Celtics can’t complete comeback, fall in epic Game 4 OT thriller to Sixers

The Boston Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday afternoon 116-115 after an epic comeback effort. Boston trailed by as many as 16 late in the third quarter in a game where the Celtics defense largely couldn’t keep up with explosive performances from James Harden and Joel Embiid. Tighter defense saw Boston erase Philly’s lead, but ultimately the Celtics couldn’t secure the win.

Harden had 42 points to go with 8 rebounds and 9 assists, including a massive shot to force overtime and an even bigger one to ice the game for Philly. Embiid was also epically good, contributing 34 points and 13 boards. For Boston, it was Al Horford’s defense and Jayson Tatum’s offense that spurred the would-be comeback, but ultimately the Sixers were just a little bit better.

The Eastern Conference Semifinals are now knotted at two games apiece, with Game 5 slatted for Tuesday night in Boston. For now, here’s what you missed from the Celtics Game 4 overtime loss to the 76ers.

Boston’s offense

Inconsistent offense was a major theme for the Celtics in this game. At times, they were ice cold, evidenced by a 19-point first quarter and a miserable first half by Jayson Tatum. In other stretches, though, Boston looked considerably better and more consistent scoring the ball. When the Celts are humming, Philly’s defense really struggles to keep up.

Six players in green scored in double figures. This helped Boston overcome rather pedestrian performances from Tatum and Jaylen Brown. (Brown was great in the first half, and Tatum really shined down the stretch, but neither played to their potential.)

All told, it was a good not great showing from the Celtics. Shooting 37.7% from 3 is pretty good. Logging 25 assists to just 10 turnovers in an overtime game is pretty good. But none of it is exceptional. And it certainly wasn’t enough to earn in a win, in large part because Boston’s defense was also far from great.

Boston’s defense

Philadelphia’s star players were brilliant in Game 4. Each benefited from plenty of isolation looks, which Boston seemed unwilling to remedy. The Celtics have been weary of double teams in previous tilts, and perhaps informed their defensive inflexibility. Either way, Embiid and Harden took full advantage.

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Harden was particularly good at picking apart Boston’s defense. He shot a smooth 16-for-23 from the field, sometimes pulling up right over his defender. He was also tremendous passing the ball, further stretching the Celtics on the perimeter. Embiid, meanwhile, was much more aggressive at the rim than he’s been in previous games this series. He hassled Boston’s bigs all night long. All told, Philly’s twin stars complimented each other exceptionally well, seriously stretching Boston’s defense for much of the game.

Again, the Celtics weren’t categorically dreadful on defense, certainly not all game long. And the team came within a few tenths of a second away from stealing a win on a Marcus Smart 3. But looking back, the defense was just average enough to allow Philly to take control and earn a victory.

Looking ahead

Boston has to win two of the next three games to punch a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. If this series goes the distance, Game 7 will be played Sunday in Boston.

Twice James Harden has eclipsed the 40-point mark against Boston this postseason. Boston will need to better account for the former MVP getting into a groove. The reining MVP, Joel Embiid, also needs to face stronger resistance on the defensive end.

Things are heating up in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 4 showed us the Celtics can more than meet and surpass everything the Sixers have to offer, but it remains to be scene if Boston can consistently turn that advantage into enough wins to advance.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire