Joel Embiid had a field day trolling the Boston Celtics following the Philadelphia 76ers’ dramatic 118-114 victory at TD Garden on Christmas Day. The big man heaped praise on teammate Caleb Martin, whose sizzling shooting performance was instrumental in securing the win. Martin, a player with a history of stepping up against Boston, drained seven three-pointers on nine attempts, finishing with a season-high 23 points.
“He’s playing against Boston so he hates them as much as I do.”
The comment was not only a nod to Martin’s stellar track record against the Celtics, particularly during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, but also a reflection of Embiid’s own long-standing rivalry with the Celtics, a team he has yet to defeat in a playoff series.
Martin’s performance rekindled memories of his heroics during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals when he averaged 19.3 points while shooting nearly 49% from deep against Boston as a member of the Miami Heat.
The Celtics’ defensive strategy—leaving Martin open while focusing on Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George—backfired spectacularly. Martin made them pay, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he knocked down all four of his three-point attempts during an 18-4 Sixers run that effectively ended Boston’s comeback hopes.
Embiid’s postgame remarks didn’t stop at praising Martin. He took another jab at the Celtics, highlighting their inability to stop Martin despite having faced his sharpshooting wrath before. Embiid, who tallied 27 points and 9 rebounds in the win, seemed to relish the victory, especially given his winless playoff history against Boston.
The Sixers’ big man emphasized that the win was about more than just a regular-season triumph—it was a statement game for a team looking to build momentum after a rocky start to the season.
While Martin’s shooting stole the headlines, Tyrese Maxey’s 33-point explosion was equally vital. Maxey controlled the game in the final moments, scoring 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, and ensured the Sixers maintained their lead. Embiid’s free throws in the final seconds were also crucial, showcasing his composure under pressure.
The win showcased the depth of the Sixers’ roster, with multiple players stepping up to complement Embiid’s dominance. It also reflected the team’s potential as they continued to gel under head coach Nick Nurse.
Despite the victory, the Sixers remain below .500, sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-17. However, their recent 7-3 run suggests they might be turning a corner.
For now, Philadelphia will savor this win, especially Martin, whose performance reinforced his “Boston Killer” nickname. As Embiid said this is a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the intensity of this budding rivalry. The Celtics will undoubtedly take notice when these two teams meet again in February.
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