Celtics keep season alive with 95-86 victory over Philadelphia 76ers as Marcus Smart takes on Boston in Game 6…while NFL stars Damar Hamlin and the Kelce brothers watch on court
- NBA MVP Joel Embiid led the way for Philly with 26 points and added 10 rebs
- Boston dominated the fourth quarter to secure a massive comeback in the second half
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Jayson Tatum missed his first six three-pointers before drilling two straight clutches late in the game that pushed the Celtics past the Philadelphia 76ers 95-86 on Thursday night to send the Eastern Conference semifinals back to Boston for Game 7.
The defending champions of the Conference are on familiar ground. Boston trailed 3-2 in the second round against Milwaukee last season before winning Game 6 on the road and the clincher at home.
Sunday is match 7.
Tatum, who averaged 30.1 points in the regular season, never stopped shooting, even as the misses kept coming. He missed 14 of his first 15 total shots from the floor and his ineffectiveness was a major reason the Celtics were unable to hold onto a 16-point lead.
With a shot at their first conference final since 2001 on the line, the Sixers slogged through the first half before Joel Embiid showed his MVP form and lifted the Sixers to a fourth-quarter lead.
The Boston Celtics kept their season alive for one more game by beating the 76ers in Game 6
Marcus Smart played a major role for the Celtics in leading the team to victory by 22 points
NBA MVP Joel Embiid led the way for Philly with 26 points and added 10 rebounds in loss
Tyrese Maxey skipped two free throws 5:25 for an 83-81 lead.
And that was it for Philly.
Tatum buried a 3 for the 84-83 lead and a second that made it 87-83 and gave the Celtics firm control of Game 6.
Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 26 points for the 76ers.
76ers coach Doc Rivers has won three 3-1 leads during his playoff career. While the 76ers never got that far ahead, this is their second home loss in the series and they had seemingly seized momentum in the fourth quarter.
Tatum instead held it against the 76ers with a final 3-point dagger for a 95-84 lead.
Tatum missed all 10 shots, including five three-point attempts, in the first half as the Celtics led by seven.
76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey put in another strong performance, also scoring 26 points
(LR) Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles watch game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals
Bill’s safety Demar Hamlin greeted Donovan Mitchell as he watched the game
He has said he may need surgery on his left wrist after a hard fall in the off-season.
Whatever the cause of his shooting problems, he found the cure in the last 12 minutes and the East champions are still alive.
The Kelce Brothers, Eagles center Jason and Chiefs tight end Travis were seen lining the court watching the game.
Bill’s security Demar Hamlin was also present and seen talking to Caviler’s guard Donovan Mitchell at court.