‘Can’t get lower than this’: Celtics humble 76ers despite Embiid’s return amid Harden howler

The Celtics demolished the 76ers 121-87 with a hail of three-pointers to stage the convention semi-finals collection 1-1 regardless of Philadelphia being boosted by the return of MVP Joel Embiid.

After a four-point Game 1 defeat the place Embiid sat as a consequence of a knee damage, Boston returned to residence court docket and blew out the guests with 20 three-pointers to 6.

The Celtics by no means trailed after the primary quarter, main by eight factors at half time earlier than a third-quarter explosion.

Boston ran riot within the third time period, outscoring the 76ers 35-16 to guide 92-65 on the last break earlier than cruising to the 34-point victory. It was Philadelphia’s second-lowest rating in 1 / 4 all season, whereas the Celtics had seven assists and no turnovers in that interval as three-pointers rained down.

Philadelphia’s 87 factors is the fewest Boston has conceded all season, beating the earlier low of 92.

The 76ers shot simply 6-30 from three-point vary (20%), in comparison with Boston’s 20 of 51 (39.2%).

“For Doc Rivers, it can’t get any lower than this,” one ESPN commentator mentioned.

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The Celtics have been led by 25 factors for Jaylen Brown on 9-17 taking pictures together with 3-6 three-pointers. He added three rebounds and 4 assists plus two steals.

Malcolm Brogdon – the NBA’s sixth man of the yr after averaging 14.9 factors, 4.2 rebounds & 3.7 assists this season – delivered a dominant efficiency off the bench, with 23 factors on 6-10 taking pictures from three-point vary plus six rebounds.

Jayson Tatum performed simply 19 minutes and notched simply seven factors on 1-7 taking pictures, with seven assists and 4 private fouls. But his quiet night time was offset by the performances of his Boston teammates – and Tatum nonetheless completed with a game-high plus-minus of +24. Marcus Smart and Derrick White each had 15 factors.

For Philadelphia, no participant managed greater than Tobias Harris’ 16 factors (7-12 taking pictures with 7 rebounds).

James Harden, recent off a 45-point recreation one, managed simply 12 factors on 2-14 taking pictures together with 0-6 from deep. He did nevertheless submit 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

Embiid managed 27 minutes and confirmed promising indicators on his return from a left knee concern, transferring nicely and notching 15 factors on 4-9 taking pictures with three rebounds and a formidable 5 blocks.

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