What could have been a party for the 76ers and especially for Joel Embiid —recently elected MVP and absent in the first game due to a knee injury— turned into a real nightmare for those from Philadelphia who found themselves overwhelmed by some Celtics who managed to tie the series (1-1) thanks to a resounding victory at TD Garden (121-87).
On his return to the courts, the Cameroonian center added 15 points (four of nine on shots, seven of eight from the personnel line), three rebounds and five blocks in 27 minutes. In the Boston team, Jaylen Brown (25 points) and Malcolm Brogdon from the bench (23 points) led their team to victory.
For his part, James Harden, after his brilliant performance on Monday (45 points), had a night to forget this Wednesday with 12 points and 10 rebounds and an unfortunate 2 of 14 shots to the basket (zero of six in triples). None of Doc Rivers’ players scored more than 20 points and the Sixers went a dismal 6 of 30 on 3-pointers to a solid 20 of 51 for their opponents.
Already in the second quarter, the Celtics took a wide advantage on the scoreboard and left at halftime 57-49 against the Sixers who did not hit from the line of three (1 of 13). The superiority of the locals was even greater in the third period thanks to a convincing 7 of 15 in triples and a null response from their rivals.
Brown continued to lead the Celtics (nine points) with backing from Derrick White (10 points on 6-of-6 shooting) and Brogdon (9 points on 3-of-5 3-point range).
After a spectacular third quarter, the Boston Celtics landed in the last period with a huge advantage (92-65) and closed the game with a score of 121-87 that allowed them to tie the series (1-1). The series now travels to Philadelphia, where Game 3 will be played on Friday.
