Sixers-Celtics Game 3 was everything you want in NBA playoff basketball
Sixers-Celtics Game 3 was everything you want in NBA playoff basketball
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If only we could get seven games of this. Too bad we probably won’t.
Game 3 between the Sixers and Celtics on Saturday might not be the high-scoring showdown you’re accustomed to seeing out West, but that doesn’t mean it was any less exciting. Actually, it was an incredible game between two East teams with the brightest futures that ended with a 101-98 final score in overtime.
The Celtics now hold a commanding 3-0 series lead, one that no team has ever come back from. Game 3 was a wild one. Here’s what made it so fun.
Joel Embiid vs. Aron Baynes
Embiid and Ben Simmons teamed up for the play of the year, and it was at Baynes’s expense.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Ben Simmons dishes & Joel Embiid DELIVERS!
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2018
12 straight points for the @sixers!#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/gCCVNEtJ54
Of course he stared Baynes down after the flush.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The staredown pic.twitter.com/34MfO2ugIB
— Chris Barnewall (@ChrisBarnewall) May 5, 2018
The two were physical and went back and forth all game long. Eventually, Embiid fouled Baynes out in the fourth quarter.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Shake 'n score. pic.twitter.com/dBepVR63hA
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 5, 2018
Embiid over Al Horford
Baynes wasn’t the only Celtic who caught smoke on Saturday. Embiid threw it all over Al Horford, too.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>J EL EMBIID pic.twitter.com/ItxpH1nN5I
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 5, 2018
Then as a celebration (taunt), Embiid took a photo of Horford, as if to put him on a poster — or on Instagram.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Cracking up at Embiid taking a picture after dunking on Horford pic.twitter.com/nsvOksWNwx
— Born Salty (@cjzero) May 5, 2018
This would come back to bite him.
Jayson Tatum’s excellence
Tatum was so, so good in Game 3. He had 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting, and even though he missed a few key free throws late in the game, he was easily the best rookie on the floor.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Tatum drives in for the flush! pic.twitter.com/P7oaB7SC2W
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 5, 2018
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Beautiful floater by the rook pic.twitter.com/ET7ITJAHeb
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 5, 2018
He even almost posterized Embiid, then turned around and told him “you got lucky.”
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Aye I love Jayson Tatum man he told Embiid “You got lucky.. you got lucky” tried to end Embiid pic.twitter.com/XjxblJZTmd
— GodFather BigStacks Porzingis (@PeeWeeDaPlug) May 5, 2018
Tatum scored 20 points for the fifth game in a row. It broke a tie with Larry Bird for the most consecutive 20-point playoff games by a Celtics player since 1980. That is amazing.
Ben Simmons’s struggles
Simmons only scored one point in Game 2 — yes, ONE point — so he needed to come out aggressive in Game 3 if the Sixers were going to stand a chance. He had 14 points this time around, but had some rookie pains down the stretch, including a brutal miss on a wide pen dunk late in the fourth quarter.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Ben Simmons showtime pic.twitter.com/x15pmgbC9G
— Aron Wobaynes (@World_Wide_Wob) May 5, 2018
He also missed a pretty easy layup on the next possession, but made up for it with a beautiful layup in OT.
A wild ending(?)
The last 30 seconds of regulation will probably be replayed on SportsCenter a few times tonight. It included more than one presumptive game-winner. We broke that down here.
Premature Confetti!
Marco Belinelli hit a two at the buzzer that tied the game up, but fans thought it was a game-winning three, and whoever’s in charge at the Wells Fargo Arena thought it was, too, so they dropped the confetti onto the home floor.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Premature confetti in Philly. pic.twitter.com/z5AtqG1bAq
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 5, 2018
As we know, though, it wasn’t a game-winner, and overtime was delayed until all the damn confetti got cleaned up. GOOD JOB, SIXERS!
Overtime drama!
The 76ers pulled out to a quick lead in OT, but what do the Celtics do best? Stick around and grind it out. That’s what they did. Boston waited for Philly to make mistakes, like Embiid committing a turnover or Simmons throwing up a brick with the lead and the shot clock turned off.
Horford’s revenge
With Boston down, 98-97, and just a few minuted left on the clock, Horford sealed Robert Covington, caught an easy inbounds pass and got a huge go-ahead bucket. The play was easy because Brad Stevens drew up an incredible ATO that cleared the paint for his All-Star big man.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Brad Stevens is a monster! Check Stevens clear out the entire paint for Al Horford to seal w/out any help. Awesome design. #celtics #76ers pic.twitter.com/AsqwIHNulh
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 5, 2018
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Al for the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/qI45g4XauX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 5, 2018
Horford then came up with the monster inbounds steal that sealed the deal.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Al Horford's HUGE defensive stop! #CUsRise #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/z5cjVXRuuS
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2018
The bad part?
This series is probably over! Boston is up 3-0, and no team has ever come back to win a playoff series trailing three games to none. Game 3 was incredible, and even though this series is basically decided, it’s been an awesome ride to this point.
