PHILADELPHIA — The Celtics expected a rowdy environment Friday night at Wells Fargo Center. Marcus Smart anticipated the atmosphere to be “crazy and chaotic.” They got it, as Joel Embiid accepted his MVP trophy, electrifying a juiced-up crowd.
With this second-round series tied, and with more than four decades of history since Philadelphia edged Boston in the playoffs in its storied rivalry, the Celtics knew they’d get a great punch from the 76ers.
But they had a bigger punch, and came up with the bigger shots to retake control of this series.
After making a statement in their Game 2 victory, there was no letdown from the Celtics in Game 3. They spoiled Embiid’s night. They continued to fluster James Harden and the 76ers. They thrived in a hostile environment. Philadelphia’s punch wasn’t good enough and the Celtics pulled away for a 114-102 victory.
The Celtics took a 2-1 series lead, and took back home-court advantage in the process. Jayson Tatum scored 27 points and Jaylen Brown shook off a slow start for 23. All Horford had 17 and Malcolm Brogdon had 15, each hitting big 3-pointers that helped seal this victory.
Other takeaways
– Joel Embiid’s MVP trophy presentation was as electric as expected and even got emotional. As the 76ers star gave a speech to the sellout Philadelphia crowd, his 2-year-old son Arthur came running out and into Embiid’s arms. The big man was choked up as his fans ate up every word of his speech. Somehow, he was supposed to play a pivotal playoff game right after.
The emotions may have had an effect on the 76ers as they started slow, and the Celtics took full advantage. Their offense was flawless in the opening minutes as they hit their first five shots and took an early 14-4 lead.
Tatum, who scored just seven points in 19 minutes in the Celtics’ Game 2 win, scored 10 points Friday night before the game was even four minutes old. But he struggled to maintain that as he scored just three points the rest of the half and missed five consecutive 3-pointers.
– Grant Williams picked up an assist that didn’t show up in the box score. After De’Anthony Melton took and missed a half-court heave at first-quarter buzzer, he kicked the ball in the stands. Williams – who picked up a technical foul and promptly ejected for a similar action earlier this season against the Warriors – saw it and was quick to run over to an official to point it out to him. Melton was assessed a technical and the Celtics tied the game at 29 following Tatum’s free throw.
– Marcus Smart wasn’t shy in expressing how much he loves facing hostile road crowds on Friday morning at shootaround.
“I embrace it,” the point guard said. “I think I play better when I’m a villain and guys are talking a lot of trash to me. So we’ll see how it goes.”
The 76ers crowd, almost expectedly, got sick of him pretty quickly. Yet again, Smart was everywhere defensively, being a pest. He took a charge, he dove for loose balls and he drew an offensive foul on Embiid – maybe exaggerating the contact – when he got an elbow to the chin. He heard it from the 76ers crowd but it only seemed to fuel him and the hustle plays that the Celtics were making regularly. On one sequence in the first half, he stole a pass in the backcourt, then drilled a second-chance 3-pointer in the corner, where it looked like he turned around and said something to a fan after draining the shot.
– Remember when James Harden erupted for 45 points and a turn-back-the-clock performance? It was only on Monday, but seemed like much longer ago. For a second consecutive game, the Celtics frustrated Harden. He finished 3-for-14 from the field for just 16 points and committed five turnovers in another disastrous performance when the Sixers needed him.