Following a 30-point route of the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, the Boston Celtics came into tonight’s game looking to keep the momentum going to win their third-straight game and climb their way up the Eastern Conference playoff latter. And yet, the momentum was cut short as Boston came face-to-face with their kryptonite once again.

In his second game back after missing 10 games due to a knee injury, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star and MVP candidate, Joel Embiid, dominated the Celtics as he seems to do every time these two teams meet as Philadelphia’s victory tonight swept the season series against the Celtics 3-0.

Embiid scored a game-high 35 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field and 18-of-20 from the free throw line.

Yes, you read that right — 20 free throw attempts for Embiid. The Celtics shot 18 free throws total as a team.

Whether it was Robert Williams, who fouled out in just 14 minutes due Embiid’s ability to draw fouls, Grant Williams, or Luke Kornet — it did not matter. Embiid had Boston’s number as he does every time he takes the court against the Celtics.

Though for the Celtics, it wasn’t just Embiid that altered their plans tonight. Turning the ball over had a huge part in the result tonight as Boston suffered a season-high 22 turnovers.

The way that Philly moves as a unit on the defensive end as if all five players are attached by a string is uncanny. Even when Embiid was on the shelf for 10 games, the 76ers were still able to alter the game with their defensive scheme and prowess.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s inability to consistently find a groove tonight against the likes of Ben Simmons surely hindered Boston’s offensive flow and chance to stay in the game once Philadelphia hit their stride.

For Boston tonight, Tatum led the way with 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting yet struggled from deep, hitting only 3-of-10 attempts. Jaylen Brown added 17 points while Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart both finished with 14 points.

The Celtics were missing their new sixth man tonight, Evan Fournier, who entered the COVID health and safety protocol, which likely puts Fournier on the shelf for the rest of the week. With as well as Fournier has shot the basketball coming off the bench since being acquired, losing his production seriously hinders the rotation.

The Celtics have a quick bounce back game tomorrow night against the New York Knicks with the 7th seed up for grabs.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!