The story of the night was Philadelphia’s incredible turnaround from long range. Following a dismal four-three-pointer performance in Game 1, the Sixers caught fire. Despite an 0-for-6 start, they finished the game shooting an elite 49 percent (19-of-39) from beyond the arc. In contrast, the Celtics struggled significantly, hitting just 13-of-50 from deep.
Rookie Star Power and Maxey’s Fourth-Quarter Takeover
While the global headlines are full of news about the Iranian ship seizure, basketball fans are buzzing about Sixers rookie guard VJ Edgecombe. He put on a masterclass performance, leading his team with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Edgecombe wasn’t alone in the scoring surge:
Tyrese Maxey: Scored 29 points and dished out nine assists. Furthermore, he took over in the fourth quarter with 12 points and three crucial triples to seal the win.
Paul George: Added 19 efficient points on 7-of-13 shooting.
The Closing Run: The Celtics managed to cut the lead to just two points in the final frame. However, the Sixers responded with a clinical 20-8 run to silence the Boston crowd.
Celtics Struggle Beyond the “Jays”
For Boston, it was a frustrating night of missed opportunities. Jaylen Brown was the standout performer, carrying the offensive load with 36 points. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds, falling just one assist shy of a triple-double.
Unfortunately for the home team, the supporting cast vanished. Beyond Brown and Tatum, no other Celtic reached double figures. The rest of the roster shot a combined 8-for-38 (21 percent) from three-point range. Because of this cold shooting, Boston was unable to capitalize on an early 13-point lead.
What’s Next for the Series?
The series now shifts to Philadelphia, where the Sixers will have the home-court advantage. Both teams will have two days to make adjustments before Game 3 on Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
If Philadelphia continues to shoot nearly 50% from the perimeter, Boston’s defense will face a massive challenge. Conversely, the Celtics must find a way to get their secondary scorers involved to avoid falling behind in the series.