Just one game.
One game now separates the Sixers from a trip to the Eastern Conference finals after their dominant 115-103 win at TD Garden.
And as an MVP of the league does, Joel Embiid led the way with another gaudy stat line for the Sixers. His 33 points were a team-high and the big man added seven rebounds and four authoritative blocks. However, one of the crucial elements to this pivotal game 5 was that the Sixers’ star didn’t have to do it alone and that was key.
Tyrese Maxey helped pick up the scoring slack by adding 30 points of his own. The 22-year-old was also unconscious from behind the arc, knocking down six 3-pointers. James Harden collected 17 points and 10 assists, as he and Embiid were surgical in the pick and roll. Even Danuel House Jr. got an extended run with the backup unit and played well. House played 15 minutes and was tasked with guarding Malcom Brogdon. He did well in that assignment.
All in all, the Sixers took advantage of an up and down scoring performance from Jayson Tatum and getting Jaylon Brown into foul trouble early helped too. However, one would have to give Philly credit for how tenacious they were on the offensive glass as well. The Sixers out-rebounded Boston 56-46 for the game and at least early, that clearly played a factor. The Celtics, on the other hand, posted a playoff-low 103 points this post-season as a result.
Now? The Sixers head home with an opportunity to move onto the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the Iverson era with a win in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
