Joe Mazzulla had his reasons not to double Harden on that game-winner he buried right over Horford, but they lost to a wounded but ferocious Sixers team in the end. Should the Celtics have doubled Harden more? Did they not double him enough? It depends on who you ask after the game. Hofmann Evaluating how the Celtics defended Harden
Doc Rivers has done well shorthanded with the Sixers during his 3-year tenure in Philly, but considering the opponent and circumstances, this was his best win yet. The Sixers got just enough stops down the stretch, including a “pick-six” steal by Maxey that gave them the lead in the final minute.
#Defeat the gardener the gunk free
And Paul Reed chipped in with 10 points and 13 rebounds in Embiid’s place, including four huge free throws down the stretch. Tobias Harris, a typically steady player, finished with 18 points on 8 of 16 shooting. De’Anthony Melton went 5 of 6 from beyond the arc and made a couple of critical defensive plays. Tyrese Maxey’s 3-pointer didn’t fall, but after being shut down by Boston all season, he finished with 26 points. But there were impressive performances up and down the Sixers roster.
Boston went 17-20 from the field in the first quarter, shooting layup after layup and beating the Sixers down the floor in transition. The Sixers moved to 13-5 without Joel Embiid this season, another example of a team that has been resilient when shorthanded. But with Philadelphia in a difficult spot needing to steal a win in Boston in the worst way, Harden put together a masterpiece. Harden’s playoff record has been scrutinized heavily, and perhaps rightfully so. Harden also finished with six assists and just three turnovers, despite having the ball in his hands for the entire game.
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