Okay folks, sit back and relax because we have some hilarious news about the recent Sixers vs. Celtics game. So, P.J. Tucker set a screen for Harden and the Celtics didn’t even double-team him. Bold move, Celtics. Harden went into his isolation routine and fired a 3-pointer over Horford, his SEVENTH of the night. Yup, you heard that right – seven! It gave the Sixers a two-point lead in TD Garden with nine seconds left, a lead they would not relinquish. The Celtics must be kicking themselves for not doubling him, but let’s be real, who can handle that much beard power anyways?
The Sixers beat Boston, 119-115. And that was for several reasons, but the 3-pointer over Horford was the icing on the cake for a masterful individual performance by one of the sport’s all-time greats: Harden. This guy scored 45 points on 17 of 30 from the field, AND had 6 assists with just 3 turnovers!! The Sixers own a 1-0 lead over the Celtics primarily because Harden willed them to it. Go beard guy, go!
Doc Rivers, coach of the Sixers, praised Harden, saying, “I’m so happy for him, because it just tells you what he can do on a given night. And then he can be your point guard on given nights. It’s amazing, the guy is a Hall of Famer, and all you hear is the other stuff about him, you really do. He was fantastic.” Well, we certainly didn’t hear any of that “other stuff” on this given night, Doc.
A year ago this week, the Sixers were up against Miami under the same circumstances: Joel Embiid was out for two games with an injury (although the Sixers haven’t ruled him out for Game 2 yet) and the rest of the team was looking to steal a game. But they didn’t come close, getting destroyed twice, and giving themselves little margin for error once Embiid returned to the series. But this time around, the Sixers only needed one game. In Doc Rivers’ wise words, “That’s the difference between this year’s team and last year’s team. We have a bunch of street fighters!” Look out, coming through!!
Mr. Paul Reed, a new Sixers street fighter, is Embiid’s replacement, and he is a far more disciplined player than last season. After playing a career-high 32 minutes in the closeout win over Brooklyn, he turned around 37 in Game 1 against Boston. Reed’s nickname “Bball Paul” hits differently now, doesn’t it?
In the guts of Game 1, with just 1:14 left in regulation, Horford put Boston up 113-110 after the Celtics got TWO offensive rebounds, BUT, most nights, that type of possession would be a killer. According to Rivers, the Sixers sure reacted that way. The ensuing timeout huddle was heated, with P.J. Tucker among those directing his ire at Reed after Boston scored on their THIRD chance. Oh, even we could feel the heat from that sideline huddle!
But, as is often the case, the hero emerges in these situations. Reed was inspired by the heated huddle and demonstrated his ability to remain calm in key moments, using it as a major asset for the Sixers. He helped the Sixers win by making two pressure free throws to tie the game and then getting a steal on the Celtics’ go-ahead possession. And just like that, Reed has quickly reached folk hero status. Way to go, man, you rock!
The Sixers did not need just a competent version of Harden to make a deep postseason run, rather, they needed a vintage James Harden performance. Lucky for them, they got it! It was not clear that Harden was still capable of something like that, especially after a series in which he shot 9 of 34 from 2-point range. But he went 10 of 16 against Boston in Game 1, and that, folks, is what we call a comeback!
Serious News: nytimes
