BOSTON —
The Boston Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 111-97 on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Boston entered the game after a 123-91 win in Game 1 on Sunday, the franchise’s largest margin of victory in a postseason opener.
Game 2 was much closer early, with Philadelphia keeping pressure on Boston throughout.
The 76ers tied the game at 37-37 in the second quarter on a corner 3-pointer by Andre Drummond.
The Celtics answered when Jayson Tatum picked off a pass for a dunk, but Boston trailed 62-54 at halftime.
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Philadelphia maintained control into the fourth quarter.
A jumper by Jaylen Brown cut the 76ers’ lead to 91-89, but Philadelphia responded with 3-pointers from Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to extend the lead. Maxey and Edgecombe combined for 59 points.
The Celtics ended the game shooting 13 for 50 (27%).
“We just got to watch the film and make adjustments,” Brown said. “They’ve got some good basketball players over there, I thought we got to do a better job on Edgecombe.”
Brown led Boston with 36 points.
The series now shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Celtics Round 1 Playoff Schedule:Game 1: Philadelphia at Boston | Sunday April 19, 1 p.m. (WIN)Game 2: Philadelphia at Boston | Tuesday April 21, 7 p.m. (LOSS)Game 3: Boston at Philadelphia | Friday April 24, 7 p.m.Game 4: Boston at Philadelphia | Sunday April 26, 7 p.m.Game 5: Philadelphia at Boston* | Tuesday April 28 (if needed)Game 6: Boston at Philadelphia* | Thursday April 30 (if needed)Game 7: Philadelphia at Boston* | Saturday May 2 (if needed)