The Celtics squandered a 24-point lead on Friday night before fighting back against the 76ers to hold on for a 109-108 victory in Philadelphia. Jaylen Brown led Boston in their third straight win with a team-high 32 points but only got to the free throw line for three attempts against a physical Philadelphia team. The Sixers had more than a 2-for-1 advantage in free throw attempts (29 to 12) over Boston on the night and that includes an intentional foul in the closing seconds.
Brown was whistled for a technical foul with 7:04 left in the third quarter, which helped the Sixers to kickstart a 9-0 run and tie the game at 72-72. Boston was able to bounce back from that outburst and retake control after squandering a double-digit lead, but Brown took responsibility for losing his cool.
“Just getting back to being composed,” Brown told reporters in Philadelphia per CLNS Media. “We kind of lost our composure for a little bit. I did for a second, getting involved too much with the officials. I got a tech. It was deserved but just play basketball, keep my team composed. That was on me.”
Brown later elaborated on what was causing his frustration with officials.
“I think just getting to the line,” Brown said. “My job is to go play basketball. I’m not an official but I think they allow them to get away with a lot of contact on me and I just be getting tired of that \*\*\*\*.”
Brown is leading the team with six free throw attempts per game through Boston’s 3-3 start, which would end up being the highest mark of his career. He’s also putting together a terrific all-around offensive start, averaging 26.8 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the field in his first six games and knocking down 46.9 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
The All-Star will get another tough physical test against a Rockets defense with plenty of size at TD Garden on Saturday night as Boston goes for their fourth straight win.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our [User Agreement](https://www.advancelocal.com/advancelocalUserAgreement/user-agreement.html) and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our [Privacy Policy.](https://www.advancelocal.com/advancelocalUserAgreement/privacy-policy.html)