Boston tied against Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday. David Butler II / REUTERS
Boston won Game 2 against Philadelphia (121-87) despite the return of the neo-MVP, to tie at 1-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday.
Boston, which was required to do so on pain of mortgaging its qualification, largely beat Philadelphia (121-87) and its MVP Joel Embiid back from injury, to tie with a victory everywhere in their Eastern Conference semi-final, Wednesday in NBA playoffs.
This time, the Celtics have not scuttled their efforts, falling off the last quarter. A not really sweet sin, which had sanctioned them with a defeat at TD Garden, in the first round against Atlanta with Trae Young for executioner (38 pts), and another to open their series against the Sixers, James Harden being a pleasure to reverse the situation almost single-handedly (45 pts).
«It was very important to win this game and I think we deserved itReacted Jaylen Brown, his team’s leading scorer with 25 points scored in three quarters.
It must be said that the finalists of last season, also guided by the precious 6th man Malcolm Brogdon (23 pts, 6/10 behind the arc), already had a 32 unit lead shortly before the end of the third quarter. Also, a comeback was therefore highly unlikely, it being understood that Philly could be satisfied with having already recovered the advantage of the floor and therefore avoid providing a great useless effort.
Especially since good news came all the same to accompany this setback: the return of Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian pivot, named MVP of the season for the first time on Tuesday, has certainly not been as mobile and dominant as he usually is inside (15 pts at 4/9 in shots) after almost two weeks without playing, but his right knee recovered from a sprain has apparently held up well.
Harden muzzled
«There’s nothing quite like playing a match and finding your rhythm. I thought tonight was going well, but it should get better as the days go by“, he said, adding”anyway, I have no excuses, if I’m there, I can play».
In the first period, he was also well “To be“, being very dissuasive in defense with five counterattacks inflicted, including a very impressive one to repel a dunk attempt from Brown. Moments earlier, he had put up a wall in front of Jayson Tatum, sent back to the ground and a little shy as he got up.
The star of the C’s was also not in a great evening, limited to 7 points (1/7 on shots, 7 rebounds), without this penalizing his partners, because the ardor put in defense “made the difference“said Jaylen Brown.
«We made sure to be aggressive. We had to set the tone in this sector“, insisted the latter.
First victim of these newfound desires, James Harden was much less in verve than during his recital in the first round, paying a starving address to the shots (2/14 including 0/6 at long distance, 10 rebounds).
So much so that it was Tobias Harris (16 pts) who, for once, finished as the team’s top scorer.
«We were pretty bad offensively, but we have to admit that their pressure on the ball devoured us all night.“analyzed coach Doc Rivers, Embiid pointing out that the C’s”played with more desperation» than the Sixers.
«We knew they were going to react after the first game and we were just not ready enough. But we’ll fix it“During match N.3 Friday in Philadelphia, promised the Cameroonian.
