When Embiid decided not to play in the first game of the semifinals against the Celtics, no one believed they could beat Boston. Philadelphia and Boston with Embiid are hard to play, let alone a Philadelphia that has lost its absolute core?
But in the playoffs, anything can happen. In the first quarter, the 76ers penalty area that lost the core of the frame was exploded. The regular season Celtics, who belonged to a three-point team, broke through every ball, while the 76ers opened the inside door.
The Celtics shot 17-of-20 from the field in the first quarter, shooting 85 percent, including 13 of 14 two-pointers, and scored 26 points in the box in a single quarter, shooting 85 percent from the field as the third-highest in the first quarter of the playoffs in the past 25 seasons.
Halfway through the second quarter, both sides scored 34-16 in the box. Lao Li really couldn't call a two-three defense formation to limit the Celtics' breakthrough, so Philadelphia was shot into a sieve by Tatum.
Tatum had 26 points, four rebounds and three assists in the half, and he went 8-of-10 in the second quarter, including 4-of-4 three-pointers, and scored 20 points in a single quarter. I'm probably the easiest one-quarter 20 I've ever seen, and Tatum probably hasn't even come out of the sweat.
But the 76ers trailed by only three points at halftime, and the Celtics didn't kill the 76ers with a stick, allowing the 76ers to chase the score back several times. Harden played the full first quarter, scoring 16 points and 2 assists on 7-of-10 shooting; Harden scored 21 points at halftime. Melton also erupted in the second quarter, hitting four three-pointers and scoring 14 points in a single quarter.
The game was played so fast-paced that the first free throw was made with 30.8 seconds left in the second quarter, and Jaylen stood at the free throw line. This was unimaginable in previous Harden games. The Celtics had only committed 2 fouls at half-time and reaching out was already their biggest defensive tribute.
At halftime, the Celtics shot 74 percent from the field and 57 percent from three-point range. The 76ers also shot 55 percent from the field and 58 percent from three-point range, making 11 three-point attempts. Welcome to the All-Star Game in May.
The 76ers are completely defenseless because Embiid is not in the frame, while the Celtics are completely defenseless because of their underestimation posture. In such a confrontational environment, Harden's "return" to the Rockets is not surprising, and the 76ers still have some strength on the outside.
Halfway through the third quarter, the 76ers stood at the free throw line for the first time. We often say that too many free throws affect the pace of the game, but a game that is completely free thrown, only thrown on the outside, is not necessarily very good-looking.
The Celtics played this game today, like cutting leeks, cutting a stubble and a long stubble, not directly uprooting it at one time. It's as if they know that no matter how much they put on the defensive end, they can respond on the offensive end, and they can hold the 76ers in the decisive moment.
But the 76ers staged a leek counterattack today, and the Celtics were late to intensifying the 76ers, with Harden already scoring 42 points before making the final quasi-shootout. For many moments in the fourth quarter, Harden probably thinks about himself five years ago.
He then took the ball on the 76ers' final attack and named Horford. All the fans, the other nine people on the court, including us in front of the screen, all need to know that Harden is going to shoot three points, and once Harden is inside, he will face the Celtics from all sides.
Everyone knew Harden was going to shoot, but no one could stop Harden, who was already unmatched. Harden dribbled in a row with his crotch and then stepped back sharply and hit a three-point shot! It was Harden's seventh three-point shot in the game and his 45th pointer, tying his own playoff career scoring record.
In the game, Harden shot 17 of 30, 7 of 14 from three-point range, 45 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. The Celtics raised Harden's touch step by step to the end, paying a terrible price for their arrogance.
Harden, wearing a red jersey, has directly regressed five years and returned to the state where we know him best. We know that Harden's strength has definitely declined, and his physical condition is far from what he used to be, but on certain nights, Harden can still make you cry.
Of course, we all know that the key to this series is whether Embiid can give and how long he can pay. It's unrealistic to expect Harden to play like this in every game, but you can never forget Harden, who stood by Embiid's side, once brilliant.
As Klay said this year, "Fans right now have no idea how strong Harden is at his peak. ”
Today, they know.