Game 7 on the line: Celtics and 76ers square off in first-round decider
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The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers clash Saturday night at TD Garden in a win-or-go-home Game 7, wrapping up an opening-round series that has already swung twice.
Boston led the best-of-seven matchup 3-1 before Philadelphia forced the deciding contest with back-to-back victories. According to ESPN Research, this is the ninth Game 7 between the two franchises—more than any other pairing in NBA history.
Road history favors Boston
The 76ers have struggled in Game 7s away from home, posting a 1-10 record. Their lone road win came in the 1982 Eastern Conference finals, also against the Celtics.
Key players and injuries
Philadelphia: Center Joel Embiid, who sat out the first three games after appendicitis surgery, is averaging 26 points, eight rebounds and 7.3 assists since returning. Guard Tyrese Maxey tops the team at 26.3 points per game and has recorded at least 20 points and five assists in six straight playoff outings, the longest such streak in franchise postseason history.
Boston: Forward Jaylen Brown leads the Celtics at 24.5 points per game. Teammate Jayson Tatum is contributing 23.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, but the All-NBA forward was ruled out with left knee soreness after being downgraded to questionable earlier in the day. Tatum had returned in March from a torn right Achilles and exited Game 6 late in the third quarter with a left leg injury.
Tipoff brings the series—and one team’s season—to a close. The winner advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Source: ESPN
