'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart got tangled up as Embiid went for a rebound, leading to a small scrum. The teams eventually separated, but Boston's 126-117 win in the season opener on Tuesday night provided some fireworks.
Smart, last season's Defensive Player of the Year, is known for his grit and tough play. Embiid clearly had control of the ball, and Smart was just trying to disrupt the big man.
On FS1’s “Undisputed” co-host Shannon Sharpe said:
“Joel Embiid knows if Smart takes the ball he’s going to be big timing in front of the home crowd. ... Joel Embiid said, 'No, you not.' You’re too small to be down there anyway. Send Al Horford.”
Celtics take advantage of their home court to beat 76ers
The Boston Celtics won on their home court to start the season. The team is being watched closely to see how they will perform under interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, who is taking over for the suspended Ime Udoku. The team has high expectations after last year’s NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points each to lead the Celtics. The game was tied at 63-63 at halftime, but Boston pulled away in the third quarter and held on to close out the game.
The Celtics also got good bench production from power forward Grant Williams, who provided 15 points. Plus, the newly acquired Malcolm Brogdon provided 16 points in 24 minutes during his Boston debut.
The Celtics will get another test against their foe from last season’s Eastern Conference finals, the Miami Heat, on Friday in Miami.
James Harden and Joel Embiid show early signs of regaining their stride
Despite losing the opener, it wasn’t all bad for the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid and James Harden looked in All-Star form.
Embiid provided 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Harden did not look good when he arrived in The City of Brotherly Love last season but definitely found his old groove. Harden had 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. He shot 5 for 9 from three. The Celtics could not stop him, and he made some defenders fall as they tried to guard him.
The main problem for the Sixers was bench production. None of the reserves scored in double digits.
The 76ers next play on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks at home in Philadelphia.
