NBA: Neemias Queta's big effort lifts Celtics over 76ers

Boston Celtics forwards Neemias Queta and Jaylen Brown led the team to a 114-98 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night. Queta recorded a career-high 27 points along with 17 rebounds, while Brown finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Derrick White added 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists for Boston, which also received 11 points and 12 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic. The Celtics made 18 of 21 free-throw attempts and dominated the boards with a 59-37 rebounding advantage.

Philadelphia trailed 103-97 with 4:14 remaining, but Queta extended Boston's lead to 109-98 with a layup and two free throws at the 2:36 mark. The 76ers were unable to mount a comeback after that.

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points, making 4 of 11 three-point attempts, while VJ Edgecombe added 23 points. Philadelphia also forced 15 Celtics turnovers. Andre Drummond contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Dominick Barlow added 14 points and eight rebounds for the 76ers.

The 76ers were without star center Joel Embiid due to a strained right oblique sustained during Thursday's 124-117 win over Miami. Philadelphia said Embiid will be re-evaluated following Wednesday's game against Utah. Embiid is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists this season but has played in only 33 games.

Boston trailed 28-26 after the first quarter but outscored Philadelphia 36-22 in the second to take a 62-50 halftime lead. Baylor Scheierman capped the first half with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Queta had 16 points and 12 rebounds in the first half alone.

The Celtics extended their lead to 16 points early in the third quarter, though the 76ers narrowed it to 89-83 entering the fourth. Philadelphia got within five points early in the final period but could not close the gap.

Sunday’s game marked the fourth meeting between the Celtics and 76ers this season, with each team now winning twice.

—Field Level Media/Reuters