We’re really not sure who to give the game ball to after this Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers game. Al Horford was a pure beast down the stretch. Jayson Tatum was lighting it up like a veteran. Or Brad Stevens, one of the big reasons this team is even here in the first place, in the driver’s seat and one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals.
Don’t get it twisted, Philly put up a fight, but small mistakes and mind lapses in the most clutch moments cost them the game.
The Sixers had plenty of chances to win the game, but they missed opportunity.
Joel Embiid was out there leaving his blood, sweat and tears on the floor, at one point demanding to get back in the game after being taken out. He led all Celtics scorers and finished with 22 points and a monster 19 rebounds.
Ben Simmons also improved from last game, with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
But it was the last seconds of the fourth quarter (and overtime) that gave the Celtics the biggest chance to stay in the game and ultimately get the victory.
Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown came up huge at the end of regulation to put Boston up two points with only 1.7 seconds left thanks to a steal in transition. Then Marco Belinelli hit the miracle shot at the buzzer to send the game to OT.
Towards the end of overtime, the C’s ran an in-bounds play perfectly, setting up Horford one-on-one with Robert Covington. The bucket put the Celtics up one with 5.5 seconds left. Unfortunately, another turnover (and steal by Horford) led to free throws and an even bigger lead for the Celtics.
Two miracle shots in one game weren’t going to happen for the Sixers on this night.
After the game Playoff Al praised Coach Stevens and called him a “genius” for his coaching down the stretch and also gave props to Tatum for an excellent game. He also gives it up to his team for playing hard every night because they’re trying to find a way, even through all the adversity they have faced.
The series is now 3-0 in favor of Boston with the brooms almost out for the young Philly squad. Hopefully they can at least go out with some pride and avoid the sweep at home. Even if the series is presumably over.