The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to eliminate the Boston Celtics in Game 6 at home on Thursday and advance to the Eastern Conference finals. They led the series, 3-2, after an impressive road win in Game 5, and they were looking to bury the Celtics.
However, this Boston team has seen every playoff scenario, and it put that experience to good use on Thursday. The Celtics staved off elimination with a 95-86 win over the Sixers to force a winner-take-all Game 7 in Boston on Sunday.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who was 1-for-13 from the floor through the first three quarters, took over in the fourth. He was 4-for-5 from deep in the final frame and outscored the Sixers by himself 16-13 in the quarter.
Joel Embiid had 26 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey had 26 points, and James Harden had 13 points on 4-for-16 shooting for Philadelphia.
NBA Twitter reacted to the loss for the Sixers: