JAMES HARDEN SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST AND SAVED SIXERS SEASON!
By Tommy Matthews
This was a classic NBA playoff game.
And, in many ways, it might have been the most exciting game in Sixers postseason history, which dates to 1964.
James Harden hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime and scored 42 points as the Sixers withstood a Celtics comeback in a 116-115 victory that evened their playoff series at 2-2.
Marcus Smart’s potential winner was a tick too late and the Celtics now head home for Tuesday’s Game 5 with Game 6 back in Philly on Thursday night.
The Sixers season was on the brink, especially when Joel Embiid connected with Smart on a driving, one-handed bank shot with 1:49 left but was whistled for an offensive foul. The play was reviewed and the call stood. Boston kept its 112-111 lead with 1:49 left in OT.
Embiid kept his composure and eventually got to the line to sink the go-ahead free throws with 59 seconds left and the season in the balance.
Embiid had 34 points and 13 rebounds.
