Due to the amount of chances 76ers had, the spark from starting lineup addition TJ McConnell, and overall play of Dario Saric, Philadelphia is still alive against the Boston Celtics.
Despite the poor play from JJ Redick, Marco Belinelli, Ersan Ilyasova, and unsurprisingly Robert Covington on the offensive end – the guard play from Simmons and McConnell (who had a career-high 19 points) helped lead to an impressive second-half output.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum played a solid overall game. However, the rest of his team could not produce and seemed discombobulated fairly early on.
The 15 to eight turnover difference was the key in this game leading to a 19-attempt advantage for the Sixers.
Brett Brown really struck gold with McConnell. The scrappy point guard said in his postgame interview referring to being down three to zero before the game, “We have nothing to lose.”
In fact, opponents are 0-129 when being down three to zero in NBA playoff series.
It certainly seemed like the Sixers were loose in the second half and had an energy that hadn’t been on display before.
The next game is yet again a win or go home for Philly and will be on Thursday, May 10th with the time to be announced.
Final
PHI – 103
BOS – 92
It’s must-win for Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs as the Boston Celtics look to complete an embarrassing sweep. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8am (AEST).
After rallying from a 22-point deficit to win Game 2 of the series, the Celtics then closed out the Sixers in an exciting Game 3. Simmons, who played perhaps his worst game of the entire season in Game 2, helped apply pressure to an amazingly cohesive Boston defence.
However, the Australian’s efforts were not enough as rookie sensation Jayson Tatum took over and exploited a (normally) lockdown defender in Robert Covington who has been simply terrible throughout the playoffs.
Tatum was incredibly efficient, shooting 11 of 17 from the field, totalling 24 points. The Celtics defensive anchor and veteran presence, Al Horford, also showed out.
Though Joel Embiid got his numbers, 22 points and 19 rebounds to be exact, he was inefficient and eventually fouled out of the game.
Horford not only secured the game-ending steal and limited Philly in the paint – but along with Tatum, scored the only points in overtime for Boston.
Despite the poor showing in the first three matches, it is unlikely that a team as good as the 76ers will get swept.
It’s just about inevitable they will lose the series, but due to the combination of home court and the stigma attached with sweeps, look for the young Brett Brown led squad to steal one from Brad Stevens and the Celtics.
While Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown, Tatum and Horford have all been phenomenal – the skill of Simmons, Embiid, Dario Saric, JJ Redick and company is just too much to lose four in a row.
Prediction
Shooting just 39.2 per cent from the field in Game 3, expect the 76ers to get to Horford and the Celtics just a little bit more inside in front of their home crowd.
The game will be close as Boston has been on fire following a surprising seven-game series with the Milwaukee Bucks – but Philly will get one.
Sixers by 3.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 8am (AEST).
Perry Bridge
Guest
1-3 better than 0-3 but they've set themselves a serious challenge.
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 FINAL Recap coming soon... PHI - 103 BOS - 92
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 0:00 The clock strikes zero. Sixers are still alive. Not quite my prediction of a very close game, but it was fairly tight throughout. PHI - 103 BOS - 92
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Roar Guru
Q4 1' We've entered the fouling portion of this game. PHI - 101 BOS - 92
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Roar Guru
Q4 2' This game is all but over. Simmons to the line following a lazy foul. 1:12 remaining in the contest. PHI - 99 BOS - 86
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Q4 2' TJ McConnell has just recorded his career high in an elimination game. This is why we love sports. PHI - 98 BOS - 86
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Roar Guru
Q4 3' Horford to the line after some Sixer buckets. Ten point game. Saric has been a difference maker. PHI - 96 BOS - 86
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Roar Guru
Q4 4' Morris misses a huge three off of the timeout that would have narrowed the gap. Simmons then turns it over, - coach Brown is heated. PHI - 92 BOS - 82
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Roar Guru
Q4 4' Embiid airballs a shot from long after his foul. Celtics call a timeout to make one last push at a sweep. PHI - 92 BOS - 82
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Roar Guru
Q4 5' Referee Scott Foster, makes a bad call on an Embiid offensive foul. Same score.
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Roar Guru
Q4 6' Smart knocks down two free throws. Simmons to Embiid on the other end. PHI - 92 BOS - 82
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Roar Guru
Q4 8' Off of the timeout, Saric hits a midrange layup. Horford comes back with a two-hand jam under the basket. PHI - 90 BOS - 78
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Q4 8' A little back and forth between both sides before a timeout. PHI - 88 BOS - 76
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Q4 9' McConnell to the bench to a roaring applause and cheers. Tatum then gets to the line and hits two. PHI - 86 BOS - 73
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Roar Guru
Q4 10' Surprise, surprise. McConnell with another layup. Marcus Morris then nails a three. Keeping the game just barely in reach. PHI - 86 BOS - 71
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Roar Guru
Q4 11' McConnell, who is making Brett Brown look really smart, scores yet again from inside. Philly is running away. PHI - 84 BOS - 68
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Q4 11' Covington, who has been abysmal, hits a shot from deep. Morris answers back on the other end. PHI - 82 BOS - 68
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Q4 12' An aggressive Saric gets the and-one. Kevin McHale (commentating the game) approves. Boston turns it over in the next possession. PHI - 79 BOS - 66
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Roar Guru
Q4 12' Fourth quarter underway.
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Roar Guru
Q3 0:00 Rozier barely misses a halfcourt heave. Though they're down by 11 the Celtics seem closer. PHI - 76 BOS - 65