For the first time since 1982, Philadelphia has won an NBA playoff series over Boston. Joel Embiid had a game-high 34 points, and the 76ers made enough plays down the stretch when things got tight in the fourth quarter to come out with a 109-100 Game 7 victory at TD Garden on Saturday night.
The Celtics only led once (37-36) and that was in the second quarter, but the three-point shooting let them down again as the guests took over and led by as many as 18 in the third. Boston got within one on several occasions in the final period, but shot 1-10 in the final 3:49 losing a playoff series for the first in franchise history when they’ve had a 3-1 lead (32-0 previously). They shot 13-49 (26.5%) for the game from the three-point arc. Embiid added 12 rebounds and six assists to his point total, as the #7 seed Philadelphia (49-40) will meet #3 New York in the next round. It is their first playoff series win when trailing 3-1 (0-18 previously). Tyrese Maxey also had a double double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Rookie VJ Edgecombe put in 23 points. The Celtics played without Jayson Tatum (knee soreness) and were led by Jaylen Brown who had 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocked shots. Derrick White added 26 points but shot just 9-26 from the floor. Boston as the #2 seed, who had high hopes for another title run, is knocked out in the first round with a final record of 59-30.
Photos from the Philadelphia 76ers
