“Celtics’ Tatum Scores 51 Points to Disarm 76ers and Even Series in NBA Playoffs”

Only two weeks lasted the record of Steph Curry, author of 50 points in the decisive game of the first round against the Sacramento Kings. After forcing Game 7 with 16 points scored in the fourth period of the previous game in Philadelphia, Tatum sealed a monumental performance at the TD Garden to extend the path of the Celtics seeking the eighteenth title in their history.

Tatum retired with three minutes left in the fourth quarter against a sluggish TD Garden, which saw the Celtics repeat the feat seen in last year’s Eastern semifinals. In that case, they won the last two games against the Milwaukee Bucks, this Sunday, shattering the dreams of glory for the 76ers and MVP Joel Embiid.

The number 0 of the Celtics once again quoted the Celtics with Jimmy Butler’s Heat, with whom they staged a decided battle last year in the seventh game and that sent Boston to the Finals, ultimately lost against the Golden State warriors.

THE CELTICS DISARM THE 76ERS

Against the 76ers, Tatum finished with 51 points, thirteen rebounds and five assists, over 60% shooting from the field (17 of 28) and six of ten on three-pointers, supported by 25 points from Jaylen Brown and six points, ten rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks by the Dominican Al Horford.

The Celtics defense completely disarmed the 76ers. Embiid did not go beyond fifteen points and eight rebounds, with a modest 5 of 18 shooting from the field.

James Harden, who had been the protagonist with basketball displays and 45 and 42 points in the first and fifth games of the series, did not exceed nine this Sunday, with six rebounds and seven assists.

The Sixers barely connected on 37% of their field goals, with Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey leading scorers with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

THE SIXERS HOLD TWO QUARTERS

The 76ers held out for two quarters, who even had an eight-point lead in the first period after a 10-2 run at the pace of Tucker, unleashed from the arc with a three-of-four on three-pointers that gave Doc Rivers’ men a six-point margin at 29-23 after the first horn.

Tatum was already showing clear signs of his form and scored eleven points in the first period for the Celtics, after failing to make a field goal in the first twelve minutes of the previous three games in the series.

He already had 25 points in the second quarter, but the Sixers managed to hold off the Celtics until a tie at 55 in the second quarter. From that moment on, the Celtics and Tatum took full control of the duel and delivered a blow to the game that Doc Rivers’ men could not recover from.

RECITAL OF TATUM

Because if Tatum had a tremendous scoring pace in the first half, the third period was a true recital. In less than six minutes he signed thirteen points and drove a resounding 28-3 run that allowed the Celtics to escape up to a 25-point margin at 83-58.

Tatum broke the 40-point barrier in that period and already had a double double with ten rebounds, but his performance was compounded by a rocky defense led by Al Horford, who kept the 76ers scoreless for more than eight minutes.

With 42 points and five of eight on triples by Tatum, the Celtics reached an 88-60 lead and Doc Rivers, visibly sunk, called a timeout at a TD Garden where the party had already started.

Tatum did not stop stepping on the accelerator and completed his work of art with nine more points to reach 51 with the sixth triple of his day. He went up to 102-76 and turned the last minutes of the duel into a formality.

Joe Mazzulla took him off the track with three minutes to play and his star received a tremendous ovation from his audience, who asked him to return glory to the Celtics after fifteen years of waiting.