James Harden had the guts necessary to deliver a vintage performance for the 76ers, making the tying and winning shots.
He also had a new companion whom he dubbed his good luck charm in the stadium.
Good Game James saved the 76ers in Game 4 after they seemed hopeless in the previous two games.
The Sixers defeated the Boston Celtics 116-115 on Sunday thanks to 42 points from Harden, who also made a game-tying floater with 16 seconds left in regulation and the game-winning 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime.
Harden stated, “I just want to win. “For us, today was life or death.”
Tuesday’s Game 5 of the 76ers’ playoff series is scheduled with the series tied at 2-2.
John Hao, a paraplegic victim of the Michigan State shooting who forged a long-distance friendship with the 10-time All-Star, witnessed Harden’s victory in front of him.
Once he was able to go, Harden invited Hao to a game.
“He’s strong, he’s bouncing back, and he’s recovering very well,” Harden added. “I believe it is my responsibility to give him the happiness and joy he deserves.
We can only hope that this was one of those occasions.
Related: Celtics Ran Over And Through 76ers In Game 3
Moments after Marcus Smart’s potential game-winning shot was just a tick late, Harden waved to Hao and signed his game-used sneakers.
It is now certain that the 76ers will return home for Game 6 on Thursday.
A key moment, according to Jaylen Brown, was when he abandoned Harden in favor of trying to double-team Joel Embiid.
It’s a bad bet and a tremendous shot by James Harden, the man stated. I’m to blame for that. I accept full responsibility.
To eliminate that opportunity, the Celtics did practically everything they could.
With two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Celtics rallied from a 15-point deficit, led by Smart and Jayson Tatum.
When Smart and Brown made back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth and Tatum attacked the rim for a basket that erased an eight-point deficit in 90 seconds, Boston started having fun.
On a play that began after Tyrese Maxey’s shot was blocked on the other end, Al Horford gave them the lead 98-90 and shimmied for the crowd as boos poured down on him.
Fans tensed up despite the fact that the 76ers played on their home court because of the many second-round exits they had experienced since 2001.
For a 105-100 advantage, Smart and Malcolm Brogdon made a string of 3-pointers.
On a defensive rebound and a basket, P.J. Tucker, the Sixers’ heart and soul, did the grunt work once more. He nailed the free throw.
A thriller was ensured when Smart made two free throws and Harden knotted the score at 107 all.
Over the course of the final 17 minutes, the Sixers were in danger of losing multiple times, but none more so than when Embiid collided with Smart while driving for a one-handed bank jumper with 1:49 left in overtime and was called for an offensive foul. After reviewing the play, the call was upheld. Boston retained a 112-111 advantage.
With 59 seconds left and the outcome of the season on the line, Embiid, the NBA MVP with 34 points and 13 rebounds, maintained his cool and eventually went to the line to sink two free throws.
Tatum, who had trouble scoring in the opening minutes but finished with 24 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks, scored a step-back 3-pointer to put his team ahead 115-113. Boston would never again make a challenge, thanks to Harden. read full article here
