BOSTON -- The Philadelphia 76ers had a statement win on Christmas Day as they went into the TD Garden and defeated the defending champion Boston Celtics on the road 118-114. The Sixers received big performances from Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Caleb Martin to get the job done on the road.
If there was one question for the Sixers following a win over the Celtics, it's the play of Paul George.
The 9-time All-Star struggled again as he shot just 4-for-15 from the floor and 0-for-7 from deep as he continues to try and find his comfort zone with Philadelphia. One has to believe that he will eventually figure this out, but it is going to take some more time.
"I think he knows what it is, but I keep talking to him," Joel Embiid said. "He's gonna be great. I'm not worried about it. I think as we keep going and we start figuring out the best way to move forward, I think he'll be way better than he's been. More efficient which he's always been. Especially, catch and shoot. Shot creation."
The Sixers do need George to get going. Of course, when Caleb Martin is knocking down 3s as well as he did on Christmas, then it isn't a huge deal, but it will be important going forward.
"I thought tonight, after talking to him after the first half, he was so much better," Embiid added. "I told him to take his time. Especially, in the ISOs when he did have the ball and he did that. I thought he did such a better job of taking the shots available and creating for others."
George did take some good shots in this one, but they just didn't drop. That has to change as time moves on. The Sixers are relying on him to be that third star for them as they move forward.
"I thought his shots were awesome," added coach Nick Nurse. "He had really good shots, so I'm encouraged by that. I think the quality of them went way up. Coming off on some of those, he's getting 14 feet, total space and total clearance with his height, you're thinking, 'Those are automatic.' And they just didn't go tonight. I feel good about where he was getting to and how he was getting there. I feel good about that."