The top of the arc, two steps outside the three-point line, that is the beginning of a singles attempt. Horford is a good defender, but good isn’t enough against Harden tonight. The crisp sound of breaking the net is the end of the singles attempt. A priceless quasi-lore, with 45 points tying the career scoring record in a single playoff game.
With 26.1 seconds left in the last quarter, Jayson Tatum made two beautiful arcs from the free throw line to give the Celtics a valuable one-point lead. The 76ers took advantage of the opportunity to replace the two offensive players, Tyrese Maxey and Georges Niang, trying to play the most critical and possible game in the game. The wave of offense that set the tone of the game has been rewarded.
Serving from the backcourt, James Harden dribbled steadily with his right hand. Facing the marking of Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, he took the half-court at a slow but brisk pace for seven seconds. PJ Tucker sent the Celtics into the switch with a smart screen, and Al Horford took on the difficult task of defending James Harden.
The top of the arc, two steps outside the three-point line, that is the beginning of a singles attempt. Horford is a good defender, but good isn’t enough against Harden tonight.
“Difference of two seconds, game clock and shot clock.”
“Harden, sizing up Horford.”
“It’s a three…”
“Good!”
“Harden’s got forty-five.”
“Timeout Boston. Two points Sixers lead.”
The crisp sound of breaking the net is the end of the singles attempt. A priceless quasi-lore, with 45 points tying the career scoring record in a single playoff game.
With the next wave of successful defense, the Celtics had no choice but to resort to foul tactics. The two free throws brought the point difference between the two sides to the gap of two waves of possession, which also declared that the outcome of the game has been decided.
Even though the game was played away and the opponent was the team with the highest hopes of winning the championship, even though the 76ers did not get any free throw opportunities in the first half, and the number of free throws made by the opponent was 1.5 times that of our side, the 76ers still took the lead with 119-115.
James Harden was undoubtedly the most eye-catching player in the game. In 39 minutes, he scored 45 points, 6 assists and 2 steals with 17 of 30 shots and 7 of 14 three-pointers. In the first quarter, Celtics created a large number of high-efficiency shots at the basket with multiple air cuts and strong cuts. The three-pointer was also good. The team shot 17 of 20 shots and an 85% shooting rate. Participate in turning the tide to avoid the 76ers collapse. In the second quarter, Harden’s shots dropped sharply. In the third quarter, he hit 3 of 9 shots and only hit one of his five three-pointers. State, 15 points in a single quarter beat the total points of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, not to mention the priceless winning three-pointer 8.4 seconds before the end of the game.
And all of this was done in the absence of the league’s leading scorer and season MVP Joel Embiid due to injury. His salary cut allowed the team to make more reinforcements, he worked hard to adjust to a pass-oriented role, and he gradually moved away from the peak of his youth, but when the team needed someone to come forward, he was still obliged to do his part.
In this battle, James Harden not only tied the personal record for the highest score in the playoffs, but also ranked among the top ten in the history of scoring 40+ points in a single game in the NBA playoffs!
It is worth mentioning that he is the player who averages the least minutes per game and is the least dependent on free throws among these players. Perhaps many people have complaints about James Harden’s performance in the playoffs, but facts speak louder than words, and prejudice is vulnerable to data!
Let us let go of our preconceived notions, admire the greatness and witness the legend together.
ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!
【NBA playoffs scoring 40+ times in a single game list】
1. Michael Jordan – Place 38
(43.7 minutes per game, 13.0 free throws per game)
2. LeBron James – 28
(44.1 minutes per game, 12.3 free throws per game)
3. Jerry West – Place 20
(The average time per game is untestable, and the average number of free throws per game is 14.2)
T4. Kevin Durant – 14 games
(44.6 minutes per game, 13.4 free throws per game)
T4. Elgin Baylor – Field 14
(The average time per game is untestable, and the average number of free throws per game is 15.2)
T6. Kobe Bryant – 13場
(43.2 minutes per game, 11.0 free throws per game)
T6. Wilt Chamberlain – 13 場
(47.4 minutes per game, 15.4 free throws per game)
8. Shaquille O’Neal – 12 場
(44.1 minutes per game, 16.9 free throws per game)
9. Hakeem Olajuwon – 11 場
(44.1 minutes per game, 11.2 free throws per game)
2023-05-03 03:34:27
#NBA #Playoffs #Celtics #76ers #Game #postgame #essay #Harden #dreaming #return #top #NBA #Basketball #Sports #Vision #Sports #Vision
