Score: 144-106 Celtics
It’s only the preseason, and many of the 76ers’ best players didn’t play, but Celtics fans should be encouraged by what they saw Saturday night at TD Garden.
The Celtics played with great energy, purpose and execution at both ends of the floor. The result was a preseason team record 144 points scored and a 38-point victory.
Payton Pritchard led the way offensively with a game-high 25 points, including 11 in the second quarter. He shot 7-for-12 from the field and 5-for-8 from 3-point range.
Jayson Tatum scored 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting. He looked a lot like the perennial All-NBA player we saw before his Achilles injury, which is obviously a great sign for the C’s.
A couple Celtics newcomers also made their preseason debuts. Mitchell Robinson made a strong impact as a rim protector and rebounder. Paul George scored 13 points with five rebounds and five steals. George’s defense led to offense on several occasions and helped Boston score 40 points off turnovers.
Baylor Scheierman scored only three points, but he impacted the game in a lot of ways with eight assists, five steals and three rebounds.
Hugo Gonzalez also gave the Celtics a strong all-around performance with 17 points, six rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. He made all four of his 3-point attempts. If he can be a reliable outside shooter this season, that would be a major boost for Boston’s offense.
Overall, the Celtics shot 53 percent (50-for-94) from the floor and 22-for-47 from 3-point range.
VJ Edgecombe led the Sixers with 19 points. Philly shot a lackluster 15-for-53 on 3-pointers. Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid all sat out for the 76ers.
The Celtics’ third preseason game is against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night at TD Garden.