It wasn't always easy for the Celtics to finish the job in this series, but they found a way, even if it did take 51 points from Jayson Tatum. So far, the playoffs have had a combined two game sevens and in both of those games, someone scored 50 or more points which had never been done before in a game 7.
This time it was Jayson Tatum and although the Celtics pummeled the Sixers in game 7, it was very important for them to get Jayson Tatum back on track. Tatum looked like a lost cause earlier in the series after shooting a miserable 6-21 in game 6 and starting that game shooting 1-13 as well.
With consistent production from Tatum, the Celtics should find themselves back in the NBA Finals in a couple of weeks. As for the 76ers, consistency was a foreign word for them. It seemed like every game, either Embiid or Harden would have an off game and have to rely on the other to carry the team.
That worked in games 1, 4, and 5, but most definitely not in game seven. The two superstars combined for less than thirty points in a must win game 7 to try to get to the conference finals for the first time in 22 years. It was an embarrassing showing from the Sixers after giving lots of hope that they could make some noise this year, but once again they exit in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
As for the Celtics next matchup, they will have an eastern conference finals rematch from last year with the Miami Heat. The Heat were just three minutes away from being eliminated in the play-in game and all of a sudden they are in the eastern conference finals for the second year in a row.
How did this happen? It is because they stuck together as a team through the ups and downs and didn't let that bother them. Sure some teams had more talent than them, but they persevered, stuck together, and won eight games to get to this spot they are in right now. As I said before, the #8 in front of Miami Heat means absolutely nothing.
The Celtics definitely have a tall task at hand, but if the two J's can be consistent producers throughout the series, they should find themselves back in the finals. They can't afford to make lots of mistakes because the Heat will easily be able to capitalize on this and run away with the series. It should be a fun Eastern Conference Finals and will see who will go onto play either the Lakers or the Nuggets.
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