The Philadelphia 76ers are one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals after winning Game 5 against the Celtics. Here's why the Sixers got the victory.
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics, 115-103, in Game 5 on Tuesday night. As the series now heads back to Philadelphia, they are a win away from moving through to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Sixers were able to win behind great performances from all of their starters. Meanwhile, the Celtics looked lifeless, which does not bode well for a must-win Game 6, obviously, if they're going to submit a similar effort.
Philly took advantage of the Celtics' woes as they jumped out to a large lead late in the third quarter and then held on comfortably. They were in control before that, but the Sixers put the exclamation point on the performance in the second half. And here are three reasons they were able to do so.
Philly was able to win game five very comfortably and they started to take a large lead late in the third and never really looked back. They controlled the game from the start but they were able to run with it after the beginning of the second half.
Sixers: 3 key reasons for Game 5 win against Celtics
3. Tobias Harris
James Harden had a great game in his own right, but Tobias Harris showing improvement from a poor Game 4 earned him this spot. Until the game was a blowout as the fourth quarter started, Harris shot 70 percent from the floor, taking noticeably better shots than he had been earlier in the series.
Harris ended Game 5 with 16 points while also grabbing 11 rebounds. There was an untimely turnover, but it didn't prove consequential and, with his tick up from last time out, he deserves credit for getting back on track.
2. Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey was truly a star on the floor for the Sixers. He ended the night with 30 points on 47 percent shooting, including 50 percent from 3-point range (6-of-12). Maxey was consistently creating buckets for the Sixers and, additionally, added seven rebounds in this game as well.
While Harden had a nice game, his best source of offense was drawing fouls. Maxey was able to step up and pick up the slack there, though, with his ability to create his own shot. Harden, for his part, took advantage of that too by dishing out 10 assists against Boston.
1. Joel Embiid
Tuesday night was Joel Embiid's time — and he went off. After missing the first game of the series, Embiid has struggled at times in the series, most glaringly in the fourth quarter of Game 4. He turned that narrative around in Game 5, though, returning to his dominant form by getting 33 points on 43 percent shooting. He completely owned the battle between him and Al Horford down low.
It wasn't just the scoring for Embiid either. He remained a force defensively on the interior, coming up with five blocks in the win. His performance really helped propel the Sixers to the blowout victory.