BOSTON – Brad Stevens, coach of the Boston Celtics, knew it would be an emotional evening not only for Gordon Hayward, but also for Kyrie Irving and Daniel Theis, who missed a considerable time, including the playoffs playoffs, last season.

"Do your job right from the first possession," Stevens said before the game. "Let everything take care of yourself. Because it's the only way to go about it. I know it's a night full of emotion. It's moving for everyone to play an NBA game again. "

Stevens also predicted a botched basketball game, especially in the first quarter.

"There will be a lot of energy. There will likely be missed opportunities early because of that, "he said.

He was right on both counts.

Hayward, who was playing his first game since his ankle injury in the opening game a year ago, did not score his first points of the season before 11:50 of the second quarter. And Irving, who played his first game since March 11, missed his first eight shots and did not score in the first half. The Sixers had their own problems with 11 turnovers in the first two quarters.

Hayward and Irving had to be rusty, but the Celtics have always defeated Philadelphia, 105-87, which is why the Celtics are favorites to win the Eastern Conference: they are forming a deep and talented team.

Second-year striker Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 23 points, third-year goaltender Jaylen Brown took 12 and Boston's bench for a total of 44 points: 16 from Marcus Morris and 11 from Terry Rozier . Hayward finished with 10.

The Celtics were far from their best in the first game, but it's easy to see how good they will be. They have just defeated a Sixers team with the intention of playing until May and beyond.

Just wait until Hayward and Irving resume their rhythm. Irving had the worst offensive night of the two, scoring a double for 14 on the field (one for 8 on three points) for seven points in 29 minutes.

Hayward was offended in his second-half match in the second half and finished with 10 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes. Stevens has been careful with their minutes and he can afford to do so given Boston's options.

Ben Simmons had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, and Joel Embiid had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Philadelphia.

An underestimated comeback from the Philadelphia side: Assistant Monty Williams was back on an NBA bench as a coach for the first time since the death of his wife Ingrid in a car accident. February 2016.

Stevens called him. It was an emotionally charged night for more than one person.

Follow Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt