Philadelphia 76ers defeat Boston Celtics to force decisive Game Seven
Tyrese Maxey and Paul George combined for 53 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday night to overcome a 3-1 series deficit and force a deciding Game Seven.
Maxey scored 30 points to lead the charge, while a resurgent George added 23 in what was Philadelphia’s most complete performance of the campaign.
The hosts led from start to finish to set up a winner-takes-all showdown in Boston on Saturday.
The Sixers have found new life following the early return of Joel Embiid from an appendectomy, rebounding emphatically from two earlier blowout defeats.
George finds vintage form
The 35-year-old George has endured a tumultuous season, missing 25 games due to suspension and struggling with injuries since signing his lucrative four-year contract last summer.
However, the veteran forward delivered a throwback performance when it mattered most, hitting five three-pointers to stretch the advantage.
His standout moment came in the third quarter with a dazzling behind-the-back pass to rookie VJ Edgecombe, who finished with a thunderous dunk to extend the lead to 15 points.
Embiid, still recovering from his early April surgery, contributed 19 points as the offence flowed smoothly through the supporting cast during his periods on the bench.
Celtics sweat on Tatum fitness
The momentum shift in this first-round matchup is a stunning turn of events given how comfortably the Celtics dominated their three earlier victories.
Boston’s night was further compounded by an apparent calf injury to star forward Jayson Tatum, who left the game in the third quarter after scoring 17 points.
Jaylen Brown was also hampered by early foul trouble, managing just 18 points as the Eastern Conference heavyweights went more than four minutes without scoring late in the third period.
The Celtics now face immense pressure to protect a flawless historical record, having won all 32 best-of-seven series in franchise history in which they have held a 3-1 lead.