James Harden stepped up when his team needed him most.
With Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid sidelined with a sore right knee, Harden matched a playoff career-high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer over Celtics big man Al Horford with 8.6 seconds left as the Sixers beat the Boston Celtics 119-115 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
With no Embiid on Monday night, the Sixers turned to their perimeter offense, and it worked. Philadelphia connected on 17 3-pointers with Tyrese Maxey adding 26 points and Tobias Harris chipping in with 18.
“We didn’t come into the game expecting to lose. We came in here to win,” Harden said.
Game 1: 76ers 119, Celtics 115 | Philadelphia leads series 1-0
Who was the guy? Harden was incredible. He hit 17-of-30 shots and attempted only four free throws. He looked like the vintage Harden we saw in Houston.
What was the key? Despite Boston living in the paint, Philadelphia outscored the Celtics by 21 points from beyond the arc. Math. Learn it.
Key stat: There are more important numbers than this, but I think it should be placed on record that a game featuring Harden didn’t have its first free throw until 30 seconds were left in the first half. Both teams combined for just 30 free throws.
The moment it was over: When Harden hit his 3-pointer over Horford for the go-ahead, game-winning basket. It was a very back-and-forth game for the final 29-ish minutes.
The moment of the game: See above.
Should the Celtics be worried? Losing Game 1 on your home floor with Embiid sitting out should have Boston a bit worried moving forward. Do I expect Harden to do this for an entire series? Probably not. However, if Embiid does play sooner rather than later, the Celtics could be in some trouble.
What can the 76ers do to win Game 2? I liked the game plan on Monday night. Philly shot 38 3-pointers and converted on 44.7 percent. Also, unleashed Harden is fun. No. 1 option Harden is a blast. More of that, please.
What can the Celtics do to win Game 2? Get up more 3-pointers, force the Embiid-less 76ers to foul more often and relax on the turnovers.
Game 2: Nuggets 97, Suns 87 | Denver leads series 2-0
Who was the guy? The Joker. Nikola Jokić put up 39 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. It was only the second time this postseason that the reigning MVP led the Nuggets in scoring, and it was the first time he did it in a win.
What was the key? The Nuggets defense was good in the first half, dropped off in the third quarter and then really ramped up in the fourth. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown led the way on that end. The Suns shot 7 of 24 in the fourth quarter.
Key stat: Phoenix shot 19 percent from 3. Not kidding.
The moment it was over: With about two minutes to play, Caldwell-Pope and Murray, who was 3 of 15 from the floor, hit back-to-back jumpers that sunk Phoenix and put the lead out to a semi-comfortable spot.
The moment of the game: Chris Paul left the game with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter after he injured his groin attempting to get a rebound. The Suns were playing well at that moment, but things started to slip shortly after Paul went out. Statistically, the veteran guard didn’t have a tremendous night, but he was the only player with a positive plus-minus.
Should the Suns be worried? Ayton guarding Jokić, Paul injured, losing to the Nuggets in a game in which Murray shoots 20 percent … yeah, Phoenix should be worried.
What can the Nuggets do to win Game 3? Lock in defensively as they did on Monday night. That was as good of a defensive performance by Denver as I’ve seen it play all season.
What can the Suns do to win Game 3? Hope that Durant doesn’t have another poor shooting night, pray Ayton plays better defensively against Jokić and beg the basketball gods that Paul’s injury isn’t as serious as it seems.
