Without Joel Embiid in the lineup for Philadelphia on Monday due to a knee injury, many including yours truly, did not give the 76ers much of a chance in their first game of their second round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Entering the game, Boston was a nine-point favourite, and their two superstars of Jaylen Brown of Marietta, Georgia, and Jayson Tatum of St. Louis, Missouri had combined for 62 points in a series clinching game six 128-120 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
What we saw in game one at the Toronto Dominion Garden in Boston, was an exceptional performance by 76ers guard James Harden of Los Angeles, California. He tied a playoff career high with 45 points as Philadelphia beat the Boston Celtics 119-115.
Harden made 17 of 30 field goals, seven of 14 three-point attempts, all four free throws, and had six assists, two steals, one rebound, and was a +8. The only other time he had 45 points in a postseason game came on May 25, 2015 in a 128-115 Houston Rockets win over the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Western Conference Finals.
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In game one, Harden was not the only 76ers player to produce. Guard Tyrese Maxey of Dallas, Texas had 26 points. Forward Tobias Harris of Islip, New York had 18 points, guard De’Anthony Melton of North Hollywood, California had 17 points and center Paul Reed of Orlando, Florida had 10 points and 13 rebounds. It was Reed who filled in for Embiid and performed admirably.
Boston won the first quarter 38-31, but was unable to sustain pressure throughout the contest. As a result, Philadelphia won the next three quarters. Game two is in Boston on Wednesday.
