Back to the wall and on the brink of elimination, the Celtics managed to snatch a capital victory in Philadelphia (95-86). The series returns to Boston for a Game 7!
For the house stats sheet, it’s right here.
Condemned to victory to avoid the holidays, the Celtics enter their game well. The defense is in place, the entry of Robert Williams in the five is good to lock the racket and offer a little verticality in attack. Marcus Smart sets the tone with a steal and two quick bombs from the parking lot, Boston pleases. On the Philly side, it’s a bit of a grimace soup with Harden and Embiid who are in the hard to shoot, leaving Tyrese Maxey to play the leader for the Sixers. The Celtics close well behind and they are hot from the parking lot, like an explosive Malcolm Brogdon off the bench, the gap is growing quickly.
The good news for Philly is that Jayson Tatum is having a bad night in scoring (0/10 at the break!) but the Sixers also know they can never win if Embiid and Harden don’t do better on offense. Largely dominated in this first half, Philadelphia got its head out of the water (a little) before the break. The defense is finally effective, James Harden electrifies the Wells Fargo Center with a big tomar and the pair Maxey – Embiid takes care of scoring. A small 13-4 allows the Sixers to return to an acceptable distance at the break: 50-43 Boston.
HARDEN TO THE RACK ????
????: ESPN | Game 6 pic.twitter.com/VvZ2tEIh4f
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2023
The return from the locker room confirms the impression of the end of the first half: Boston is seriously beginning to stammer its basketball. The ball does not move in attack, it is too predictable and too easy to counter for Philly. Without forgetting that Jayson Tatum continues his shooting cata evening. Philly definitely seizes the momentum. Embiid finally comes out of his box in attack, Maxey and Harden in support, George Niang offers good minutes off the bench at long distance and in defensive involvement. While Boston had a 16-point lead in the first half, it was Philly who took the lead before the start of money time. (73-71)
12 minutes to decide the outcome of this game. 12 minutes to save the season for the Celtics. 12 minutes to seek qualification for Philly. The Celtics want to believe it, the excellent Marcus Smart (22 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) sounds the charge. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are there to answer him. The momentum seems to be in favor of the Sixers but there are only two points difference, nothing is done.
We then arrive at the highlight of our match: the awakening of Jayson Tatum. Next to his pumps during 3/4 of the match, the Jay Brother will illuminate this end of the match. A first 3-point shot on the head of Joel Embiid, a second 40 seconds later on Tyrese Maxey. Boston takes control! It’s Philadelphia’s turn to doubt and the Sixers’ offense completely seizes up against the Celtics’ defense. With Smart in support, Jayson Tatum will drive the point home with two new award-winning shots to put down the Wells Fargo Center once and for all. Game Over. We will have the right to a Game 7!
16 POINTS IN Q4 FOR JAYSON TATUM ????
Celtics lead Game 6 on ESPN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/wM8t3d6naV
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2023
2023-05-12 03:07:37
#Celtics #Boston #snatches #victory #Philly
