Paul George scored 36 points in his return to Philadelphia, and the Boston Celtics beat the 76ers 123-101 on Tuesday to move into first place in the Eastern Conference, NBA.com reported.
George, sent to Boston in the offseason trade that brought Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, shot 14-for-22 and made six threes. Jayson Tatum added 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. After trailing by 16 in the second quarter, the 76ers got a 20-7 burst from Tyrese Maxey (24 points) that tied the game late in the third, NBA.com said. George then fueled a 32-8 run in which he scored 14 straight Celtics points in the fourth, including three threes. Tatum said afterward, “He’s been incredible all season. The joy he’s playing with … we’re lucky to have him.” Boston shot 22-for-49 from three (44.9%) and held Philadelphia to 41.8% from the field, including a season-low 13 points from Brown (4-for-9) in his first game against the team that drafted him. The Celtics are 9-2 after a fourth straight win; the 76ers fell to 9-3.
Boston plays again Wednesday at Toronto, NBA.com noted, as part of a 10-game slate that also includes the Warriors at Houston later in the night.