But the 76ers’ convincing back-to-back victories in Game 5 and Game 6 have left a Boston team that once seemed favored to emerge from the Eastern Conference on the brink of an epic collapse.
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A loss in Game 7 on Saturday would be the earliest playoff exit for the No. 2 seed Celtics since the 2020-21 season.
They may have to do it with star Jayson Tatum dealing with a new ailment after he briefly left Game 6 in the third quarter to receive unspecified treatment for an apparent left calf injury. Tatum, of course, is just 22 games away from returning from the right Achilles injury he suffered in last season’s playoffs.
The Celtics downplayed the current situation, and Tatum said afterward that his leg felt “a little stiff.” He said that after a quick assessment and some time on the stationary bike, he did not return because the game was out of control and the starters had already been retired.
Coach Joe Mazzulla said there was no injury and reiterated that in a conference call Friday.
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“He will play,” Mazzulla said.
However, the recent history of winner-take-all games for Philadelphia teams isn’t exactly on the 76ers’ side.
The Flyers’ return to the NHL playoffs served as a reminder that they are the last Philadelphia sports team to win a Game 7, beating, yes, Boston, in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinal.
Since then, the 76ers in 2012, 2019, 2021 and 2023 have lost Game 7; the Flyers lost one in 2014 and 2020; and the Phillies lost Game 7 of the National League Championship Series in 2023.
The Phillies also lost a decisive Game 5 in the 2011 playoffs.
The Celtics have long had the Sixers’ number in the playoffs, winning the last six series. The 76ers last eliminated the Celtics in the 1982 Eastern Conference semifinals.
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“I’ve been playing against these guys for a long time,” 76ers star Joel Embiid said. “I’m tired of losing to them. We have a chance to achieve something special.”
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
When and where to watch: Game 7, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Series: Series tied 3-3
Betting line: Celtics for 7.5
What to know: The Celtics are 27-10 all-time in Game 7s, the 76ers are 6-12 in those games and are 0-4 in them since 2001. It will be the ninth Game 7 between these two franchises, with Boston going 6-2 in the previous ones. Philadelphia is the 37th team in league history to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-1. Only 13 teams overcame that deficit and won the series. If Boston wants to prevent the 76ers from becoming a 14th seed, their shooting needs to improve. The 76ers have held the NBA’s No. 2 offense during the regular season to under 100 points per game in consecutive games. The Celtics also combined to shoot just 30.5% (22/72) from 3-point range, with 11 hits in each of those games. They led the league in the regular season, averaging 16 three-pointers per game.
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AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed.
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NBA AP: https://apnews.com/NBA