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Sixers Celtics Game 5 Now Becomes A Bonus Game

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Author Connor Thomas

Sunday afternoon was the setting for a pivotal Game 4 in the Sixers-Celtics Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup, and it was an absolute doozy. The Sixers ended up surviving 2 buzzer beater attempts from Marcus Smart to take a 1-point overtime victory and even the series at 2 games apiece. It was a game in which the stars shined bright for Philly, with Joel Embiid and James Harden combining for 76 points, including a game-winning 3 from Harden in OT off an assist from the MVP. In what felt like a must win game, the Sixers made it too close for comfort, but ultimately accomplished what they had to. Rather than being down 3-1, which would’ve essentially been a death sentence, the series is even as it shifts back to Boston for Game 5. Better yet for Sixers’ fans, now, the pressure is back on the Celtics, at least for this next matchup.

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023

Just take a second and think about the momentum of a 7 game series, especially following the road map that this series has followed. The Sixers went on the road and won game 1 in Boston without Joel Embiid; momentum to the Sixers. Boston takes game 2 in a landslide; momentum even. Boston steals game 3 in Philly; momentum to the Celtics. The Sixers face down a potential 3-1 deficit and even the series; momentum… who even knows at this point. My argument, though, is about what could be seen as a hugely important Game 5. For the Sixers, I’m not sure that it has to be seen as a must-win game. In fact, it seems that this next contest will say a lot more about the Celtics than it will, regardless of result, about the Sixers.

Let’s say the Sixers come out and lose Game 5. Sure, they’re down 3-2, but they get to head back to Philadelphia for another must win home game. I’d give the advantage to the Sixers in that game, with elimination in play and what is sure to be an electric crowd in South Philly. Good playoff teams are expected to take care of home games, which is why being down 3-2 isn’t ideal, but isn’t as troubling as 3-1 would’ve been. And what if the series goes 7? Well, we know how that works. ANYTHING can happen in a Game 7, and if the Sixers get there, flip a coin to see who comes out of this dogfight, even with the game being in Boston. So, if pushing the series to 7 is the baseline goal, that means the Sixers only have to win 1 of the next 2 games. Game 5 is sort of a bonus game, where, maybe, something surprising will happen and the Sixers can have a chance to win the series in 6. Either way, though, the pressure is certainly not as much on the Sixers right now as it was on Sunday, and that’s a good thing.

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6 Things The Sixers CANT Let Happen In Game 5

WHAT. A. GAME.

There is a good chance that you have a new heart condition after watching that game. The Sixers came out aggressive and attacked Boston on both ends of the floor. They got Boston into early foul trouble and had Jayson Tatum struggling from the floor. Meanwhile Joel Embiid and James Harden were DIALED IN.

Fresh off of his MVP award presentation, Embiid looked the part. Hitting turn around jumpers, fade away shots, and making his way to the line with unguardable moves. Harden looked like game 1 Harden. Hitting threes, driving the lane, and facilitating. It was fun to watch.

At one point the Sixers were up by 16 on the Celtics and looked like they had their proverbial foot on the Celtics throat. But a 9 point lead in the 4th quarter went away in shocking fashion. The Sixers went cold at a bad time and the Celtics took advantage of it. It found the team down 5 with about 2 minutes to go. PJ Tucker turned into “ThreeJay Tucker” after hitting a put back, and 1. A James Harden floater tied it to send it to overtime. And in OT “the beard” took over.

It was a heat palpitating victory but it was also one that had faults. This isnt to be negative, just stuff that the Sixers NEED to clean up for game 5. The Sixers now find themselves in a 3 games series with Boston holding home court advantage. But in order to FINALLY get out of the second round, here are 6 things that just CANT happen on Tuesday night. (A game that can be heard right here on 97.5 the Fanatic!)

  • Maxey, Melton and Harris Cant Struggle

    Not all three.

    Maxey, Melton and Harris went a combined 9 for 29 from the field. Maxey was aggressive but at times it was a detriment. Driving the lane against 2 defenders and getting it rejected. Melton was non-existent on offense. Defensively he was incredible but he cant go 0-2 and content with not shooting. And Tobias Harris….I dont know how many times I need to beg that man to be aggressive. I need a combined 25 points, assists, and rebounds. He isnt reaching 20. This isnt even about his paycheck, this is about a talented player being engaged and aggressive.

  • Jalen McDaniels Cant NOT Play

    Jalen McDaniels has been a key rotational player since coming over at the deadline. He adds in 10-13 minutes a game and can add some offense. But on Sunday he was a DNP. Could Jalen McDaniels have kept a Jayson Tatum or a Jaylen Brown in check? Maybe. Certainly more so than Georges Niang.

  • Sixers Cant Let The Celtics Off The Hook

    The Sixers were able to get the Celtics in early foul trouble. They then let them off the hook. The Celtics had 6 fouls after the first quarter and just 1 in the second. They never had anyone in green in foul trouble. When they get a Celtic in foul trouble they need to attack.

  • Sixers Cant Blow A Huge Lead

    “Thanks captain obvious.” And yes, it is obvious. But its also true. The Sixers cant go up by a big number and then take their foot off the gas. They need to extend the lead and have the second unit in the game for the last 4-5 minutes.

  • Sixers Cant Go Cold And Find Themselves In A Hole

    I dont know if the Sixers are good enough to dig themselves out of a big hole because the team goes on a cold stretch. Runs will happen, and they happen in every game. But a fear I have is the Sixers start off game 5 like the Celtics started off game 4. Cold as hell and cant hit a shot.

  • Sixers Cant Give The Celtics Second Chance Oppertunities

    The Sixers gave Boston too many second chance opportunities. Jaylen Brown missing 2 free throws and then the Boston grabbing the offensive board and capitalizing on it was back breaking. The numbers are pretty even with Boston grabbing 13 and the Sixers grabbing 12. But it seems like there are too many times when the Celtics are able to grab easy boards because the Sixers were just lackadaisical.

Connor Thomas is a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan who grew up in Hainesport, NJ. After playing collegiate and semi-professional baseball, his love for sports drew him to a career of hosting on 97.5 The Fanatic! As a diehard fan who's never afraid to let his passion and opinion be heard, Connor combines the voice of a new generation of Philly sports fans with the classic hard-nosed nature of the best sports city on the planet. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic he writes about Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers.

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