Awesome and terrible o James Hardenheld them upright Sixers and affixed his signature to 116-115 overtime win over the Celtics, for a 2-2 tie in the East semifinals. The “bearded” not only had 42 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds, but he was the one who sent the match to extra five minutes (105-105) with a difficult shot at 15”, while his own three-pointer formed the final score at 18′ ‘ before the end of extra time.
THE Joel Embiid had 34 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners, while Tyrese Maxey added 14 points. For the Celtics o Jason Tatum had 24 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks, the Jaylen Brown added 23 points and 5 assists, while 21 points and 7 assists were Marcus Smart. Malcolm Brogdon added another 19 points, while Al Horford had 10, playing very good MVP defense.
With Embiid having 12 points in the half and Harden taking the baton in the second period, the Sixers were in control in the first half reaching as much as +16 (56-40), despite the efforts of Brown and Brogdon. Tatum, who was 1/9 shooting in the first half, woke up in the third period and helped his team stay in the game.
The Celtics fired back in the final period to tie the game, 96-96, with 5:25 left. With Horford’s dunk, the guests went ahead, 96-98, while with consecutive three-pointers from Smart and Brogdon, they reached +5 (100-105), with 2:03 remaining. The home team equalized with Tucker’s goal-foul at 1:06 (105-105), while Harden with a difficult runner made it 107-107 at 15” and Smart missed a free three-pointer in exhalation.
JAMES HARDEN CLUTCH TO FORCE OT ?? pic.twitter.com/Mj1stbdXbp
— ESPN (@espn) May 7, 2023
The thriller continued in overtime, where neither team could pull within more than a shot. With Tatum’s three-pointer at 37” before the end, the Celtics went ahead, 113-115, but Harden answered at 18” for 116-115. The visitors had the final possession, but Tatum was late and Smart’s 3-pointer was clear as the Sixers celebrated a 2-2 tie.
HARDEN GAME-WINNER ??
What an ending in Philly!? pic.twitter.com/nutrUxXHHI
— ESPN (@espn) May 7, 2023
Game 5 will take place early Wednesday morning (02:30) in Boston.
Twelve minutes: 27-19, 59-50, 92-83, 107-107,
See the statistics here
Source: Sport Fm
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