If only we could watch seven of these showdowns. Maybe we’re just a few years too early.
If only we could get seven games of this. Too bad we probably won’t.
Game 3 between the Sixers and Celtics on Saturday might not be the high-scoring showdown you’re accustomed to seeing out West, but that doesn’t mean it was any less exciting. Actually, it was an incredible game between two East teams with the brightest futures that ended with a 101-98 final score in overtime.
The Celtics now hold a commanding 3-0 series lead, one that no team has ever come back from. Game 3 was a wild one. Here’s what made it so fun.
Joel Embiid vs. Aron Baynes
Embiid and Ben Simmons teamed up for the play of the year, and it was at Baynes’s expense.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Ben Simmons dishes & Joel Embiid DELIVERS!
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2018
12 straight points for the @sixers!#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/gCCVNEtJ54
Of course he stared Baynes down after the flush.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The staredown pic.twitter.com/34MfO2ugIB
— Chris Barnewall (@ChrisBarnewall) May 5, 2018
The two were physical and went back and forth all game long. Eventually, Embiid fouled Baynes out in the fourth quarter.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Shake 'n score. pic.twitter.com/dBepVR63hA
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 5, 2018
Embiid over Al Horford
Baynes wasn’t the only Celtic who caught smoke on Saturday. Embiid threw it all over Al Horford, too.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>J EL EMBIID pic.twitter.com/ItxpH1nN5I
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 5, 2018
Then as a celebration (taunt), Embiid took a photo of Horford, as if to put him on a poster — or on Instagram.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Cracking up at Embiid taking a picture after dunking on Horford pic.twitter.com/nsvOksWNwx
— Born Salty (@cjzero) May 5, 2018
This would come back to bite him.
Jayson Tatum’s excellence
Tatum was so, so good in Game 3. He had 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting, and even though he missed a few key free throws late in the game, he was easily the best rookie on the floor.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Tatum drives in for the flush! pic.twitter.com/P7oaB7SC2W
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 5, 2018
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Beautiful floater by the rook pic.twitter.com/ET7ITJAHeb
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 5, 2018
He even almost posterized Embiid, then turned around and told him “you got lucky.”
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Aye I love Jayson Tatum man he told Embiid “You got lucky.. you got lucky” tried to end Embiid pic.twitter.com/XjxblJZTmd
— GodFather BigStacks Porzingis (@PeeWeeDaPlug) May 5, 2018
Tatum scored 20 points for the fifth game in a row. It broke a tie with Larry Bird for the most consecutive 20-point playoff games by a Celtics player since 1980. That is amazing.
Ben Simmons’s struggles
Simmons only scored one point in Game 2 — yes, ONE point — so he needed to come out aggressive in Game 3 if the Sixers were going to stand a chance. He had 14 points this time around, but had some rookie pains down the stretch, including a brutal miss on a wide pen dunk late in the fourth quarter.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Ben Simmons showtime pic.twitter.com/x15pmgbC9G
— Aron Wobaynes (@World_Wide_Wob) May 5, 2018
He also missed a pretty easy layup on the next possession, but made up for it with a beautiful layup in OT.
A wild ending(?)
The last 30 seconds of regulation will probably be replayed on SportsCenter a few times tonight. It included more than one presumptive game-winner. We broke that down here.
Premature Confetti!
Marco Belinelli hit a two at the buzzer that tied the game up, but fans thought it was a game-winning three, and whoever’s in charge at the Wells Fargo Arena thought it was, too, so they dropped the confetti onto the home floor.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Premature confetti in Philly. pic.twitter.com/z5AtqG1bAq
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 5, 2018
As we know, though, it wasn’t a game-winner, and overtime was delayed until all the damn confetti got cleaned up. GOOD JOB, SIXERS!
Overtime drama!
The 76ers pulled out to a quick lead in OT, but what do the Celtics do best? Stick around and grind it out. That’s what they did. Boston waited for Philly to make mistakes, like Embiid committing a turnover or Simmons throwing up a brick with the lead and the shot clock turned off.
Horford’s revenge
With Boston down, 98-97, and just a few minuted left on the clock, Horford sealed Robert Covington, caught an easy inbounds pass and got a huge go-ahead bucket. The play was easy because Brad Stevens drew up an incredible ATO that cleared the paint for his All-Star big man.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Brad Stevens is a monster! Check Stevens clear out the entire paint for Al Horford to seal w/out any help. Awesome design. #celtics #76ers pic.twitter.com/AsqwIHNulh
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 5, 2018
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Al for the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/qI45g4XauX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 5, 2018
Horford then came up with the monster inbounds steal that sealed the deal.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Al Horford's HUGE defensive stop! #CUsRise #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/z5cjVXRuuS
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2018
The bad part?
This series is probably over! Boston is up 3-0, and no team has ever come back to win a playoff series trailing three games to none. Game 3 was incredible, and even though this series is basically decided, it’s been an awesome ride to this point.
If only we could watch seven of these showdowns. Maybe we’re just a few years too early.
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