Yet Another Thrilling Celtics-Sixers Finish

Jayson Tatum comes up with several key baskets in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner.

Marcus Smart remembers vividly a year how important finishing the season strong was going to be for Boston to have a legit shot at winning an NBA title. 

“We buckled down, handled our business, and made a run when it mattered most,” he said. “That’s the mindset this year. It won’t be easy; it’s not supposed to.”

This is why Saturday’s 110-107 win at Philadelphia was a game that meant more than most would know, to the Boston Celtics. 

After struggling most of the game in making shots, Jayson Tatum carried the Celtics in the fourth which included draining the game-winning basket with 1.3 seconds to play.

The Sixers had one last chance and seemingly made the most of it when Joel Embiid’s beyond-halfcourt heave went in. However, replays showed it clearly came after the game clock had expired.

This victory for Boston was about more than just putting a little extra cushion between themselves and a hard-charging team in the East.