Celtics Drop Franchise-Record 144 Points on Sixers in 144-106 Preseason Rout

The Boston Celtics rewrote their preseason record book on Saturday night, pouring in 144 points — the most in franchise history for a preseason game — in a 144-106 demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Payton Pritchard led six Celtics in double figures with 25 points off the bench, while Jayson Tatum added 23 points, five rebounds and four assists in just 26 minutes. Offseason additions Paul George (13 points, five rebounds, five assists) and Mitchell Robinson both made their Boston preseason debuts in an encouraging first look at the retooled roster. Boston shot roughly 47 percent from three-point range, scored 40 points off Philadelphia turnovers, led by 21 at halftime and stretched the margin as high as 45 in the second half. The Sixers, playing without Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope through injuries and rest, got 19 points, four rebounds and four assists from VJ Edgecombe, while Tyrese Maxey managed just eight. Boston improved to 2-0 in preseason play; the teams meet again in Philadelphia on October 16.