Philadelphia 76ers: 3 takeaways from Christmas loss to Celtics

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images /

2. Brett Brown was out-coached in the final moments

As a fan of head coach Brett Brown, the next point is difficult to make. His coaching decisions down the stretch of the Sixers’ Christmas loss were hard to watch. He was out-coached by Brad Stevens in the fourth quarter and overtime, when it looked like things were headed Philadelphia’s way.

While Kyrie Irving torched them for 40 points on 17-of-33 shooting from the field and five made 3-pointers, the Sixers struggled to score a bucket in the fourth quarter and overtime.

As a team, they shot 6-for-21 (28.6 percent) from the field in the fourth quarter and 1-for-8 (12.5 percent) from the field in overtime. It seemed there weren’t many adjustments to be made as the team faded on offense and Brown just watched from the sideline.

Embiid looked gas and Butler wasn’t used much on offense despite playing as their primary defender on Kyrie Irving down the stretch. There are still more adjustments for them to make as the new year approaches. Luckily for them, Butler should be open to ideas after not getting many touches down the stretch.