As expected, the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics ended up being a thriller. With two of the top teams in the East facing each other, fans expected nothing less than a battle. Despite 76ers star Joel Embiid’s best efforts to take the game to overtime, it ended up in heartbreak for the 6x NBA All-Star, James Harden, and the Philly faithful.
Both the teams entered the game riding high on momentum. While the Celtics were winners of 8 of the last 10 games prior to the battle in Philadelphia, the 76ers were on a five-game winning streak. With both teams separated by just 3 games, this matchup held major ramifications in the overall Playoffs picture.
A heartbreaking loss for James Harden and Joel Embiid
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With 5.9 seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 107 apiece, Celtics star Jayson Tatum had no plans of going to overtime as he nailed a tough shot over the 76ers’ defense to put Boston up by 3 points. However, 1.3 seconds were still left for the 76ers to come up with something.
And the 76ers sure did as Joel Embiid received the ball and threw a full-court prayer. Though the prayer got answered, there wasn?t enough time left on the clock as the officials waived the shot off.
Sixers fans were heartbroken to see the game end on such a disappointing note. One fan tweeted, ?Watching this ending is not great for your health. Tatum the god and then holy sh*t I thought for a sec Joel got that off.?
Watching this ending is not great for your health. Tatum the god and then holy shit I thought for a sec Joel got that off pic.twitter.com/jnke9mcTpU
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) February 26, 2023
Another fan commented, ?Boston SPANKS Philly every time. Philly is gonna have to blow it up in offseason Harden is gone, Joel is asking out, and Doc will be fired. They need to start a new process. Joel face at the end spoke a 1,000 words.?
Boston SPANKS Philly every time. Philly is gonna have to blow it up in offseason
Harden is gone, Joel is asking out, and Doc will be fired. They need to start a new process. Joel face at the end spoke a 1,000 words
— kap (@hopefulmetsfan) February 26, 2023
Here are a few more reactions from fans on Twitter.
Doc putting a guard on Tatum is insane. We traded for a dude that locked him up all game
— plasticono (@plasticono215) February 26, 2023
So shocking didn’t even get a second BANG!!!!
— BHunt44 ☘️ (@BHUNT4486) February 26, 2023
76ers vs refs was for sure a good game.
— 🦌 (@DameToGiannis) February 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/hachimuraMvp/status/1629694769721999360?s=20
Free throw merchants get owned
— ☘️Celtics Eat☘️ (@celtics_eat) February 26, 2023
Some fans speculated that the game should?ve gone into overtime. Others were merely let down by the ending, while some of them rejoiced.
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Boston has had the 76ers’ number every time this season
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics have had a long-running inter-conference rivalry over the years. This was the third game that the Sixers lost to the Celtics this season, bringing their record to 0-3 against Boston.
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Joel Embiid had an amazing outing for this game. Embiid ended the night with 41 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Even James Harden poured in 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. Jayson Tatum, who had an off-night against the 76ers, made sure to make his last-second shot count.
And it was at the perfect time, as it became the game-deciding shot. Now the Sixers will have to wait until April to face the Celtics once again in order to get some revenge for this heartbreaking loss. Let?s see what the outcome is then.