2023-05-02 03:34:30
The shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers took a huge 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals following going into Boston and taking down the Celtics at TD Garden in Game 1. James Harden gave flashbacks of his day’s as the NBA’s scoring champion, posting 45 in the 119-115 win.
No Embiid in Game 1
Joel Embed was ruled out of the series opener just hours before tip off and the Sixers were going to need a big night from everyone if they were to steal the first game in Boston.
Philly was coming off of a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets which meant they had 10 days to rest before the Celtics were ready to host them following a difficult series with the Hawks. The ten days weren’t enough to allow Joel Embiid to recover from his knee injury he suffered in Game 3 once morest the Nets.
With the big man on the sidelines Harden came out firing, but so did the Celtics who hits17 of 20 field goals in the first quarter to take a seven point lead. Harden scored 12 of his teams first 16 points and had 21 at halftime, while DeAnthony Melton chipped in another 17 off the bench. The bad news for the Sixers was they were losing at halftime. The good news was the deficit was just three despite the Celtics shooting 73.7% from the field and just waking to the basket with no Joel Embiid in the paint.
Harden wins duel with Tatum
Jaylen Brown got the C’s started with 14 points as he and Harden went blow for blow in the first quarter. In the second quarter Jayson Tatum took the wheel, and scored 20 of his 26 first half points in the second. Tatum would end the game with 39 points and Brown had another 23 but cooled down following the first quarter.
Out of the halftime break Tyrese Maxey showed once once more what a lethal scorer he can be in the playoffs, scoring 11 in the quarter as he gave Harden a chance to step out of the spotlight for a moment, but that moment wouldn’t last long.
Both teams exchanged shares of the lead in the fourth quarter and throughout the game, but it came down to Harden and Tatum at the end of the game. Philly took the lead following a Maxey lay up with under 30 to go following picking off a pass from Malcom Brogdon to finish off his 28 point game.
Game 2: Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET
Tatum would give the Celtics the lead with under 30 seconds to go from the FT line, but then it was Harden time. He hit one of his famous step back from the top of the key over the hand of Al Horford to give the Sixers the Game 1 on the road. He tied a playoff career high with 45 points in one of his most iconic performances of his carrer.
After stealing one in Boston, the attention will turn to Joel Embiid’s knee in the Philly locker room. He’s got a few days to make some progress before Game 2 tips off from TD Garden on Wednesday at 8 ET.
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