NBA on Christmas Day live scores, updates, highlights, analysis: 76ers pull off a Christmas surprise

On By Littum

The Boston Celtics had a rough day at the office on Christmas Day.

Celtics commit 12 turnovers to 76ers’ six as Philadelphia wins 118-114 at TD Garden

Despite outrebounding Philadelphia 51-39 and shooting 40.8% (20-of-49) from 3, Boston got to the free throw line just 13 times, making eight, and struggled to contain Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting and had 12 assists and three steals.

Joel Embiid had 27 points (8-of-15 shooting) and nine rebounds in 30 minutes, and Caleb Martin had 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting (7-of-9 from 3) for the 76ers, who were 10.5 – point underdogs at BetMGM.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for eight turnovers as the Celtics just couldn’t find their rhythm, and the dynamic duo went long stretches without making much of an impact. The pair combined for 55 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists, but were certainly missing the contributions of Jrue Holiday, who was out with a shoulder injury.

The Celtics went on an 11-0 run over a two-minute span that cut the 76ers’ lead to 108-105 with 2:25 left after some sloppy play from Philadelphia. But the 76ers hung on and hit their free throws to put the game away.

All the talk before the lead-up to Christmas Day was Victor Wembanyama taking Manhattan.

And the sophomore sensation certainly delivered.

Wembanyama scored 42 points to come close to breaking the Christmas Day debut scoring record of 45 set by rookie Wilt Chamberlain in 1959, but the Knicks held on for a 117-114 win on Wednesday.

Mikal Bridges had his best game of the season, scoring 41 on 17-of-25 shooting with six 3s to power the Knicks, and Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 41 points.

Wembanyama added 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for San Antonio.

The Knicks, who were 9.5-point favorites at BetMGM, improved to 20-10, while San Antonio dropped to 15-15.

Well, not all games can be great.

After Victor Wembanyama put on a show, Luka Dončić strained his left calf in the second quarter and did not return as the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 105-99 victory.

The Timberwolves were in control throughout, but took their foot off the gas late as the Mavericks outscored them 31-15 in the fourth quarter.

Still, the Mavs fell short as Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle combined for 49 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 39 points on 14-of-27 shooting (five 3s), and Dončić had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists when he left.

  • Knicks 117, Spurs 114

  • Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99

  • 76ers-Celtics, 5 p.m. ET: The champions are the champions.

  • Lakers-Warriors, 8 p.m. ET: Let’s Enjoy LeBron Vs. Steph while we still can.

  • Nuggets-Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET: Nikola Jokić is the best player on earth and Kevin Durant still gets it done.

Live93 updates

  • Lakers lead at the half

    At halftime, the Lakers are up 55-52.

    LeBron James leads the way with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Dalton Knecht has 11 points.

    Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins have combined for 30 points.

  • With less than 7 minutes left, it’s 39-32, Lakers.

    It is difficult to attack tonight

  • 76ers top Celtics

    What an anticlimactic way to end the game. Derrick White, on the inbounds, steps on the line. The ball is turned over to Philly. The game is over. 118-114.

    Big, BIG game by the Sixers.

  • Philly up 116-111 with 6.2 seconds left, and on defense.

    Fouling here would be… terrible.

  • Late surge from Boston, due to an abundance of Philly mistakes, has kept the Celtics in it. What a meltdown by the Sixers.

    Celtics down only five

  • Tatum and Brown established themselves in spurts earlier in the game, but have taken large chunks of the game off. Can’t afford to have become spectators either.

  • Get the 20 points now for Caleb Martin. In just 10 shots.

    Sixers up by 15 in what is arguably their best game of the season.

  • Caleb Martin, who has battled injuries and inconsistent shooting this season, has 14 points on eight shots.

    Has been a great release valve for the Sixers tonight.

  • Don’t think the Celtics figured they’d be in a dogfight with the Sixers late, but it does highlight how much health factors into a team’s overall level.

    The Sixers, playing all of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, are tied 82-82 with the Celtics heading into the final frame.

  • Tatum makes his fourth triple and the Celtics score the first seven points of the second half.

    Jaylen Brown is trying to find his rhythm, but is just 3-11 from the field with four turnovers.

  • 76ers lead at the half

    Break in Boston.

    Sixers up 66-58.

    Embiid with 18 points and six rebounds. Maxey also with 18 points and 8 assists.

    Jayson Tatum finally came to life late, finishing the first half with 16 points and three made triples.

    Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard have both struggled. A combined 2-of-14 shooting.