Thomas Scores 26 Points To Help Celtics Down 76ers 120-105

PHILADELPHIA -- When the Philadelphia 76ers were going through their historically horrendous 1972-73 season, which produced just nine wins, the team was thought to be the league's spa. They were the team other teams wanted to play to get better.

The 2015-16 team, which also has produced just nine wins, has taken the spa thing a step further.

Boston's trip to the spa on Sunday night was a bit bumpy at times but the Celtics left the Wells Fargo Center feeling a little better about themselves.

Led by the overpowering Amir Johnson and a solid floor game from Evan Turner (17 points, nine rebounds, six assists) the Celtics (40-30), having lost four of their previous six games and dropping from third to sixth place in the Eastern Division playoff standings, received the massage and pedicure they so sorely needed with a 120-105 win.

With the 76ers playing without bigs Jahlil Okafor (torn right meniscus) and Richaun Holmes (right Achilles tendon soreness), Philadelphia coach Brett Brown knew his young and undermanned team was in trouble in the paint. And it was obvious from the opening tap.

In the first quarter alone, Boston outscored the 76ers (9-61) in the paint, 20-4, and owned the backboards, 19-12.

Johnson was a beast underneath, hitting nine of 10 shots for 18 points, and Jared Sullinger bulled his way to 17 hard-fought points and 13 rebounds.

But when the 76ers began to make a third-quarter push, getting to within 76-70, it was the Celtics' Isaiah Thomas (26 points, 10-for-10 from the line) who pushed back. The diminutive All-Star guard, who averaged 25.7 points a game against the 76ers in their previous three meetings, had just eight points at the half on 2-for-9 shooting. In the third quarter, Thomas knocked down 13 points, including a three at the buzzer, giving Boston an 88-79 lead.

Keeping the 76ers in the game was 32-year-old Carl Landry. Battling his way against the Celtics' collection of trees, Landry scored 26 points, grabbed eight boards and allowed Philadelphia to stay within single digits throughout most of the fourth quarter.

A floater by Nerlens Noel, off a feed from Ish Smith, got the 76ers to within 96-91, but a 17-8 Celtics run put the game away.