The Boston Celtics put on a dominating performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by a fantastic game from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics easily defeated the Sixers 112-88 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Celtics vs. Sixers: Game 7 Overview
The stage was set for a thrilling Game 7 matchup between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. The winner would move on to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the loser would go home for the offseason.
The Celtics got off to a hot start, scoring the game’s first seven points and never looking back. They led by as many as 20 points in the first half and took a comfortable 62-47 lead into halftime. The Sixers made a brief run in the third quarter to cut the deficit to single digits, but the Celtics responded with a 16-3 run to put the game out of reach.
First Quarter
The Celtics got off to a hot start, opening the game on a 10-0 run and never looking back. They held the 76ers to just 19 points in the quarter, while Tatum scored 11 points to give Boston a 15-point lead.
Second Quarter
The 76ers started the quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to single digits, but the Celtics responded with a 14-0 run of their own to put the game out of reach. Brown scored 12 points in the quarter to help Boston take a 26-point lead into halftime.
Third Quarter
The 76ers showed some signs of life in the third quarter, scoring 33 points and cutting the lead to 17 at one point, but the Celtics were able to weather the storm and maintain a comfortable lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Celtics put the game away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the 76ers 26-18 to seal the victory and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
What’s Next for the Celtics?
The Celtics will now face the winner of the Brooklyn Nets-Milwaukee Bucks series in the Eastern Conference finals. They’ll have a few days to rest and prepare before the series begins, but they’ll need to continue playing at a high level if they want to advance to the NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum’s Heroic Performance
Jayson Tatum was the star of the show for the Celtics, finishing with a game-high 41 points on 15-of-26 shooting. He was unstoppable from the start, scoring 23 points in the first half alone. Tatum also added five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the win.
Tatum has been playing at an incredible level throughout the playoffs, averaging 31.2 points per game in the first round against the Washington Wizards and 33.4 points per game in the second round against the Sixers. He is quickly becoming one of the best players in the league and will be a handful for whichever team the Celtics face in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jaylen Brown’s All-Around Game
Jaylen Brown also had a fantastic game for the Celtics, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He was aggressive from the start, attacking the basket and knocking down shots from the outside. Brown’s defense was also a key factor in the win, as he helped to limit the Sixers to just 88 points on the night.
Brown has been a consistent performer for the Celtics all season long, averaging 20.6 points per game in the regular season and 22.5 points per game in the playoffs. He is a key part of the Celtics’ success and will be a major factor in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Celtics Bench Steps Up
The Celtics got a solid contribution from their bench in Game 7, as several players stepped up to make key plays. Marcus Smart had a rough shooting night but contributed in other ways, finishing with six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Payton Pritchard knocked down a pair of threes and finished with eight points, while Grant Williams provided some tough defense and finished with five rebounds.
Embiid Struggles, Harris Disappears
Despite coming into the game as the heavy favorites, the 76ers struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Joel Embiid, who had been dominant throughout the series, had a tough night, scoring just 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Tobias Harris was even worse, scoring just 6 points on 2-of-10 shooting.
Celtics Defense Shuts Down Sixers
The Celtics’ defense was the key to their victory, as they held the 76ers to just 36.8% shooting from the field and 26.5% shooting from beyond the arc. They also forced 14 turnovers and blocked 9 shots in the game. The Celtics’ defense was led by Marcus Smart, who had 4 steals in the game, and Al Horford, who had 3 blocks.
Brad Stevens’ Gameplan
Celtics’ head coach Brad Stevens deserves credit for coming up with a gameplan that was able to shut down the 76ers’ offense. The Celtics played tough, physical defense throughout the game, and their offense was able to take advantage of the 76ers’ lackluster defense.
Doc Rivers’ Coaching Struggles
On the other side, 76ers’ head coach Doc Rivers had a tough night, as he was unable to come up with a solution to the Celtics’ stifling defense. Rivers was also criticized for his decision to keep Harris in the game despite his poor shooting performance.
Celtics Look Ahead to Eastern Conference Finals
With the victory, the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they will face the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks-Brooklyn Nets series. The Celtics will have their work cut out for them, as both the Bucks and the Nets are formidable opponents.
Potential Matchups in the Eastern Conference Finals
If the Bucks win the series, the Celtics will face off against the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his talented teammate Khris Middleton. The Celtics will need to find a way to contain Antetokounmpo, who has been dominant in the playoffs so far.
If the Nets win the series, the Celtics will have to contend with a team that boasts three superstars in Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics will need to play lockdown defense and hope that their offense can keep up with the Nets’ high-powered attack.
Tatum and Brown vs. Giannis and Middleton
Regardless of who the Celtics face in the Eastern Conference Finals, the matchup between Tatum and Brown and Antetokounmpo and Middleton will be a key factor in the series. Tatum and Brown have been dominant throughout the playoffs, and they will need to continue their stellar play if the Celtics hope to make it to the NBA Finals.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics put together an impressive performance in Game 7, dominating the Philadelphia 76ers on both ends of the court. With the victory, they advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they will face a tough opponent in either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Brooklyn Nets. If the Celtics can continue to play at the level they did in Game 7, they have a chance to make it to the NBA Finals. Please refer here for complete schedule.
FAQs
Who won Game 7 between the Celtics and 76ers?
The Boston Celtics won Game 7, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88.
Who were the key performers for the Celtics?
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the key performers for the Celtics, scoring 35 and 23 points, respectively.
Who will the Celtics play in the Eastern Conference finals?
The Celtics will play the winner of the Brooklyn Nets-Milwaukee Bucks series in the Eastern Conference finals.
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