NBA: Paul George pours in 36 in Philly return as Celtics rout 76ers 123-101 for East No. 1
Tied 79-79 late in the third, Boston unleashes a 26-3 burst while Jaylen Brown battles foul trouble against Jayson Tatum.
Returning to Xfinity Mobile Arena for the first time since his summer move, Paul George made Tuesday night unmistakably personal. The forward dropped 36 points in 30:09, shooting 6 of 11 from three-point range with 14 points in the fourth quarter, as the Boston Celtics rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 on 10 November.
With the score locked 79-79 late in the third quarter, Boston tore the contest open with a decisive 26-3 burst crossing into the fourth. Jayson Tatum finished with 21 points after former partner Jaylen Brown appeared to ignore Tatum’s pregame tap-up before tipoff; playing his first night against Boston since the trade, Brown fell into early foul trouble and finished with 13 points.
Payton Pritchard chipped in 18 points and Sam Hauser added 12 to lift Boston to 9-2 atop the Eastern Conference, dropping Philadelphia (led by Tyrese Maxey’s 24) to 9-3. Elsewhere Tuesday, Portland stunned Oklahoma City 123-103 via a 38-21 third quarter led by Damian Lillard (25) and Deni Avdija (24 points, 8 assists), the Knicks blew past the Bucks 117-85, and tonight’s Wednesday ESPN doubleheader showcases Cleveland at New York (7:00 p.m. ET) and Golden State at Houston (9:30 p.m. ET).
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