76ers-Celtics: Boston wins Game 3 — and grabs a 2-1 series lead — as Jayson Tatum takes over late

Was it happening? The 76ers, who looked like they had no chance against the Celtics after Game 1, suddenly had a real shot at winning a critical Game 3 victory and taking a 2-1 series lead at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday.

Tyrese Maxey pulled around a screen, knocked down another critical three-pointer and snarled as the ball fell through the net and his team took an 85-84 lead with 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Then things began the unravel, and the Sixers fell, 108-100, to Boston.

The Sixers battled back from a seven-point halftime deficit and trailed 79-74 at the end of three quarters here at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Tyrese Maxey and Paul George keyed the comeback, taking turns getting hot from deep. George kicked things off in the third with a midrange look and three-pointer shortly after. Then Maxey entered the party, scoring a layup and a deep three on back-to-back possessions.

But he wasn't done. Maxey pulled up for another step-back shot and three-pointer to give the Sixers a brief 67-64 lead.

Paul George woke up in the second quarter as the 76ers made a deliberate decision to get him involved. It paid off but they still trail the Celtics, 54-47, headed into halftime.

After finishing the first quarter scoreless, George put together eight points in the second and created a critical turnover while defending Jaylen Brown in the backcourt.

As he did to start Game 2, Nurse called George's number at the start of the second quarter and placed him in isolation. George knocked down a three to bring the Sixers without two points. That opened the floodgates and he knocked down two more shots before the end of the period.

In Games 1 and 2, it was kind of clear early whose night was trending positively. But both teams showed up to Game 3, and the 76ers trail the Boston Celtics, 29-24, after the first quarter.

The Sixers and Celtics duked it out, trading baskets on offense and pestering their opponents on offense.

Tyrese Maxey (nine points), Kelly Oubre (seven) and Adem Bona (six) led the way for the Sixers in every way, providing tough defense and scoring punch.

Adem Bona's play had been a sore subject.

Starting in place of injured MVP Joel Embiid, Bona had struggled and needed to be replaced by Andre Drummond in Games 1 and 2.

Not so to start Game 3. Bona started the game a little rocky, registering a goal tend and a foul in the first minute. But from there he was a ball of energy in the paint, blocking shots and finishing at the rim.

The center position has taken center stage for the Sixers in recent weeks with Joel Embiid undergoing an appendectomy and thrusting Adem Bona and Andre Drummond into clutch moments.

But while it's a major storyline, this wasn't new territory for either player. Both have performed well and had tough moments at different times. Most recently it has been Drummond who has contributed big minutes.

In the first two games of the Sixers' best-of-seven series against the Boston Celtics, Bona has started the first half and Drummond has started the second half.

When Game 2 of the 76ers' best-of-seven series against Boston Celtics was knotted at 94-89, it was Tyrese Maxey's shooting that fended off a late run and brought home an unexpected road victory at TD Garden.

Because Maxey has been so consistent for the Sixers, it's easy to forget that he missed considerable time after aggravating a finger injury on his shooting hand.

Coach Nick Nurse hasn't even thought about the fact that Maxey still wears a splint on his right little finger. Asked when Maxey will be cleared to remove the protective wear, Nurse said he'll ask.

Joel Embiid has been downgraded to out for the 76ers’ Game 3 or their first-round series against the Boston Celtics Friday night, the team announced.

Embiid, who is recovering from an April 9 appendectomy, was listed as doubtful to play in Game 3 on Thursday’s evening’s official injury report. The former MVP had participated in portions of the Sixers’ light practice that day, after resuming individual on-court and strength and conditioning work earlier in the week.

“Just not ready yet," head coach Nick Nurse said before Game 3. "He's lifting [weights] some. He’s got on-court a bit. But we’re still two weeks and a day [from his surgery].” 

Joel Embiid (appendectomy) was not on the Xfinity Mobile Arena court when media was permitted to enter for Friday morning's shootaround ahead of Game 3 against the Celtics. Neither was Adem Bona, who started the first two games at center.

Andre Drummond, for what it’s worth, was wearing a gray jersey used by reserve players while getting in extra shooting work following the team session.

That all means Embiid’s status remains uncertain heading into the matchup, after he was “upgraded” to doubtful on Thursday evening’s official injury report. The former NBA Most Valuable Player had particpated in parts of Thursday’s practice, after beginning individual strength and conditioning and on-court work earlier in the week.

VJ Edgecombe was the talk of Game 2.

After a quiet debut in the 76ers' best-of-seven series against the Boston Celtics, he broke out early and never looked back.

The first-year player scored 20 points in the first half of the Sixers' 111-97 victory. And he finished the game with a historic 30-point, 10-rebound performance, becoming the youngest player ever to post that stat line in the playoffs.

The first two games of this series swung dramatically, with the Celtics blasting the Sixers in Game 1 before the Sixers responded with a double-digit Game 2 victory.

Coach Nick Nurse, though, said he was not “totally shocked” by either result. Because even when the same teams meet between four and seven consecutive times, wrinkles such as shooting variance, schematic adjustments, and less-predictable role-player contributions can alter the course of one specific matchup.

“I wasn’t shocked after Game 1,” Nurse said. “I certainly wasn’t hoping or expecting that, but I wasn’t shocked. And I wasn’t that shocked after Game 2. I thought both of those scenarios were possible.”

The annoying world of streaming will come to a head for Philly sports fans tonight, with three events scattered across the digital world.

Day 2 of the NFL draft will be most accessible, airing on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network beginning at 7 p.m. tonight. But you'll need at least two separate screens to keep up with the rest of the action across town.

Game 3 of the 76ers first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics also begins at 7 p.m. tonight, but the game isn't airing on TV – it's streaming exclusively on Amazon's Prime Video and won't air on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

VJ Edgecombe playfully said Thursday that his viral wink captured on television during Game 2 was “for whoever wanted it.”

But who was it actually directed at?

A teammate, he says. Either Kelly Oubre or Paul George. Edgecombe can’t quite remember.

Joel Embiid is officially listed as doubtful to play in Friday’s Game 3 of the 76ers’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, after he participated in parts of Thursday’s practice while continuing to recover from an April 9 appendectomy.

“Obviously, we’re really hopeful. And I think he’s really hopeful,” coach Nick Nurse said after the practice. “He wants to play, and we want him to play. I don’t know how close we are to that at this point, but I think there’s some progress being made. And let’s hope it keeps going that way.”

Embiid began a strength and conditioning program in Philly on Monday, then progressed to on-court work before Thursday’s team session. Nurse described the day’s work primarily as a double film session, with on-court activities described as “not much more” than a walk-through.

Know this: Game 2 wasn’t a fluke.

That’s a dangerous thing to say, but following the evidence can lead you to some dangerous places.

The 76ers didn’t beat the Boston Celtics because they hit a bunch of shots they normally miss, or because Boston missed a bunch of shots they normally make. The Sixers won Game 2 because they outplayed the Celtics for three quarters, especially on the defensive end of the court. It was an honest, well-deserved victory. That is why the best-of-seven series is even heading into Game 3.