Observations after Sixers get blown out by Celtics in preseason

Observations after Sixers get blown out by Celtics in preseason  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers’ third preseason contest was a blowout affair.

The Celtics cruised to a 144-106 exhibition victory Saturday night over the Sixers at TD Garden. The Sixers fell to 1-2 in preseason play.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum scored 23 points and Payton Pritchard poured in 25. VJ Edgecombe had 19 points, four assists and four steals for the Sixers.

After using their full starting five Thursday in a loss to the Nets, the Sixers’ absences included LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid. Adem Bona (left foot sprain), Dominick Barlow (back) and Anfernee Simons (hamstring) were among the other players on the sidelines. 

The Sixers’ fourth and final preseason game will also be against the Celtics. They’ll host Boston next Friday night.

Here are observations on their loss Saturday:

The Sixers started Tyrese Maxey, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Dean Wade and Jabari Walker.

Edgecombe had a bright first few minutes, scoring a reverse and-one layup and canning a three-pointer to give the Sixers an 8-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Celtics missed their first seven field goals. 

The 6-foot-7 Walker played center and faced a pair of 7-footers in Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta. 

Walker had some nice early moments, including a put-back layup, although he accumulated three fouls in his first 10 minutes. He posted 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting and six rebounds. Walker swished a corner three-pointer in the second quarter and continued to fire away from long range. He’s now 5 for 13 (38.5 percent) beyond the arc in the preseason. 

The 6-9 Wade moved to center after Walker took a seat. Robinson beat Wade to an offensive rebound in the second quarter and then converted an and-one lay-in. 

Not every team has multiple 7-footers in its rotation like the Celtics and Robinson is a tremendous offensive rebounder who habitually wins individual battles against centers of all sizes. Still, the Sixers are simply small at backup center currently with the injuries to Bona and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear).

Maxey had an uncharacteristically rough preseason start. 

He began 0 for 4 from the floor. Maxey committed his second foul of the first quarter when he made contact with Paul George on his former teammate’s fadeaway jumper attempt. In his first game since being traded to Boston, George had 13 points on 3-for-10 shooting, five steals, five rebounds and four assists.

Maxey wasn’t the only cold Sixer. The team dropped to 4 for 21 from three-point range on an Edwards air ball.

Outside of all the misses, the Sixers’ offense was sloppy and lacked fluidity. Following a 21-turnover game against the Nets, the team had 13 giveaways in Saturday’s first half. The Celtics’ advantage swelled over 20 points before halftime.

Naturally, the Sixers will expect much better from their offense once they’re closer to full strength and the games count. 

Labaron Philon Jr. featured for the Sixers’ young second unit. 

As he had in Brooklyn, Philon hit a three soon after checking in. For any rookie coming off the bench, being locked in immediately after entering games is much easier said than done. Philon comes across as a player who has no issues with confidence and focus once his name is called. 

The Alabama product started the second half and got useful on-ball reps in Maxey’s place. He logged 25 minutes and had 14 points and seven assists.

Philon’s efficiency had been subpar through two and a half preseason games, but he knocked down two long-range jumpers early in the fourth quarter and is clearly capable of getting hot. The 22nd overall pick has shot 9 for 30 (30 percent) from the field and 5 for 15 (33.3 percent) from three-point territory so far in his first NBA preseason.