Tatum late game heroics propel Celtics to game 6 victory, series expanded to 7 games.
By Jafar Gibbons.
Boston Celtics came into this game needing everything they’ve got defensively and offensively if they were going to advance. Inserted into the starting lineup to replace Derrick White was Center Robert Williams III, whom the Celtics felt they would need in order to keep season MVP, Joel Embiid ‘at bay’ at least theoretically, of course.
The Celtics got off to a comfortable start, with the Sixers managing to stay within striking distance.
By the second half, Joe Mazzulla’s side held a 7-point lead (50-43) over the Sixers despite his main star, Jayson Tatum, poor shooting display at that time in the game (he finished with 5/21 FG).
The Sixers, however, would come out swinging, hoping to capitalize on Tatum’s poor night by scoring off of critical defensive sets that started with blocks by Harris and Embiid. By the 7th minute in the 3rd period, Sixers had taken the lead 64-62 through back-to-back free throws by Joel Embiid and James Harden.
The 3rd quarter finished with the Sixers holding a 2-point lead 73-71 and it looked as though the Celtics season would have come to an early and unplanned end in Philadelphia.
No lead in the fourth quarter went beyond 2 points and the Sixers had to feel as though they had this game secured. The crowd was loud, they had the momentum and of all things, Jayson Tatum was quiet right through 3 quarters.
But then Tatum hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to make it 84-83 and then another to make it 87-83 after missing his previous 6 attempts from beyond the arc in this game.
Tatum would go on to hit two more 3-pointers to secure the win for the Celtics 95-86, finishing with 19 points to ensure that the series head back to Boston for the decider game 7 on Sunday May 14 2023.
