Derrick White’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Propel Celtics to Victory over Sixers in Eastern Conference Clаsh

In an exciting matchup between early contenders in the Eastern Conference, Derrick White stole the show by scoring 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Boston Celtics to a 117-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Jayson Tatum had an outstanding performance, leading all scorers with 29 points, while Jrue Holiday contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for the Celtics (9-2). Despite missing key players Jaylen Brown due to a non-CоVID illness and Kristaps Porzingis with a right knee contusion, Boston showcased their depth and resilience.

Playing their second game in a back-to-back and third game in four nights, the Philadelphia 76ers (8-3) struggled to find their rhythm. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey led the team with 20 points each, but their scoring output fell short of their season averages.

With Sam Hauser and Al Horford filling in for Brown and Porzingis in the starting lineup, the Celtics received valuable contributions. Horford recorded 14 points and made a crucial block on a driving layup by Maxey, leading to a backbreaking 3-pointer by White with 4:47 remaining, extending Boston’s lead to seven points. Horford’s presence beyond the arc was notable, as he went 4 for 8 from long range, helping the Celtics build a 17-point lead at one stage of the game.

Throughout the night, the Sixers displayed signs of fatigue, struggling to adjust defensively as the Celtics moved the ball effectively. Embiid, in particular, had a challenging game, finishing with a minus-25 rating in his 34 minutes on the court. Philadelphia’s high-powered offense was stifled in the second half, scoring just 49 points.