3 observations after Sixers play fantastic Game 5, go up 3-2 on Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia BOSTON — The Sixers are one win away from eliminating the defending Eastern Conference champions and they didn’t need any James Harden game-winners Tuesday night. They earned a decisive victory in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series against the Celtics, beating Boston 115-103 to grab a 3-2 series lead. Joel Embiid was the Sixers’ top scorer, recording 33 points. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points. Harden had 17 points on 4-for-8 shooting, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Tobi ..read more

Rivers plans to keep rotation short, play stars big minutes moving forward originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia BOSTON — James Harden played his most ever minutes in a Sixers uniform on Sunday. For good reason, the Sixers leaned on Harden for 47 minutes and 24 seconds in their Round 2, Game 4 overtime win over the Celtics. He delivered 42 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals.  It wasn’t quite Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals, when Harden went the full 53 minutes of the Nets’ overtime loss to the Bucks on a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Still, it was ..read more

Order restored in Philly, at least for a day, as Phils, Sixers get back on track originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia Maybe this was Restoration Sunday. The cloud that descended on Philadelphia sports with the arrival of Boston’s finest was joyless and ominous. The Sixers got their MVP back from injury and promptly lost two playoff games to the Celtics, by a combined score of 235-189. The Phillies got their MVP back from injury and promptly lost four consecutive games – 2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers but 2 at home to the Red Sox. The Phillies went into Sunday’s series finale with a 6 ..read more

3 observations after Harden scores 42, saves Sixers in Game 4 OT win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia James Harden bounced back to save the day Sunday. The Sixers earned a wild, gigantic, much-needed win in overtime, a 116-115 decision at Wells Fargo Center over the Celtics. Their second-round series is now tied at two games apiece. Harden posted 42 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals. He made the go-ahead jumper with 19 seconds left in OT, a catch-and-shoot corner three assisted by Embiid. Marcus Smart then drained a three, but he didn’t get his jumper off befo ..read more

James Harden sank the overtime 3-pointer that sent the 76ers to a playoff victory and instantly waved over John Hao, a paralyzed Michigan State shooting survivor who developed a long-distance FaceTime bond with Philadelphia’s star guard. Harden had just scored 42 points, removed his sneakers, signed them and handed them to his new friend. “He brought me good vibes, good energy,” Harden said. Hao was all smiles as he looked on from the court, a needed respite from looming rehabilitation for the international student from China who attended Game 4 as Harden’s guest. Before the game, Harden leane ..read more

3 observations after Sixers suffer deflating Game 3 loss to Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The Sixers did not return home in style. With a deflating 114-102 loss to the Celtics on Friday night at Wells Fargo Center, the team fell into a 2-1 deficit against Boston in their second-round playoff series.  Joel Embiid lifted the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy in an emotional ceremony shortly before tip-off.  He had 30 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. James Harden and Tyrese Maxey each seriously struggled. Harden recorded 16 points on 3-for-14 shooting and 11 assist ..read more

For Game 3, Sixers want a much stronger response to Celtics’ pressure originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The Sixers want a forceful response Friday night to the Celtics’ shove back in Game 2. After falling to Boston by 34 points in Joel Embiid’s return to action, the Sixers will host Game 3 and expect to be better across the board.  Specifically, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers emphasized how his team replies to the Celtics’ pressure and physicality.  “I thought their ball pressure took us out of everything,” Rivers said Thursday following a Sixers film session. “It wouldn ..read more

5 potential head coaches for Bucks after Mike Budenholzer firing originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago Mike Budenholzer is the latest championship-winning head coach to find himself unemployed. The Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday made a shocking announcement that they were firing Budenholzer, their coach of the past five years who led them to the NBA’s best overall record this season, following a first-round upset by the No. 8 Miami Heat.  Budenholzer now joins the likes of Tyronn Lue, Nick Nurse and Frank Vogel as coaches who won recent NBA titles only to find themselves eventually ouste ..read more

3 observations after Boston blows Sixers out, evens series in Embiid’s return originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia BOSTON — One sensational win without Joel Embiid, one back-to-earth loss with him.  After being named the NBA’s MVP on Tuesday, Embiid returned from a right knee sprain Wednesday night at TD Garden. With their cornerstone center in the lineup, the Sixers got blown out by Boston in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series. A 121-87 Celtics victory knotted the series at 1-1.  Jaylen Brown scored 25 points and Malcolm Brogdon had 23. Embiid posted 15 points on ..read more

Embiid makes his return from knee injury for Game 2 vs. Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia BOSTON — The MVP is back in business.  Joel Embiid returned to the Sixers’ starting lineup Wednesday night for Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against the Celtics at TD Garden.  After sitting out two playoff games with a right knee sprain, the new MVP got the green light with the Sixers seeking a 2-0 series lead in Boston. The Sixers’ dramatic, James Harden-starring win Monday improved the team’s overall record this season to 13-5 without Embiid. Obviously ..read more