The Boston Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday afternoon 116-115 after a strong attempt at a comeback. Boston trailed by as many as 16 late in the third in a game where the Celtics’ defense couldn’t keep up with explosive performances from James Harden and Joel Embiid. Tighter defense saw Boston erase Philly’s lead, but the Celtics couldn’t secure the win.
Harden had 42 points to go with 8 rebounds and 9 assists, including a shot to force overtime and a bigger one to ice the game for Philly. Embiid was also very good, contributing 34 points and 13 boards. For Boston, it was Al Horford’s defense and Jayson Tatum’s offense that spurred the would-be comeback, but the Sixers were just a bit better.
The Eastern Conference Semifinals are now knotted at two games apiece, with Game 5 slotted for Tuesday night in Boston. For now, here’s what you missed from the Celtics’ Game 4 overtime loss to the 76ers.
‘The reality is that I am an elite shooter,’ admits Celtics’ Al Horford https://t.co/8Au0EwKZ0b
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 7, 2023
Boston's offense
Inconsistent offense was a theme for the Celtics in this game. At times, they were cold, evidenced by a 19-point first quarter and a poor first half by Jayson Tatum. In other stretches, though, Boston looked better and more consistent scoring the ball. When the Celts are humming, Philly’s defense really struggles to keep up.
Six players in green scored in double figures. This helped Boston overcome pedestrian performances from Tatum and Jaylen Brown. (Brown was great in the first half, and Tatum really shined down the stretch, but neither played to their potential.)
It was a good-not-great showing from the Celtics. Shooting 37.7% from 3 is good. Logging 25 assists to just 10 turnovers in an overtime game is also good. But none of it is exceptional. And it wasn’t enough to earn in a win, in part because Boston’s defense was also far from great.
PHOTOS – Boston at Philadelphia: Celtics fall 116-115in OT as 76ers tie series up at 2-2 https://t.co/Y24jTAnKOv
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 7, 2023
Boston's defense
Philadelphia’s stars were brilliant in Game 4. Each benefited from isolation looks, which Boston seemed unwilling to remedy. The Celtics have been wary of double teams in previous tilts and perhaps informed their defensive inflexibility. Either way, Embiid, and Harden took advantage.
Harden was quite good at picking apart Boston’s defense. He shot a smooth 16-for-23 from the field, sometimes pulling up right over his defender. He was also tremendous passing the ball, stretching the Celtics on the perimeter. Embiid, meanwhile, was more aggressive at the rim than he’s been in previous games this series. He hassled Boston’s bigs all night. Philly’s twin stars complimented each other well, seriously stretching Boston’s defense for much of the game.
Again, the Celtics weren’t dreadful on defense, certainly not all game long. And the team came within a few tenths of a second away from stealing a win on a Marcus Smart 3. But looking back, the defense was just average enough to allow Philly to take control and earn a victory.
“It happens, man,” offered the Charlotte native, who had no truck with his opponents’ misstep despite the danger it had put him in. https://t.co/UHW76c93wE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 7, 2023
Looking ahead
Boston has to win two of the next three games to punch a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. If this series goes the distance, Game 7 will be played Sunday in Boston.
Twice James Harden has eclipsed the 40-point mark against Boston this postseason. Boston will need to better account for the former MVP getting into a groove. The reigning MVP, Embiid, also needs to face more resistance on the defensive end.
Things are heating up in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 4 showed us the Celtics can more than meet and surpass everything the Sixers have to offer, but it remains to be seen if Boston can consistently turn that advantage into enough wins to advance.
Don’t miss out on this captivating deep-dive into the story behind the John Havlicek NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. https://t.co/yYHSY62NxF
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 7, 2023
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