The watched as their 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers slipped away this week as they lost Game 7 and were eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday night.
The 76ers , 109-100, behind Joel Embiids 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Embiid made nine of his 11 free-throw attempts, but drew flopping accusations from Celtics star Jaylen Brown after the game.
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“Embiid put a lot of pressure on us, like on all our bigs and our guards,” he said, via Mass Live. “We didnt really have an answer for him. We tried a bunch of different things and he just, hes a big body, and also he was flopping around, he got some extra calls and stuff like that, and they rewarded him for that. Thats the league that were in. So, thats all I got to say.”
Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and VJ Edgecombe added 23 in the win.
One of the key difference-makers in Game 7 were Philadelphias 3-point shooting. The 76ers were 39% from long range while Boston shot 27%. The Celtics were 13-of-49.
Brown said after the game that he didnt feel as though Philadelphia was a “traditional” No. 7 seed. He gave credit to Maxey, Embiid and Paul Georges effectiveness.
“Like we just didnt really have an games that he played. He just was a problem for us,” Brown added. “Obviously, we didnt know if he was going to be able to play because of his appendicitis, or whatever you call it, but I think that made the difference. But give credit to (76ers head coach) Nick Nurse. Give credit to Philadelphia. They got better.”
Boston also lost Jayson Tatum to an injury in the middle of Game 6 and he exited Game 7, while trying to play through an injury.
Philadelphia will play the New York Knicks in the next round.
