The Boston Celtics saved themselves from elimination with a 95-86 win in Game 6 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday and brought the series to 3-3. Here’s what you need to know:
- Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jayson Tatum finished the game with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four turnovers.
- Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 26 points for the 76ers.
- Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in Boston.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Boston’s defense showed up when it mattered
The Celtics were an offensive disaster for much of that game. But they’ve built an identity on defense over the years that emerged when it mattered most, as they nailed their adaptations, found their heart and knocked out the Sixers at crucial times.
Philadelphia didn’t score a single shot between Embiid at 6:10 and Jaden Springers with 22 seconds to go.
Boston knew his best shot at winning this game was to ramp up his defense and start running. The half-court offense was truly heinous. But if they couldn’t get what they wanted, they would take it from Philadelphia, too.
They just had to survive long enough for one of their stars to pull through, and Tatum went from nightmare to hero over time. That was an ugly win, but they survived game seven at home. – White
76ers miss big opportunity
Philadelphia was all right about its willingness to travel to Boston for Game 7, but this has a chance to go down as one of the biggest missed opportunities in franchise history. The Sixers defended at a high level, Tatum struggled all game and they just couldn’t take advantage of it.
Specifically, the 76ers could not score a goal. They had a 90.5 offensive rating per Cleaning The Glass, their worst offensive performance all season. The Celtics’ two-big offense screwed up the gap (and that’s going to be a big talking point in Game 7 in Boston Sunday be), and the Sixers scored a miserable 8 of 34 throws from distance.
James Harden went off 4 of 16 as he had another downgame. If the Sixers are indeed eliminated in Boston, they will think about their poor performance later in the fourth quarter in Boston. — Hofmann
backstory
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla made an adjustment, starting Robert Williams III in place of Derrick White for Game 6. Smart, Jaylen Brown, Tatum, Williams and Al Horford were the starting XI for Boston. Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and White were the only players to come off the bench to score 25 points together.
After struggling in the first three quarters, Tatum looked more like himself in the final 12 minutes, scoring 16 of his 19 points and batting an overwhelming three-pointer from behind. Tatum shot 5 of 21 from field and 4 of 11 from behind the archway.
Harden had 13 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, three steals and five turnovers. Embiid, Harden and Maxey were the only 76ers to score double digits.
climax of the game
key stats
Philadelphia had more turnovers (11) than three turnovers (eight) and was overtaken by the Celtics 50-38.
required reading
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)