Jayson Tatum provided a long-overdue blazing start before finishing with an NBA-first finish. After struggling in the previous two games, Tatum exploded for 51 points, the most in a Game 7. The Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive year.
Photo Cred: USA Today
Tatum scored 25 points in the back-and-forth first half and 17 more points in Boston’s 33-10 third quarter, which turned a three-point advantage into a runaway. Boston rallied from a 3-2 series hole to keep its dreams of an incredible 18th NBA championship alive. Tatum added 13 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown scored 25 points.
Photo Cred: USA Today
For Philadelphia, newly crowned NBA MVP Joel Embiid scored 15 points on 5-for-18 shooting, and Tobias Harris added 19. The Sixers were eliminated in the conference semifinals for the third straight year. It’s the fifth time in the last six seasons; they have not advanced to the conference finals since reaching the NBA Finals in 2001. The loss also led to head coach Doc Rivers being fired.
Photo Cred: NJ.com
The Celtics, defeated by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals last season, will face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season. Boston has come close in his quest for a championship. Game 1 is Wednesday in Boston.
