Inside The Celtics

Here's What Stood Out in Game 6 Win vs. Sixers: Jayson Tatum's 16 Fourth Quarter Points Saves Celtics' Season

After shooting 1/13 through three quarters, Jayson Tatum met the moment in the final frame, forcing a Game 7.

Bobby Krivitsky

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Through three quarters, Jayson Tatum failed to find his rhythm. He converted on only 1/13 shots.

He found other ways to make an impact, evidenced by his nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. And even after a 16-point lead evaporated, his team did its best to keep the game close.

But with the Sixers swarming defensively, repeatedly getting a hand on the ball, and the Celtics struggling to find a reliable source of offense, Boston needed its best player to meet the moment.

Rising to the occasion, Tatum knocked down 4/5 threes, producing 16 points in the final frame, leading the Celtics to a Game 7 that'll take place on their home floor on Sunday.

While the defending Eastern Conference champions don't win without the two-time All-NBA First Team member's fourth-quarter heroics, Boston first needed the performances it got from the supporting cast.

Marcus Smart was the visitors' most consistent player. The Celtics' starting floor general scored 22 points on 8/15 shooting and dished out seven assists, both team-highs. He also grabbed seven rebounds and swiped two steals. And his plus-20 plus-minus rating was the highest in the matchup.

Robert Williams, inserted into the starting lineup Thursday, responded with excellent defense, especially at the rim, where his presence consistently persuaded members of the opposition, including Joel Embiid, to settle for mid-range shots. As a deterrent at the basket, the Time Lord helped limit Philadelphia to 32 points in the paint.

Boston also got terrific on-ball defense from Al Horford against Embiid, a late third-quarter flurry from Jaylen Brown to help keep the contest close, and 16 points off the bench from Malcolm Brogdon.

All of that, especially the stifling defense that limited the Sixers to an abysmal 36.1 percent from the field, including 8/34 (23.5 percent) from beyond the arc, helped overcome 18 turnovers leading to 18 points for the hosts while hoping the offense could do enough to capitalize on what was happening at the other end.

Now, a deep dive into what stood out in a 95-86 victory that saved the Celtics' season.

1. Starting the game with Robert Williams and Al Horford on the floor gave Boston a spark, building a 15-3 lead to open Thursday's matchup. The two helped bog down the hosts' offense and keep them off the glass, allowing the visitors to play with pace and create quality opportunities at the other end.

While Horford spaced the floor, the Time Lord also made an impact as a screener and above-the-rim threat.

2. Joe Mazzulla opting to keep Malcolm Brogdon in the role he's filled all season as the Celtics' sixth man is logical. And doing so is a way to ensure Boston gets a boost from the second unit, something that didn't happen enough last postseason.

But as someone who nearly had 50/40/90 shooting splits for the second time in his career and has done well defending James Harden, overall, Brogdon needs to be on the floor as much as possible.

The Sixth Man of the Year came off the pine to produce 11 points on 4/4 shooting in the first frame, knocking down all three shots he hoisted from beyond the arc. Brogdon led all scorers after the game's first 12 minutes.

3. Marcus Smart, Brogdon's backcourt mate, was excellent in the first half. The Celtics' starting floor general registered 15 points, matching Tyrese Maxey for the most after 24 minutes, converting on 6/8 shots, including 3/5 threes.

He also played well defensively and made multiple hustle plays, including being the first to a loose ball, then taking off and finishing a contested layup.

4. Al Horford did a terrific job against Joel Embiid in the first two quarters. The MVP started 1/7 and went into the locker room with 12 points on 3/9 shooting. Embiid earned and capitalized on six free throws, but Horford only committed two fouls in the first half.

5. Jayson Tatum again failed to make a shot from the field in the first frame. He's missed 19 straight shots in the opening quarter.

To the four-time All-Star's credit, despite going 0/10 and scoring one point in the first half, he found other ways to impact the game, entering halftime with seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, leading all participants in each category.

6. The Celtics got hit with a haymaker in the third quarter. The Sixers staged a 14-4 run, gaining momentum and confidence as the former struggled to find sources of scoring.

That juice led to Philadelphia making more hustle plays and winning the battle for 50/50 balls, including De'Anthony Melton coming up with the rock under the rim and kicking it out to Georges Niang for a corner three.

As Tatum remained out of rhythm, entering the final frame 1/13 with three points, Boston put only 21 on the board in the third period. A late flurry by Jaylen Brown helped keep the visitors within two, 73-71, with 12 minutes left, but the hosts generating 30 points made them more formidable defensively.

7. With both teams struggling to score in the fourth quarter, Tatum started percolating, drilling back-to-back threes and registering eight-straight points for the visitors. That boost put the Celtics ahead 87-83 with 3:35 remaining.

The two-time All-NBA First Team member buried another one shortly after that, producing 11 of Boston's last 14 points and extending the lead to 92-84 with 1:53 on the game clock.

A few more stops and another Tatum three, giving him 16 points in the final frame, sealed the deal as the Celtics forced a Game 7, prevailing 95-86.

It wasn't quite Tatum's 46-point masterpiece against the Bucks in Game 6 in Milwaukee last year, but when his team needed him most on Thursday, he delivered.

Up Next

Game 7 between the Celtics and Sixers is Sunday at TD Garden. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the matchup before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Earn All-NBA Honors; Here's What That Means for Them and the Celtics

Celtics Share Their Perspective on Failing to Meet the Moment in Game 5 Loss to Sixers

Here's What Stood Out in Game 5 Loss: Celtics Falls Flat as Sixers Push Them to Brink of Elimination

Joe Mazzulla Explains Why He Didn't Take a Timeout in Celtics' Game 4 Loss to Sixers

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 4 Loss to Sixers: Boston Falls One Play Short of 3-1 Lead

Joe Mazzulla Sheds Light on Keys to Celtics' Defense Stifling Sixers in Game 3 Win

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 3 Win vs. Sixers: Boston Shows Its Championship-Mettle, Takes 2-1 Series Lead

Celtics Praise Jaylen Brown for Setting Tone in Game 2 Win vs. Sixers: 'It's as Good of a Game as I've Ever Seen Him Play'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 2 Win vs. Sixers: Renewed Defensive Commitment, Three-Point Barrage Even the Series

Film Room: Recalibrating Celtics' Defense for Game 2 Against Sixers

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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