Celtics Continue Dominance Against Sixers As Tatum Dunks All Over Simmons In 112-109 Win Without Irving

Following two brutal losses at home to the Lakers and Clippers last week, the Celtics got back to their winning ways last night as they hung on to beat the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of 112-109.

Both teams are now 36-21 on the season.

Kyrie Irving did not play in the game as he's still day-to-day following an injury he suffered on this play against the Clippers.

Boston is now 3-0 against Philly this season, and 22-3 (including playoffs) against them since the start of the 2014-15 season. Talk about having a team's number.

Gordon Hayward led the Celtics with 26 points in 28 minutes, while Jayson Tatum and Al Horford played 35 minutes each combining for 43 points and 18 rebounds.

The play of the evening came in the third quarter, as Tatum posterized Ben Simmons after completely fooling Embiid with a nifty spin move. Take a look (Al Horford's reaction might be the best part):

Enjoy this Jayson Tatum dunk: pic.twitter.com/fATrwEit4O #NBA

— InsideHoops.com NBA (@InsideHoops) February 13, 2019

It's plays like that, and this, that make me not want to trade the almost-21-year-old Tatum. In my opinion, he's untouchable, and should be part of the team's long-term plans. Trading him would be idiotic. Gotta have him. He's no Jaylen Brown or Terry Rozier, who, to me, are expendable.

Marcus Smart essentially sealed the win as he fooled Simmons, drove to the basket, and threw down a two-handed slam as Embiid made absolutely no effort to stop him:

Marcus Smart fakes out Simmons and jams it in crunch time pic.twitter.com/k9Ki6csZGN

— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) February 13, 2019

Afterwards, Embiid was pretty salty:

Joel Embiid's (@JoelEmbiid) frustration could get him in trouble with the NBA. □□#HereTheyCome #Sixers pic.twitter.com/FuKUQRrkWb

— Sixers Nation (@PHI_76ersNation) February 13, 2019

Embiid was fined $25,000 today for his comments. Chump change for him so it doesn't really matter. All part of the process!

Anyway, it's great to be back in the win column. The two games prior to last night SUCKED, but there's no use in dwelling and thinking too much about it if you're the Celtics. Gotta move forward and keep grinding. Playing the Sixers after two losses like that was honestly the best case scenario for the Celtics. They OWN them. Great timing in the schedule to say the least.

The Celtics will try to make it back-to-back wins tonight as they host the 26-29 Detroit Pistons (as I type this, it's currently 57-52 Boston at half).