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Keys to the Game: Celtics 107, 76ers 106

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Key Moment

Isaiah Thomas loves using his size – or lack thereof – to his advantage, and the Boston Celtics certainly appreciate his sneaky-quick 5-foot-9 frame as well. Especially after the way that the explosive point guard drove them to a 107-106, nail-biting win Saturday night in Philadelphia.

The Celtics and 76ers found themselves knotted up in a 100-all tie with 34.6 seconds remaining in the game when IT took the reins.

After a Celtics timeout, Marcus Smart inbounded the ball to Thomas near center court, where IT found himself in a mismatch with 6-10 76ers rookie Dario Saric.

So Thomas did what he does best: He lowered his body and exploded to the rim.

Philadelphia guard Gerald Henderson knew Saric wouldn't be able to keep up with Thomas' drive, so he collapsed in to help. But Thomas went low, so low that his head was just chest high with 6-5 Henderson, and he slithered right in between the two 76ers defenders for an easy layup.

With that bucket, the Celtics were in the driver's seat as Philadelphia was forced to foul the rest of the way.

Ersan Ilyasova made things interesting by hitting two long 3s, including a turnaround heave at the buzzer, but the 76ers could not get back over the hump after IT's go-ahead score.

Key Player

During the last week and a half, Isaiah Thomas had been getting to the free throw line at a much lower rate than usual. He had averaged just 5.6 free throw attempts during Boston's last five games entering Saturday's contest.

In Philadelphia, however, he looked like vintage IT. The fearless point guard drove to the rim at will Saturday night, and the ref's whistle often followed, as he made 13 free throws on an impressive 15 trips to the stripe.

Thomas was also extremely efficient from the field, as he shot 11-of-19 and scored 37 points – just one shy of his regular season career high – on the night, to go along with seven assists, four rebounds and just two turnovers.

His 13 points during the fourth quarter, including his Key Moment, go-ahead layup is what earned Boston a hard-fought win.

Box Score Nuggets

  • Isaiah Thomas finished with a game-best 37-points – one point shy of his regular season career high.
  • Dario Saric logged the game's only double-double (21 points and 12 rebounds).
  • Boston shot exactly 50 percent (38-of-76) from the field.
  • The Celtics did not make a 3-pointer until the 6:28 mark of the second quarter.
  • All five of Philadelphia's starters scored in double-figures, but none of them reached 20 points.
  • Avery Bradley corralled a team-high nine rebounds for Boston.
  • Both teams tallied just three blocks apiece.
  • Both teams also tallied just five steals apiece.
  • Philadelphia shot 15-of-33 (45.5 percent) from 3-point range.
  • The Celtics were held to 8-of-26 (30.8 percent) from beyond the arc.
  • Philadelphia held a slim rebounding advantage, 38-37.

Quote of the Night

Rookie Jaylen Brown on his increased confidence.