The lottery odds keep getting better

It was an ugly night in Boston as the shorthanded Celtics crushed the woefully shorthanded Sixers.

Perhaps good fight for just three quarters is a good recipe right now.

In what will surely go down as the Lonnie Walker revenge game, the Sixers dropped their third in a row, losing to the Boston Celtics 123-105 Thursday as both teams were down several regulars.

Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Sixers with 27 points. He shot 9-of-20 from the field and also had five rebounds and six assists. Lonnie Walker IV finished with 17 points while Justin Edwards had 14.

Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 35.

Tyrese Maxey was out again due to a back contusion, as was Paul George with groin soreness. Boston was without Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Sam Hauser.

First Quarter

• Edwards opened well with a runner before stepping into a three on the following possession. Oubre got to the line four times early which also helped keep pace with a quick Boston start.

• Walker knocked down his first two jumpers from deep upon checking into the game — besides him and Edwards though, the rest of the team opened the game 2-of-13 from the floor.
• Tatum nearly ended up outscoring the Sixers by the end of the frame as every ball-handler struggled. They turned the ball over six times and three of those were stolen by Tatum as well. The Celtics were out to an 11-point lead.

Second Quarter

• Even with all the guys they had out, the Celtics’ height was still something that could overmatch the Sixers. Guerschon Yabusele was off to another tough start, 0-of-4 from the field with a couple of turnovers.
• Quentin Grimes and Oubre each got on the board from three, which helped them inch back slightly. Edwards continued to make an impact as well, blocking Neemias Queta from behind. Boston’s three-point barrage started shortly though as they started getting past the perimeter easier. The Sixers’ hard collapse makes the shooters they want to kick to pretty open.

• Andre Drummond made an open corner three. That was about the only good thing to happen to close the second. They ended up shooting 34% from the field while the Celtics were at 50% in the half. The Sixers trailed by 18 at the break.

Third Quarter

• Oubre couldn’t make a three for the last month and now he’s made 11 (and counting) in his last four games. He got blocked at the rim another time or two, but he kept hustling his way towards points — and there was little other source of offense the Sixers could find.
• Is Luke Kornet giving Drummond the Kornet Contest after he made the last one a sign of respect? In this essay I will…
• Not only did Oubre’s hot shooting continue, but Walker and Edwards continued to find the basket as the Sixers shot 63% from the quarter and 50% from three, allowing them to cut the lead to 10. Boston was able to reverse that momentum in seconds, going right back up by 18 after three.

Fourth Quarter

• As if there were any doubts, the Celtics ripped off a 10-0 run to start the quarter to really put things out of hand. After the timeout the bench started to empty as Alex Reese got some run.
• So, looking at the out of town scoreboard. The Bulls beat the Magic, so they’ll finally gain ground on the Sixers. They may gain ground on the Nets too who are trailing the Warriors in a tight contest.
• Tankapoolooza rolls on! The Sixers are back at home next to welcome the Utah Jazz. That’ll tip off Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.