The Philadelphia 76ers end their three-game road trip on a two-game losing streak, falling to the rival Boston Celtics, 106-99. Third place is where the Sixers remain in the conference standings at 34-19 behind the Celtics who remain in the top see at 39-16. Boston has now won the first two matchups of the season with two more to play. One of the tougher losses of the season.

Here’s what stood out:

• Philadelphia got off to a good start. But Boston was able to hang around because of their three-point shooting from unlikely candidates. Blake Griffin and Grant Williams got the start in the frontcourt for the injured Al Horford and Robert Williams and made the most of their opportunities by knocking down three each from long distance in the first half. Griffin hit two more in the second half to finish with five threes for 15 points. Williams connected on one more, also totaling 15 on the evening.

• Derrick White dropped 19, including three from long distance –teammate Malcolm Brogdon also added 19 in a reserve role. Brogdon has played well in the two games against Philadelphia. Sam Hauser was 4 for 4 from deep off the bench with 14.

• The 76ers trailed the Celtics by four at halftime, 59-55, and had one more made field goal than their host. But they were down because the C’s made five more from beyond after two quarters. The drive and kick to open shooters were a big part of that early on. That was the difference through 24 minutes of play.

• Tobias Harris had a rough night for Philadelphia, finishing with just four points on 2 for 10 shooting from the field and 0 for 4 from beyond. It wasn’t Harris’ night on this Wednesday as he struggled to find his shot. Tyrese Maxey didn’t have it either – finished with just six points on 3 for 14 shooting. Tough night for both players in just a seven-point loss.

• The others for the 76ers didn’t match the work done by the Celtics players not named Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Just 21 points from the bench led by Georges Niang’s eight – Boston’s bench dropped 41 paced by Brogdon’s 19.

Next up for the Sixers will be the New York Knicks who come to town on Friday for the final regular season matchup on the season. The Knicks lead the season series 2-1 after their win over the 76ers last Sunday.