Jayson Tatum, Celtics rout 76ers in Recreation 7 to succeed in convention finals
From the 4:14 mark of the fourth quarter in Recreation 6 Thursday by way of 48 minutes of Recreation 7 Sunday, Boston star Jayson Tatum stole Philadelphia’s soul.
Ending Recreation 6 with 16 fourth quarter factors in a victory that pressured Recreation 7, Tatum scored 51 factors, probably the most in NBA Recreation 7 historical past, and had 13 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals within the Celtics’ 112-88 victory within the ultimate sport of this Jap Convention semifinals collection.
Golden State’s Steph Curry had simply set the report with 50 factors in Recreation 7 in opposition to Sacramento on April 30. Curry’s report lasted two weeks.
It was the eighth Recreation 7 matchup between the 2 franchises – most in NBA historical past – and Boston improved to 6-2.
The Celtics play Miami within the convention finals for the second consecutive season. Recreation 1 is Wednesday in Boston (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT), and the Celtics are attempting to repeat as East champs.
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Jaylen Brown added 25 factors for Boston.
Tatum proves why he’s All-NBA
The Celtics trailed 3-2 following Philadelphia’s Recreation 5 victory, however Tatum ensured the Celtics didn’t have a disappointing exit. His late-game capturing saved Boston in Recreation 6, and his dominant, MVP-like efficiency Sunday backed up his All-NBA choice and classification as one of many league’s greatest gamers.
By way of three quarters, Tatum had 42 factors, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and one steal, and he outscored Philadelphia 17-10 within the third quarter when the Celtics took a 55-52 halftime lead and turned it into an 88-62 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
Earlier than Tatum took over in Recreation 6, he was simply 1-for-14 late within the fourth quarter. He completed robust, and it carried over to the following sport.
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Celtics vs. Warmth in convention finals
The Celtics will want All-NBA Tatum in opposition to the Warmth, who misplaced Recreation 7 of the convention finals at residence final season.
Miami is a shock staff, advancing to the convention finals because the No. 8 seed. However the Warmth have discovered simply sufficient offense to go together with their stellar protection. They beat No. 1 seed Milwaukee within the first spherical and No. 5 seed New York within the convention semifinals. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo lead a set of hard-working gamers who match Miami’s system.
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Boston’s Recreation 7 efficiency is a cause why it was among the many favorites to win the title this season. Can it discover the consistency wanted in opposition to the Warmth and past? The Celtics actually have the expertise and expertise with Tatum, Brown, Al Horford, Marcus Good, Derrick White, Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon, however they lack depth. Simply seven gamers obtained minutes by way of 3½ quarters Sunday.
One compelling angle: the coaches. Boston’s Joe Mazzulla is in his first season as a head coach, and that lack of expertise confirmed at occasions within the first two rounds. Miami’s Erik Spoelstra is among the greatest coaches within the league and has received two titles and 104 playoff video games.
The Sixers come up brief once more
Philadelphia had the third-best regular-season report (54-28) within the league, three video games behind Boston and 4 video games behind Milwaukee, and Joel Embiid received his first MVP.
However that didn’t translate into the playoff success the Sixers needed.
Philadelphia has made the playoffs six consecutive seasons however haven’t superior past the second spherical. The Sixers final reached the convention finals in 2001, the identical 12 months Allen Iverson led them to the Finals.
The Sixers acquired James Harden final season, nevertheless it didn’t assist the Sixers progress. Harden had his moments (45 factors in Recreation 1, 42 factors in Recreation 4) however not sufficient moments alongside Embiid, who performed the collection with a sprained proper knee. Embiid had 15 factors on 5-for-18 capturing, and Harden had 9 factors on 3-for-11 capturing in Recreation 7.
President of basketball operations Daryl Morey faces important selections within the offseason with the roster and Coach Doc Rivers, who fell to 6-10 in Recreation 7s.
