NBA: James Harden with locker room announcement after 45-point gala against the Celtics – US-SPORT NBA BASKETBALL

Philadelphia takes the lead!

Thanks to an outstanding James Harden (33), the Philadelphia 76ers won the first game in the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Boston Celtics. Without their ailing superstar Joel Embiid (29/knee), the 76ers won 119:115 in Boston.

Harden goes ahead even after the game is over!

The man of the match didn’t just lead his team during the game. After the final siren, his teammates celebrated the victory on the floor. Harden didn’t like that at all and asked his team to stop and go into the dressing room.

Previously, Harden set his new personal best in a playoff game with 45 points. “The Beard” also converted the game-winning three point 8.7 seconds before the final siren. “I work on this litter every day. Whether it goes in or not, I have the confidence to throw it,” Harden said. “It’s a good win for us,” said the 33-year-old after the game.

On the Celtics side, it was Jayson Tatum (25) in particular, who tried in vain to resist defeat with 39 points and eleven rebounds. The 76ers now lead 1-0 in the best-of-seven series. The 76ers now need three more wins to reach the finals of the Eastern Conference.

Denver leads 2-0

The Denver Nuggets also won the second game against the Phoenix Suns. The team around superstar Nikola Jokic (28), two-time MVP, beat the Suns 97:87. The Nuggets only turned the game in the last quarter and didn’t let the Suns come back thanks to a strong defense. In the last twelve minutes, the guests from Phoenix only got 14 points.

Nikola Jokic had a strong 39 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Devin Booker (26) had 35 points, five rebounds and six assists for the Suns. His team-mate Kevin Durant (34) had 24 points and after the game set the route for the coming games. “There are no morale wins at this level. We now have to see what we can do better and we have to win the next two home games.”