Celtics 107, 76ers 96
Jared Sullinger had 22 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven assists as host Boston won its third straight game.
Avery Bradley scored 18 points for the Celtics, who almost squandered a 26-point lead before improving to 3-0 against the 76ers this season. Tyler Zeller had 16 points and nine rebounds and fellow reserve Marcus Thornton added 16 points and four 3-pointers for Boston, which shot 10-of-27 from the arc.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute scored 18 points for Philadelphia, which sat out Michael Carter-Williams due to a right big toe strain. Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson added 16 points as the 76ers failed in an attempt for a fourth win in six games.
Thompson sank a 3-pointer to cut the huge second-quarter deficit to just three with 8:14 left, but Thornton responded with a shot from the arc that ignited an 11-3 run that was capped by a three-point-play by Sullinger with 5:25 to play. Bradley hit a jumper and converted a drive to push the edge to 15 with just under three minutes left and the Sixers never recovered.
Bradley scored the first seven points, Boston led 29-15 after one and consecutive 3-pointers by Thornton and a jumper by Jae Crowder pushed the lead to 26 nearly five minutes into the second before the Celtics settled for a 60-42 edge at the break. Brandon Bass scored seven consecutive points to push the lead to 21 midway through the third before K.J. McDaniels scored six points in the final two minutes of the period as Philadelphia closed within 75-69.
GAME NOTEBOOOK: Bradley was 3-of-3 from the arc in the first half and Boston was 6-of-13. … Philadelphia was outrebounded 26-16 in the first half and committed 11 turnovers. … 76ers rookie G Tim Frazier handed out a 11 assists in 35 minutes during his pro debut.