Celtics rally back from 22-point deficit to take Game 2 over Sixers, 108-103
The Celtics came back from a huge 1st-half deficit to take 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-103. Terry Rozier led the Celtics again with 20 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds including some huge plays in the 4th quarter. Jayson Tatum outdueled Ben Simmons with 21 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Jaylen Brown made his return to the lineup and chipped in 13 points and 4 rebounds and he made his presence known with some serious action at the rim.
For the Sixers, J.J. Reddick led the team with 23 points and Joel Embiid scored 20 points and ripped down 14 boards. "Rookie" Ben Simmons was abysmal in the loss, scoring 1 point on 0-4 shooting although he did have 7 assists and 5 rebounds in the effort.
The C's got off to a rough start, missing their first four attempts from the field as they allowed the Sixers to start the game on an 8-0 run. A trey from Smart got the C's on the board and Brown checked in for the first time this series and quickly made his presence known:
Glad to see Jaylen Brown not dive for this ball! Scoop and Run!! pic.twitter.com/nWcIUfhhRV— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) May 4, 2018
The Sixers still carried a 9-point lead into the 2nd quarter, 31-22, behind 13 points from Reddick as he shot 5 of 6 from the field (3-3 from deep).
Things didn't get much better for the C's to start the 2nd, as Embiid finally got going against Aron Baynes. After a few buckets in close he even knocked down this ridiculous fadeaway:
This is one of the most difficult shots I've ever seen a big man make. This isn't supposed to go in. Turning over the wrong shoulder, fade-away from 15 feet, and still all net. WOW. pic.twitter.com/wNAFz7AurH— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) May 4, 2018
With 7:21 remaining in the 1st half the C's sloppy play had already resulted in 7 turnovers vs 8 field goals made. Meanwhile Philly built themselves a 21-point lead behind the carelessness of the C's and their own dominance on the glass.
But the Celtics rallied late in the 2nd quarter behind some tough defense and stellar shooting, closing on an 18-3 run over the final 4 minutes that was capped off with authority once again from Brown:
Marcus Morris lobs it up to Jaylen to finish the first half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/l0Qbmu9UBA— FL⚡️SH (@TheNBAFlash) May 4, 2018
Halftime: 76ers 56, Celtics 51.— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 4, 2018
The C's fight back from a 22-point deficit to make it a 5-point game at the half. Marcus Smart remains Boston's leading scorer with 14 points. Terry Rozier has 10 points and 3 assists. Al Horford: 7 points, 9 rebounds. pic.twitter.com/1utRKOG871
It took the Celtics just over 3 minutes into the 2nd half to complete the comeback and knot the score at 58, and just over a minute later they'd take their first lead of the on a three from Baynes.
Then Tatum went off, scoring 10 points in the quarter and shaking Robert Covington out of his shoes in the process:
Is that All NBA Defense Robert Covington? Can't be pic.twitter.com/QXG7vLOK5g— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) May 4, 2018
The Celtics started the 4th quarter witha 5-point lead, but after Philly tied the game things got wild. A back-and-forth battle ensued until it was Scary Terry time as Rozier got hot late, ripping off a pair of threes and putting a thunderous finish on the Sixers with this dime to Tatum on the run:
Rozier races down the court and finds Tatum on the lob! pic.twitter.com/6QDF7hs4HU— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 4, 2018
The Celtics now hold a 2-0 lead as the series shifts back to Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is at 5pm.
Photo Credit - Brian Babineau/GETTY Images
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