“Celtics Crush Sixers in Game 2 as Embiid Returns from Injury”

The Cameroonian center missed the first game of this series due to a knee injury and, on his return to the courts, added 15 points (4 of 9 shooting, 7 of 8 from the personal line), 3 rebounds and 5 blocks in 27 minutes (none of the figures of the two teams played in the last quarter because the game had already been decided).

After their disappointment in the first game, the Celtics recovered wonderfully and crushed the Sixers in the second game, especially in a devastating third quarter (35-16). Jaylen Brown (25 points) and Malcolm Brogdon from the bench (23 goals) joined efforts to cover the gray game of a Jayson Tatum with foul problems (7 points on 1 of 7 shooting).

For his part, James Hardenafter his magnificent performance on Monday (45 points), he had a night to forget this Wednesday with 12 points and 10 rebounds with an unfortunate 2 of 14 shots to the basket (0 of 6 in triples).

No player from Doc Rivers he topped 20 points and the Sixers went a dismal 6-of-30 on 3-pointers to a solid 20-of-51 for their opponents. The series now travels to Philadelphia, where Game 3 will be played on Friday.

THE FOCUS ON EMBIID

There was a lot of interest to see how he returned Embiid after his injury and MVP He gradually picked up his pace until he scored 6 points, a rebound and 2 blocks in the first quarter. Next to him, Harden (9 points) stood out in a Sixers who knew how to get oil from their visits to the personnel line (9 of 10).

However, the Celticsin a first period of limited success for both teams, took the lead thanks to a great Brown with 13 points (28-22).

The shooting problems continued in the second quarter for the Sixers who began to slip on the scoreboard against the Celtics with Brogdon directing his second unit (37-26 with 9.55 for the break)

Tyrese Maxey eased Philly’s offensive logjam with 10 points in the second quarter while Embiid set his standard on defense with 5 blocks in the first half. For its part, Boston had to deal with a discreet Tatum who also added his third foul before the break.

But Marcus Smart He took responsibility with 13 points in the first two quarters and the Celtics left at halftime with an advantage (57-49) against a very thick Sixers in triple (1 of 13).

The resumption was marked by turbulence: Harden received a blow to the face of Tatum (fourth foul for the local star) and Smart momentarily went to the locker room with shoulder pain after a spectacular fall with Embiid.

In any case, the great protagonist of the third period was the enormous success of the Celtics in the perimeter. With a mighty 7 of 15 from 3-point range, Boston put together a devastating 35-16 run in that period against a Sixers with no answers on defense and stagnant on offense.

Brown continued to lead the Celtics (9 points) but this time he had the great support of Derrick White (10 points with 6 of 6 shooting) and Brogdon (9 points with 3 of 5 in triples).

Much more connected in all facets of the game, the Celtics managed to win 29 points in that triumphant third quarter and landed in the last 12 minutes with such a wide margin (92-65) that both coaches reserved their main men in the outcome for future fights of greater substance.