The first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 22-23 NBA playoffs kicked off today, with the 76ers taking on the Celtics on the road, 76ers star Embiid unavailable due to injury, and Paul Reid entering the starting lineup.
The game was full of ups and downs, neither team could establish too much of a clear lead, Harden hit a 3-pointer against Horford's defense in the final moments of the game, the 76ers rallied 117-115, followed by an offensive Celtics error, Paul Reid hit both free throws, and the 76ers narrowly defeated the Celtics 119-115 on the road.
Harden was on fire today, he scored 45 points on 17-of-30 shooting, Maxi also scored 26 points today, Harris scored 18 points, the Big Three of the 76ers played well on the offensive end, and on the defensive end, the 76ers were also relatively good at limiting the Celtics' three-pointers, and today the Celtics' three-pointers shot 26 times and hit only 10 of them.
The Celtics can be said to be careless today, in the case of Embiid did not play, the Celtics failed to win the game which is surprising, Tatum scored 39 points in the air, too many mistakes are also the reason for the Celtics' loss, the Celtics had 16 turnovers, Brogdon's pass was directly blocked by Maxi in the last minute of the final quarter, the 76ers were able to overtake the score, this year's playoffs Celtics' defense is also very problematic, this round of the series Celtics want to turn around first from defense.