The Boston Celtics put four players in double figures Friday night, and used a late 10-0 run to help secure a 102-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in game three of an Eastern Conference First Round Series at the Walt Disney World Resort. Boston now leads the best of seven series 3-0.
Boston led the entire first quarter, leading by as many as nine and 26-24 after the opening 12 minutes. Philadelphia took a brief three point lead early in the second, before the Celtics regained momentum going up again by eight and held a 51-49 lead at the break. The 76ers again took a very brief one point in the third, but again the green increased it back to seven and led 76-72 headed to the fourth quarter. Philadelphia tied it on a driving layup by Shake Milton with 9:22 left at 78-78. Jayson Tatum scored five of the next seven points for the Celts with a three-pointer and a layup to make it 85-78. A jumper by Milton with 4:38 remaining made it 90-89 in favor of the 76ers, before Jaylen Brown got fouled on a three point attempt and hit all three at the line 50 seconds later. Joel Embiid made 2-2 from the line in consecutive possessions though to give the lead back to Philadelphia 94-92. Boston though would score the final 10 points, starting with an unconventional three point play by Brown with 1:37 left on the clock. After a turnover, Tatum was fouled on a clear path and hit 1-2 from the line and then with the ball back in their possession, Kemba Walker hit a step back jumper for a four point lead. Marcus Smart iced things hitting four foul shots in the final 36 seconds.
Walker led Boston in the win with 24 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Brown added 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Tatum finished with 15 points and six rebounds, while Smart had 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Embiid led the way for the third straight game in the Philadelphia loss with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Milton and Josh Richardson had 17 points a piece, while Tobias Harris added 15. The Celtics go for a first round sweep when game four tips off on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
