For just the second time this spring and the first time in the conference semifinals, we’re getting a Game 7.
The Celtics and Sixers will square off on Sunday afternoon for the right to face Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s the first Game 7 on the East’s side of the playoff bracket — the Kings and Warriors battled to seven games in the first round in the West.
It has been a back-and-forth series between Boston and Philadelphia, with the Sixers unexpectedly stealing Game 1 in Boston despite missing MVP center Joel Embiid. The Celtics responded by claiming the next two games to take a 2-1 lead, but Philadelphia fought back to go up 3-2 before dropping Game 6 at home.
As the higher seed and the home team, the Celtics are 6.5-point favorites on Sunday, according to BetOnline.ag. But the fact that the game will be played in Boston offers no guarantees for the C’s. The home team in the series has gone just 2-4 so far, with each club losing multiple games in its own arena.
While the Sixers probably know what they can expect from Embiid, who has averaged 30.8 PPG and 10.8 RPG in his last four appearances after a shaky first game back from a knee injury, what they get from the big man’s co-star may go a long way toward determining whether they can pull off the upset win in Game 7. James Harden has put up 34.7 PPG on 60.7% shooting in Philadelphia’s three victories over Boston, but has averaged just 13.7 PPG and made 20.5% of his shots from the floor in the team’s three losses.
The Celtics, meanwhile, got a boost in Game 6 when they inserted center Robert Williams into their starting lineup for the first time in the series. Williams had 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks in one of his best games of the postseason. The Celtics, who won the game by nine points, outscored Philadelphia by 18 points during Williams’ 28 minutes. It’s probably safe to assume he’ll start again on Sunday.
Boston will also be hoping to see the version of Jayson Tatum who showed up during the final few minutes of Thursday’s game, helping the team overcome a late deficit and secure the victory. With the Celtics down by two points with under five minutes to play, Tatum made four of his final seven shots, all three-pointers, after having hit just 1-of-14 field goal attempts up until that point.
The Celtics were the deeper, more well-rounded team during the regular season and have shown off that depth in the postseason, but the Sixers have proven in the playoffs that they’re capable of winning any game when Embiid, Harden, and Tyrese Maxey – who has averaged 23.3 PPG in Philadelphia’s victories – are firing on all cylinders.
We want to know what you think. Who are you picking to win Game 7 this afternoon?
Boston has to be the pick here. You can’t steal Game 5, and then lose Game 6 on your home floor. Really tough to rebound on the road with all the gained momentum now replaced with a feeling of doubt.
Pathetic that the Sixers even had to go to 7. That was such a bad performance from Tatum and they let the Celtics off the hook. Self-fulfilling prophecy right here.
I would like to see Embiid v LBJ/Joker in the Finals. Rematch of Philly LAL has a great story line. Troell v Joker also MVP vs MVP.
Celtics although I hope Phili wins
Anybody else seen the new Ja Morant video from his Instagram Live yesterday?? Hanging with the homies and flashing a gun again. SMH!
Yup, bros gonna be out of the league sooner rather than later
Poll percentage is around where it should be. All of Philly sports radio has felt like a funeral the past few days, in spite of the fact that the series is indeed tied and the Sixers have already taken 2 from Boston on their home court. Boston naturally is favored, but the Sixers certainly have a real shot in this game.
You forgetting that Philly has Doc Rivers on the bench???
Did doc miss wide open looks ??? I think not. You can go back to your room.
You’re crying in your room right now.
Doc may not be on the bench much longer
Joel Embiid doesn’t win big games – this is well established at this point. Game 6 was their chance and they blew it.
Denver over Miami in 7
If Jimmy butler carries that team to game 7 of the finals, he might be the goat.
He’d be higher in the pantheon than Curry at that point. Maybe even Durant.
Pretty sure he would be considered a God of some sort, a minor one probably, but still
You should probably avoid making predictions, after your GS declarations fell flat.
It must be frustrating being wrong all the time.
Rigged silver wants the Celtics and Lakers with lebron winning. Called it a month ago
haha.
Ok.
Yeah, Silver made sure Embiid and Hardern choked.
Watch we will see. I called it after the bucks lost. Lakers vs Celtics. Lakers winning close by Denver look in old articles. I told you all so
I’m really surprised we are here. Especially with Embiid being out a game. A gm they won. Gotta go with Celtics at home. But watching this series. Sixers definitely can pull it off. Embiid must play like the MVP. Harden, Harris, Maxey have to show up.
Embiid the whiner, Harden the washed, Harris the no show. All must stay away today. It’s 48 mins. And I want to see them go for the jugular. Sixers have proven they can win in Boston. Time is NOW …
Should be a great game …. let’s do this
Philly had the third best record in the NBA, Boston had the second best, nothing surprising about them being here.
What does a record have to do with missing Embiid for gm 1.
Philly was the third-best regular season team in the NBA. Better than any team in the West.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if they won it all.
It would now.
They got smoked.
Would you be surprised if they lost two elimination gms. By a total of 33 pts …..
I Wouldn’t ….. haha hoho hoho hahaha
I’m a Celtics fan. I’m laughing a lot harder than you are.
Sixers won’t miss open looks,jojo and the beard will both have huge games. Sixers move on to face heat.
oh.
By Embiid and Harden having “huge games” do you mean they’ll both look kinda fat? Cuz I agree.
Oof
If the Celtics had taken each game seriously, they would have beaten Atlanta in 5 and Philly in 4. I would not wager any money on either team in this series.
Celtics win Game 7
Anyone else picture Steve Jaffy locked in a basement somewhere forced to work these games for ESPN lol. He is def on a green screen.
Scott Foster suck !
Joel Embiid is much more likely to cry as the clock expires than lead his team to the conference finals.
Absolutely pathetic showing by the Sixers. Yet another playoff team to fire their coach .
Harden and Embiied are so clutch.
Congrats to the Celtics and your fan base.
Well, for the 3rd time in 4 years, it’s our teams battling again for the Eastern Conference championship. Much respect to the Celtics. Clearly, along the the Bucks, the Heat and Celtics have proven to be the top teams in the Eastern Conference the last few years.
Good luck! May we have another great series. May the best team win (which for me, I hope it’s my Heat). Let the battle begin!
Thanks for having a positive attitude. Here’s hoping for a fun, competitive series.
I was just now going to vote for the Celtics but the polls were closed.