Game: Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Odds: Sixers +10, Celtics -10
Total: 216.5
The Boston Celtics will try to bounce back from a surprising series-opening loss against the Philadelphia 76ers on their home court tonight by playing better defense. Boston’s Al Horford acknowledged that the team’s defensive commitment was lacking in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers on Monday night. Boston must now win Game 2 at home to avoid going down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Philadelphia won the first game of the series 119-115 despite playing without MVP candidate Joel Embiid who has an injured knee. Although James Harden scored a game-high 45 points, the 76ers’ supporting cast also contributed significantly. Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points for Philadelphia, Tobias Harris added 18 points, and De’Anthony Melton added 17 points off the bench. In addition, Paul Reed, who started at center in place of Embiid, contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds for Philadelphia.
According to head coach Doc Rivers, Embiid’s situation for Game 2 remained unchanged as of Tuesday afternoon. After sustaining a knee injury in Game 3 of Philadelphia’s series win over the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, he has missed the team’s last two games. He is listed on the injury report for tonight’s game as doubtful.
With Embiid out of the lineup, the rest of the Sixers lineup stepped up in Game 1. It’s something the Celtics have recognized. It’s almost as if Philadelphia is inspired to play for Embiid even though he is on the bench. Boston will have to be ready to deal with that tonight.
Jayson Tatum’s two free throws gave Boston a 115-114 advantage with 26.1 seconds remaining, but Harden’s 3-pointer, his seventh of the game on 14 attempts, gave Philadelphia the lead for good with 8.4 seconds left.
In a playoff game, Harden’s 45 points matched his previous high. He also contributed 45 points in Houston’s victory over Golden State in the 2015 Western Conference Finals while he was a member of the Rockets.
Tatum scored 39 points and Jaylen Brown added 23. Harden outscored the pair in the fourth quarter when it really mattered. Harden scored 15 points in the final quarter, which was five more than Tatum and Brown combined. Philadelphia went on a 12-4 run at the end of the game to seal the Game 1 victory.
Despite the Celtics’ 66-42 advantage in points in the paint, Harden’s 17-for-30 (56.7 percent) overall shooting effort was insurmountable. The win was the seventh straight for Philadelphia. The Sixers are 6-0-1 ATS in those seven games. It was just the fifth win in 20 tries for the Sixers on the road in Boston.
The Celtics are now 4-3 in their last seven games. In their last five games, Boston has given up 119 points or more. The Celtics ranked sixth in points allowed (111.7) this season. Over the last ten head-to-head meetings, Boston has given up just 104.4 points per game to Philadelphia.
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