Boston regain home court with 114-102 win at 76ers as C’s spoil Joel Embiid’s MVP celebration

The Boston Celtics played spoilers following Joel Embiid’s MVP ceremony to take back home court with a 114-102 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series.

Boston silenced the Wells Fargo Center crowd with a well-balanced performance from its starters.

Jayson Tatum headlined for the C’s with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Al Horford rubber-stamped his pregame proclamation of being an ‘elite shooter’ with five three-pointers (5-7) in a 17-point performance. 

Joel Embiid led all 76ers with 30 points and 13 rebounds as James Harden largely struggled. Embiid was playing in just his second game since returning from injury – a sprained LCL in his right knee.

Harden scored 16 points, going 3-14 FG and 2-7 from three-point range – in a drastic change to his Game 1 heroics without his 7-foot partner in crime. 

Jayson Tatum led all players with 27 points as the Boston Celtics regained home court Friday

Embiid dropped 30 points alongside  13 rebounds as he tried to will Philadelphia to victory

James Harden struggled to recapture his Game 1 form, going 3-14 FG and 2-7 from the arc

Friday night was Embiid’s first performance in front of Sixers fans since winning the NBA’s MVP award on Wednesday. The native Cameroonian thanked fans during a pre-game address, which featured a cameo by his son, Arthur.

Arthur Elijah De Paula Embiid adorably ran on to the floor before he was picked up by the six-time All-Star, after he had already began to cry. 

The lovable pair were greeted with strong cheers with the noise only increasing once fans inside the Wells Fargo Center were given a close-up look at the Embiids. Chants of MVP also rung around the South Philadelphia arena. 

The Sixers managed to split the first two games in Boston, but were coming off a disastrous 121-87 Game 2 loss, in which the returning Embiid managed only 15 points and three rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

Philadelphia made just 6 of 30 3-pointers for the game, while Boston made 20 of 51 from deep.

It was a complete departure from Game 1, which the Sixers won, 119-115, without the injured Embiid. Not only did Philadelphia make 17 of 38 3-point attempts, including 7 of 14 by Harden, but the Sixers forced 16 turnovers while yielding only six.

It was a largely positive night for the Celtics however, who have now won back-to-back games to take a 2-1 lead in the series. 

Grant Williams had his head accidentally stepped on by Embiid while lying on the ground in a fight for a loose ball. 

The lovable Cameroonian made sure to check on his opponent with the two sharing a moment of sterling sportsmanship amid the battle for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.