PHILADELPHIA — James Harden hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in time beyond regulation and scored 42 factors to assist the Philadelphia 76ers stave off a wild Boston Celtics comeback in a 116-115 victory on Sunday that evened their playoff sequence at 2-2.
Marcus Smart’s potential winner was a tick too late and the Celtics now head dwelling for Tuesday’s Game 5. The 76ers are assured to return dwelling for Game 6 on Thursday.
Smart and Jayson Tatum keyed a Celtics rally from 15 factors down with 2 minutes left within the third quarter in hopes of seizing management of the sequence.
The Sixers have been on the point of defeat quite a few occasions over the ultimate 17 minutes, none greater than when Joel Embiid crashed into Smart on a driving, one-handed financial institution shot with 1:49 left however was whistled for an offensive foul. The play was reviewed and the decision stood. Boston saved its 112-111 lead with 1:49 left in OT.
Embiid, the NBA MVP, saved his composure and finally obtained to the road to sink two free throws with 59 seconds left and the season within the steadiness.
Embiid had 34 factors and 13 rebounds. Harden added 9 assists and eight rebounds.
Tatum struggled to attain early however completed with 24 factors, 18 rebounds, six assists and 4 blocks. Jaylen Brown scored 23 factors and Smart had 21.
They went to time beyond regulation tied 107-all after Smart was brief on a 3 on the horn on one of many few clutch photographs Boston missed within the fourth quarter.
Boston’s enjoyable started within the interval when Smart and Brown buried consecutive 3-pointers and Tatum attacked the rim for a bucket that worn out an eight-point gap in 90 seconds. Al Horford put them forward 98-90 — on a possession that began on the opposite finish when Tyrese Maxey had his shot blocked — and shimmied for the group as boos rained on him.
Yes, the 76ers had dwelling court docket however followers tensed up as recollections all these second-round exits since 2001 stirred contained in the constructing. Smart and Malcolm Brogdon hit consecutive 3s for a 105-100 lead.
But it was P.J. Tucker, the guts and guts of the Sixers, who once more did the soiled work on a defensive rebound a bucket. He made the free throw with 1:05 left and the tie recreation gave them new life.
Good Game James confirmed up in Game 4 for the 76ers and Embiid performed extra just like the MVP he was within the common season than the banged-up version with a sprained proper knee of the final two video games.
Harden performed in Game 1 like he was nonetheless the MVP in Houston and dropped 45 factors to spur the upset highway victory. Then, his recreation disappeared and he performed two of the worst video games of his profession. Harden’s 5-for-28 mixed taking pictures in Games 2 and three was worst effort for him over any two-game span in his profession — common season or playoffs.
The greatest the 76ers might do forward of Game 4 was hope for a productive Harden.
Philly obtained him.
Harden hit all three 3s within the first half and scored 21 factors, 5 greater than his Game 3 complete. Embiid was as potent as he wanted to carry out and had 19 factors and 11 boards to present the 76ers a 59-50 lead.
Boston suffered this time from a scarcity of star energy. Tatum missed his first eight photographs earlier than he scored a bucket simply earlier than the half, only one woeful effort in a half the place the Celtics shot 38% from the ground.
TIP-INS
Celtics: Horford joined Tatum as Celtics with one basket within the first half. Brown tried to assist with a 7-of-11 effort for 16 factors.
76ers: Julius Erving was in the home. … Embiid and Harden are the primary Sixers teammates with 30 factors every in a playoff recreation since Embiid and Seth Curry did it in June 2021 towards Atlanta.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com