at least 20 for the second consecutive game.
But Porzingis is listed as questionable for the game against the Sixers with a right knee contusion.
Tatum missed seven of his first eight 3-pointers but rallied to shoot 13 of 23 overall, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter.
The Celtics struggled as a team offensively before surging in the fourth.
After a difficult matchup against a longtime rival, the schedule doesn’t get any easier with a clash against another bitter rival in the Sixers.
