Celtics' Kyrie Irving stabs Sixers with clutch 3-point daggers

Dec. 26 (UPI) -- There might be some fire damage at TD Garden following Kyrie Irving's exploits against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The superstar guard was beyond clutch down the stretch in the Celtics' 121-114 overtime victory against the Sixers on Tuesday in Boston. Irving scored a game-high 40 points and had 10 rebounds in the victory. But his most clutch attempts came with about two minutes remaining in extra time.

The Sixers led the Celtics 114-112 when Boston had posssession. The Celtics some weaving motions and passes at the top of the 3-point line before Al Horford handed a pass off to Irving.

"Uncle Drew" used Horford for a screen, getting some separation from Jimmy Butler, before putting up a straightaway trey. He sank that attempt to give Boston a one-point lead.

The Celtics then smothered the Sixers defensively on the other end, forcing J.J. Redick to throw up a desperation 3-pointer as the shot clock expired.

Jayson Tatum collected the rebound and threw a pass up to Irving in transition. The Celtics guard flew down the court and didn't even think about going into the paint. Irving picked up his dribble while moving and launched a 3-pointer, swishing it for a four-point advantage with 1:28 remaining.

Tatum went on to make two free throws down the stretch and Gordon Hayward made one of his two shots from the foul line in the final seconds to seal the victory.

Irving scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and overtime for the Celtics. He also sent the game to overtime with a clutch fade-away jumper against Butler in the final seconds of regulation.

"It's just great because Kyrie kept taking those big shots or making the right play," Horford told NBA.com. "Just having the ball in his hands. It was a lot of fun. The crowd went crazy after that second one so emotions running high."

The Celtics battle the Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Toyota Center in Houston. The Sixers face the Utah Jazz at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.