Harden’s historic display against the Celtics in a memorable game

Vtraveling in the DeLorean. the time machine James Harden and a series to claim the greatest offensive one-on-one weapon of the past decade. Light on his feet for the ‘stepback’, decisive in finishing and a mid-range shot from another era. AND Joel EmbiidOf course. As amazing as Harden is as a passer, it’s Embiid’s versatility as a scorer that makes them a terrific duo on that side of the field.. Against the Boston Celtics, pure survival. A memorable end to a memorable game (116-115). Marcus Smart he almost overshadowed James’ historic performance. The clock prevented it. Doc Rivers breathes. The city of Philadelphia survives.

Match Stats:

James Harden, con 42 points (16-23 in TC, 6-9 in T3), nine assists, eight rebounds and four recoveries has been the beacon for the 76ers. The winning shot, yours. No one else’s. Then there’s Joel Embiid, with 34 points (11-26 in TC), 13 rebounds and four assists. Not Boston, Jaylen Brown (23 points, 10-16 in TC), Jayson Tatum (24 points, 9-20 in TC) and Al Horford (10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five blocks) were the leaders of the green resistance.

De’Anthony Melton’s defense against Jayson Tatum (0-5 in TC) and Joel Embiid’s dominance in paint (12 points and five rebounds) would mark the beginning of the game. Despite shooting problems (1-9 in T3), Doc Rivers’s pupils would prevail in the first quarter: 27-19. He squeezed and a lot of Philadelphia under the rim. There was no option for Robert Williams, Horford or White. And Embiid being differential in his own basket. Sensational.

James Harden would appear in the second quarter. The Beard, unlike Game 3, he was finding the crack in the green defense through his ability in 1 vs 1 and scored 12 points (5-5 in TC) in four minutes. Jaylen Brown with foul problems, Jayson Tatum at zero points and Harden generating and getting easy points. Everything was going well at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Celtics came out alive thanks to Malcolm Brogdon (13 points). The offensive collapse in the Celtics was total. Tatum taking 23:32 to basket his first basket (1/9). Disastrous. And the Celtics needed him more than ever. Boston was 6/18 on shots from the paint and 1/6 on offensive rebounding. Embiid, a very long shadow. At halftime, +9 Philadelphia.

First attack of the second half, Tatum attacked the hoop and scored two points. And two more offensive rebounds on the next play. Boston was close (-5), but a run of 14-5 put land back in the middle. Rowing, rowing and more rowing. That is what Mazzulla’s men had to do to reach the end of the game with options. After registering 13-18 in field goals, at the end of the third Boston was still alive, to nine points. JT appeared, making his last six shots.

More than 13,000 minutes in his NBA career and Embiid continues to make the same readings on the ‘traps’ as when he was a rookie. That is the true limit that the 76ers have and not their physique. Partial 4-13 with five minutes to go and the Celtics equalized the game. Non-existent defensive transitions, Brown and Tatum appeared, Al Horford giving Philadelphians nightmares (three blocks) and Doc Rivers was asking for time. Six points from the locals in nine minutes. Philadelphia knew how to avoid the ‘mismatch’ quite well in the last three attacks, which were all played by Smart. Extension.

Jayson Tatum was showing his great dimension as a player. Given the lack of success, he was dedicating himself to doing absolutely everything else: defend, generate, help, rebound…and with a few seconds to go, he scored a crucial triple against Tyrese Maxey. And, as if it were written, James Harden, from the corner, finished the game with another triple. Marcus Smart He responded with another outside pitch to give Boston the victory, but he reached tenths out of time. The Sixers tie the series 2-2. Boston returns from Philly with the home court factor restored.