NBA Wrap:: After losing Game 1, 'angry' Celtics dominate 76ers in Game 2

 After losing Game 1, 'angry' Celtics dominate 76ers in Game 2

The Celtics walked off the court angry and frustrated after giving up home-court advantage in their series-opening loss to the 76ers.

The Boston Celtics had a disappointing start to their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, losing Game 1 in a close contest. But they came back with a vengeance in Game 2, dominating their opponents from start to finish and cruising to an easy victory.

The Celtics' players were visibly angry and determined after their Game 1 loss, and they channeled that emotion into their performance on the court. From the opening tip, they played with intensity and energy, attacking the basket, crashing the boards, and playing suffocating defense.

Boston's star players were particularly impressive in Game 2. Jayson Tatum, who had struggled in Game 1, bounced back with a vengeance, scoring a game-high 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Kemba Walker also had a strong game, contributing 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 7 rebounds.

But it was the Celtics' defense that truly made the difference in Game 2. After giving up 113 points in Game 1, they held the 76ers to just 94 points on 39.2% shooting in Game 2. They were particularly effective at containing Philadelphia's star center, Joel Embiid, who had dominated in Game 1 with 39 points and 9 rebounds. In Game 2, Embiid was held to just 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, thanks in large part to the stellar defense of Boston's big men, Al Horford and Robert Williams.

The Celtics' dominance in Game 2 was also reflected in the statistics. They outscored the 76ers in every quarter, led by as many as 27 points, and never let Philadelphia get within striking distance. They also dominated on the boards, outrebounding the 76ers 52-38, and held a 28-10 advantage in fast break points.

After the game, the Celtics' players and coaches were understandably pleased with their performance. "We played with a lot of energy and intensity tonight," said Tatum in a post-game interview. "We were really focused on coming out and setting the tone early, and I think we did a great job of that."

Head coach Brad Stevens echoed Tatum's sentiments, praising his team's defensive effort in particular. "We did a really good job of making it tough on them," said Stevens. "Our guys were locked in and focused, and I thought they did a great job of executing the game plan."

With the series now tied at 1-1, the Celtics will look to carry their momentum into Game 3, which will be played in Philadelphia. If they can continue to play with the same intensity and energy they showed in Game 2, they have a good chance of taking control of the series and advancing to the second round of the playoffs.