Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers (21-35) put together a strong effort in their final game before the All-Star break, but Boston's offense was just too much down the stretch as the Celtics (37-19) took tonight's match-up, 116-108. The Sixers came out slow to start the second half, regrouped to take a lead in the fourth, but turnovers proved costly down the stretch in Boston, their 11th straight loss to the Celtics.
Boston shot 13-for-28 from three, a big difference from Philadelphia's 8-for-31 from beyond the arc. The Sixers outplayed the Celtics in a number of categories, outscoring them in the paint (62-42) and in fast break points (25-15) while also tallying more assists, steals and rebounds. In the end, it was the Sixers turnovers and Boston's offense that made the difference in this one.
Despite the loss, Dario Saric had another phenomenal night for Philadelphia, finishing with his second straight double double, 20 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the floor. Robert Covington had a great night as well, contributing 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting and nine boards. Nerlens Noel started at center and scored 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. In his return to the Sixers, Jahlil Okafor played 17 points and had just four points, but contributed defensively with three blocks.
To no one's surprise, Isaiah Thomas led all scorers with 33 points. Marcus Smart had 21 and Jae Crowder finished with 18. The Celtics have won 11 of their last 12 after tonight's win over the Sixers and remain just 2.5 games back of the Cavs for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers went into half tied with Boston at 61, but the Celtics started the third on a 12-2 run to take a 10-point lead early on in the second half, but Philadelphia managed to keep the game to within eight entering the fourth, 87-79. The Sixers continued to fight, putting together a rally and taking a 97-96 lead following a Dario Saric layup and a Nerlens Noel putback jam midway through the fourth. Isaiah Thomas responded though, scoring five of the games next seven points to give Boston a 101-99 lead with just over five minutes to play.
Things got bleak for the Sixers, finding themselves coughing up the ball five times late in the fourth as the C's capitalized to extend their lead to nine within two minutes to play. That would put the proverbial nail in the coffin.
Up Next:
The Sixers are off until next Friday, February 24, when they play the Wizards in their first game following the All-Star break. Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric will play in Friday night's Rising Stars Challenge in New Orleans.
