Embiid wasn’t the only Sixers player facing a challenge coming into the game. Tyrese Maxey was fired up when his phone dinged with a message from his friend Trendon Watford. The Nets guard told Maxey he is always taking over regular old games, but could he do it on Christmas with all of his family watching?

In picture. A win on Wednesday could give the Sixers the advantage and move them one spot closer as they would come up on the heels of the Detroit Pistons.But Wednesday’s Christmas Day slate game is far from a locked win for Philadelphia.

A lackluster defensive effort caused the Celtics to come up short. The post Tyrese Maxey torches Celtics’ defense as 76ers beat Celtics on Christmas: 9 takeaways appeared first on Boston.com.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis injured his ankle during a 118-114 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

The Boston Celtics host their Atlantic Division rivals the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden for a Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25) tilt after dropping a road game to the Orlando Magic on Monday, Dec.