The Boston Celtics bounced back from the lowest point in a season full of them, beating the rebuilt Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday without Kyrie Irving. Just two days earlier, after surrendering a 28-point lead to the undermanned L.A. Clippers at home, Marcus Morris called his team out for not having fun playing together. It was quite a turnaround for Boston, which followed that victory over the 76ers by easily dispatching of the Detroit Pistons at home.
Have the Celtics finally righted a wayward ship for good? ESPN's Richard Jefferson doesn't think so, submitting on Wednesday's edition of “Get Up!” that the cloud of Anthony Davis will continue hovering over Boston for the season's remainder.
“We have a small dumpster fire brewing here in Boston,” he said, per Boston.com's Mark Dunphy. “It’s because you have the Anthony Davis situation. You have Jayson Tatum saying, ‘Hey. I wouldn’t mind being the face of a franchise.’ Why are you — you have a chance to win a championship with this team and you’re talking about being the face of the New Orleans Pelicans?
“That lets you know that things are brewing. And obviously, with Kyrie being out and them getting this win against a quality Philly team, lets you know that things are a little awry.”
The Celtics have long coveted Davis but were unable to trade for him in advance of last week's trade deadline because league rules stipulate a team can employ just one player at a time who's playing on a designated rookie extension. Irving is almost sure to opt out of the final year in his contract this summer, which was previously viewed as a positive development for Boston given their newfound ability to trade for Davis. But Irving cast doubt on his future with the team earlier this month, walking back preseason comments that he would re-sign with the Celtics come July.
Boston, 37-21, is fourth in the Eastern Conference standings despite possessing the league's third-best net rating.
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