BOSTON — Isaiah Thomas had 27 points and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-95 on Wednesday night in the season opener for each team.

Led by Thomas, Boston’s reserves outscored their counterparts with Philadelphia, 67-15. Amir Johnson added 15 points and seven rebounds, and Jared Sullinger had 12 points and seven boards.

Jahlil Okafor, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, led the 76ers with 26 points. Nerlens Noel had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Isaiah Canaan scored 18 points.

The Celtics grabbed control in the final period, opening an 86-71 lead on Jonas Jerebko’ transition 3-pointer from the left corner.

Philadelphia trailed by 11 at the break, but closed to 72-67 on Hollis Thompson’s 3-pointer from the left corner. Boston then scored the final seven points of the third. Thomas, who had 13 in the quarter, nailed a 3 from the right wing in the final seconds.

Coming off a 40-42 record and a seventh-place finish in the Eastern Conference in coach Brad Stevens’ second season, the Celtics entered their 70th year in the NBA loaded with a roster full of what could be described as complimentary players who could fill different roles.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, is young again. Twelve of the 15 players on the 76ers’ opening roster had two years or less of NBA experience. They went 18-64 last season, and then drafted Okafor out of Duke.

Okafor had 10 points to help the 76ers open a 26-17 lead late in the first quarter before Boston scored 25 of the next 30 points.

Smart hit a 3 at the buzzer, giving Boston a 51-40 halftime edge.


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