The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in game seven of the NBA playoffs and are through to the Eastern Conference Finals. Led by another very strong Jayson Tatum, the NBA record champion scored 112:88 in front of his own fans in TD Garden on Sunday.
At half time it was still 55:52. Tatum had 51 points and 13 rebounds, setting an NBA record – a better result in game seven of the playoffs than a professional before him.
“I was glad we got another chance. Our season could have been over after game six,” said Tatum, who missed 14 of his first 15 attempts in the previous game and lately played a part in the Celtics closing the gap in Philadelphia and forcing game seven. “We said to ourselves: things can only go up now.”
76ers stars disappoint
For Joel Embiid, who was voted the most valuable player of the main round for the first time, and James Harden, the season is over. Both disappointed on Sunday – Embiid had only 15 points, Harden was not even in double digits with nine points. “We have an unfinished business,” Embiid said. “I think he and I still have a chance to win. But it will take more than just the two of us.”
In the night of Thursday, the Celtics begin a new edition of the final series in the east from last season with the Miami Heat. For the 17-time champion, it is the fifth participation in the Conference Finals in the past seven years.
The Celtics never won the title during this time, the last championship is from the 2007/2008 season. Last season there was a final loss to the Golden State Warriors.
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