LAS VEGAS –- The Boston Celtics have leaned heavily on Marcus Smart for his play and leadership during summer league, but that didn't matter Sunday as the youthful Celtics -- yes, they're young even by summer league standards -- held on for a 85-76 win.
And in the Las Vegas Summer League, teams receive one point for every quarter they outscore their opponent.
In their two games in Las Vegas, Boston has accumulated six out of a possible eight points.
Leading the way for the Celtics was R.J. Hunter, who was in the starting lineup for Marcus Smart (rest,) who did not play.
The 6-foot-6-inch rookie made the most of his increased role, scoring eight of his 21 points in the first quarter.
Boston also got strong play from Terry Rozier, who led all scorers with 22 points as well as double-doubles from Jordan Mickey (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Jonathan Holmes (15 points, 10 rebounds).
Boston spent most of the game playing with a lead, although the Sixers made things mildly interesting in the fourth quarter with a flurry of jumpers that cut Boston’s lead to 68-63.
Boston Celtics
Coming out of a Celtics time-out, Hunter struck again with a jumper to give Boston a little more breathing room.
But the Sixers continued to chip away at Boston’s lead, getting it down to as little as 70-68, following a 3-pointer by Pierre Jackson.
However, the Celtics countered with a 7-2 spurt, capped by a 3-pointer from Rozier with about a minute to play.
Boston's control of the game was never an issue afterward.