The Philadelphia 76ers hit the street to Boston with “huge confidence” this week after profitable 116-115 in Game 4 towards the Celtics on Sunday to stage its convention semifinal sequence courtesy of one other clutch three-pointer from James Harden.
The 10-time NBA All-Star pushed the sport into time beyond regulation with a floating leap shot and sealed it with 18 seconds left in time beyond regulation with a 24-foot jumper off an help from newly minted MVP Joel Embiid.
“I put the work in so it’s all about being aggressive,” stated Harden, who produced 42 factors – simply shy of his profession playoff excessive 45 – with eight rebounds and 9 assists. “Tonight was really do or die.”
The recreation was a much-needed injection of confidence, Harden stated in a televised interview after the sport, after a pair of demoralizing losses with Embiid battling by a sprained proper knee.
“Huge confidence, huge confidence. I felt like last game, we didn’t play well offensively – defensively we played extremely hard but we didn’t get our shots to fall,” stated Harden.
“Tonight we did a much better job of spacing the floor, giving guys room to operate.”
He had added motivation with a particular invited visitor at courtside: John Hao, a Harden super-fan and pupil at Michigan State who was paralysed in a campus taking pictures earlier this yr.
Harden, who spoke to Hao whereas he was hospitalised and beforehand pledged to assist pay his medical payments, took off his footwear after the sport and signed them for Hao.
“He just gave me good luck – he brought me good vibes, good energy,” stated Harden, including he would invite Hao “every game – here on out.”
The Sixers face the Celtics in Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday.
