![]() But the 10-time All-Star and three-time scoring champ reached back to the days when he would launch 10 more shots and average 15 more points, and there was nothing selfish about it. Harden had been on something of a redemption tour this season, fitting himself into Philadelphia’s team concept with a league-best 10.7 assists per game while facilitating Embiid’s Kia MVP candidacy. He took 30 shots, made 17 and nailed half of his 14 3-pointers, including the game-winner from straightaway with 8.4 seconds left. Harden scored 45 points, matching his playoff scoring high set eight years ago with the Rockets. Instead, what the Sixers got and the Celtics reeled from was bad James Harden (as in good) and vintage James Harden. Philadelphia could have wound up with bad James Harden or old James Harden, a ball-pounder and shot-chucker dusting off some bad habits from his Houston or Brooklyn days. James Harden steps up in Joel Embiid's absence with one of his finest playoff performancesįlipping the ball to James Harden, a matter of necessity with Embiid out, could have been a problem. ![]() Just this season, the Sixers go from 8.8 points better per 100 possessions with Embiid to minus 1.5 when he’s not playing.Īnd with Rivers sharing that Embiid, despite 11 days of rest and rehab, still had done “zero running,” the dark cloud of his injury hung over not just Monday’s game but perhaps the entire series. As in, digging up the numbers, which showed Philadelphia as a dramatically better team when the six-time All-Star is on the floor. Upon arrival to the podium, he sat down, sighed and said, “Well, he’s out …”Īnticipation for this one shifted immediately into “without Embiid” mode. Here are five takeaways from a stunning outcome that swiped home-court from the Celtics and stuck them in an early 1-0 hole:Ĭonfirmation of Embiid’s unavailability for Game 1 broke moments before Sixers coach Doc Rivers met with the media before the game. But doing it Monday required a whole ’nother level of resiliency, facing a tougher, deeper opponent in a truly hostile gym. The Sixers finished off their sweep of the Nets two nights later without Embiid. Center Joel Embiid was an unsurprising scratch, still hobbled by a right knee sprain suffered April 20 against Brooklyn in the first round. The Bucks, Grizzlies and Warriors all managed to prevail while down a significant piece.Īdd the Philadelphia 76ers to the list too, what with their 119-115 victory over Boston at TD Garden Monday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. No Giannis Antetokounmpo, no Ja Morant, no Draymond Green, no problem. the Celtics.īOSTON – Time and again already this postseason, we’ve seen teams face and win playoff games without star players. James Harden has 45 and sinks a clutch 3-pointer with 8.7 seconds left to help the 76ers win Game 1 vs.
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