If you happened to be channel surfing tonight and saw that the two worst teams in the Atlantic Division were facing off, you more than likely passed right by it, assuming that this game would not be worth watching.
But that was not the case.
In their first matchup of the season, the Celtics (15-33) and Sixers (15-31) gave the fans their money's worth, but Evan Turner broke the hearts of the Celtics' faithful with a game-winning shot as time expired to give the Sixers a 95-94 victory.
This one had 12 ties and six lead changes.
The good:
* Even with two injured fingers on his shooting hand, Jared Sullinger was still the best player on the court. Sullinger recorded his 13th double-double of the season, putting in 24 points and 16 rebounds
* Kris Humphries is going to get paid this offseason. Since he started getting significant minutes, Humphries has become an important piece on this team. He's performed very well, and he continued his strong play tonight with 13 points and 9 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
* Although the Sixers killed the Celtics in points in the paint, the C's did the same on the boards. They outrebounded the Sixers, 59-40. They also had 17 second-chance points to Philly's 7.
* The C's kept Philly's fast-break attack in check. Philly came into tonight third in the league in fast-break points per game (17.1), and they had eight in the first quarter. But the Celtics locked in defensively and only allowed four more fast-break points in the final three quarters.
The bad:
* The Sixers got into the paint with ease all night long, and it proved to be costly for the Celtics as Evan Turner's game-winning floater came in the paint. The Sixers scored 58 points in the paint to the Celtics' 40.
* Boston largest lead of the night was eight, and it came with 8:05 remaining the fourth quarter. It's a little disheartening that Boston could not hold a lead like that against a team that allows the most points per game in the NBA.
* The Celtics now sit alone at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They have lost 19 of their last 22 games.
* An interesting stat on Rajon Rondo. He's played in six games this season. The Celtics have lost them all. He missed one game in that six-game stretch, and that was the Celtics' only victory.
The Celtics have three days off before returning to action Sunday afternoon against the Orlando Magic. Tipoff is set for 1:00 pm.
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