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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Tatum scores 27, closes strong as Celtics win Game 3 over 76ers

By Matt Dolloff
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics topped the Philadelphia 76ers by a 114-102 final on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center, taking a 2-1 lead in their second-round best-of-seven playoff series.

Jayson Tatum led the team with 27 points, including 10 points in the fourth quarter, while shooting 10-for-20 from the floor. Al Horford popped for 17 points, including 5-for-7 shooting from three-point range.

  • The Celtics made their first five field goal attempts in a row – including four from three-point range – to jump out to an early 14-4 lead in the first quarter. Philly later ripped off an 11-0 run to briefly take a one-point lead, as the C’s missed six shots in a row. Two more lead changes would take place and the Sixers took a 29-28 lead into the second quarter.

    After three tightly contested minutes, the Celtics retook the lead on a Marcus Smart three-pointer, and they would never lose the lead for the rest of the game. Jaylen Brown caught fire after a quiet start offensively, with nine points within the final six minutes of the second quarter. The C’s would go to halftime with a 57-50 lead.

  • Boston would extend its lead to as many as 12 points in the third quarter. Brown stayed hot with 10 more points. Philadelphia, meanwhile, missed their first nine shots of the third quarter and just 8-for-21 in the quarter. The Celtics led by 11 entering the fourth.

    The 76ers were able to cut the Celtics’ lead to as little as four in the fourth quarter, when a Joel Embiid lay-in made it 100-96 with 3:51 left. But the C’s responded with a 14-6 run to close the game, including seven points for Tatum in that closing span.

  • The Celtics will now have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the 76ers in Game 4 on Sunday night. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

    Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

NEXT: 7 Things To Know About This Celtics-76ers Series

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