The Sixers traveled to Boston to face the defending champions, who were short-handed on the second night of a back-to-back. With Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard available, the Celtics had more than enough to easily handle a Sixers team missing Tyrese Maxey (back) and Paul George (groin) on top of Joel Embiid and many other critical pieces.

The Sixers’ efforts to even up their season series against the Celtics were in vain. Boston earned a 123-105 victory Thursday night at TD Garden to polish off a 3-1 win in the season series. The Sixers fell to 21-41 and the Celtics improved to 45-18.

Jayson Tatum had 35 points and seven rebounds and the Boston Celtics powered past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 on Thursday night. It was Tatum’s 24th game this season with at least 30 points even though he sat out the entire fourth quarter as Boston won for the ninth time in its last 11 games.

However, with all of the pieces missing for Philadelphia, it was too much to overcome. The Celtics never trailed and led by as many as 30 as they handed the Sixers a 123-105 loss. Jayson Tatum had 35 points and seven rebounds for Boston on the night.

Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way for the Sixers with 27 points, while Justin Edwards 14 in his return from a sprained ankle. Tyrese Maxey and Paul George both missed Thursday's game with ailments.

Here are the three biggest takeaways for the Philadelphia 76ers following the latest road loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.