76ers-Celtics Game 7: Philly looks to eliminate Boston; Joel Embiid is back, and fans have theories about his appendix

The 76ers have stolen two games on the road in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics, and they picked up both wins wearing their home white jerseys.

Someone in the Sixers franchise was aware of that fact heading into Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena and made an executive decision to scrap the plan to go with a throwback look at home after they lost twice in South Philly in their black throwbacks. The decision paid off as the Sixers evened the series and forced Game 7 in Boston.

You'd think the person who made the call would boast a little bit following the team's most recent win. But the Sixers are keeping mum and playing coy about how that decision came to pass.

VJ Edgecombe is already quite familiar with playing inside TD Garden.

And shining in this building.

It is where the Sixers rookie had his historic 34-point NBA debut in October. And where, in Game 2 of this first-round series, he became the youngest player to record 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game. And where he went viral twice — first for diving into the stands (and inadvertently kicking a woman sitting courtside in the face) in a March 1 loss, then for winking at a television camera during his team’s Game 2 victory.

Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe has struggled at times in his team's first-round series against the Boston Celtics, leading to a few moments in Games 3 and 4 where he appeared unsure of himself.

But his temperament was completely different in the following two games, as he hit a few big three-pointers in the Game 5 win and dunked home a behind-the-back pass from Paul George in one of the best sequences of the season.

Edgecombe's opportunities were down but he was also more efficient, scoring 24 points on 8-of-19 shooting combined in Games 5 and 6.

Sixers fans are in high spirits as they enter Game 7 with a chance to defeat their hated rival Boston Celtics in a playoff series for the first time since 1982.

But the events of these current NBA playoffs might have added a little dirt in an old wound.

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to force Game 7 in their first-round series with an RJ Barrett three-pointer that bounced high over the rim and in.

Paul George's age has become a big topic of conversation lately because of the inspired defense he has played against the Boston Celtics' star wing tandem.

George has hounded Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, forcing them into tough shots and finding ways to contest without fouling, which is a challenge in today's NBA.

George has held up his end of the bargain on the other side of the floor as well, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

Joel Embiid is still telling his brain that he “feels amazing” with three games under his belt following his appendectomy about three weeks ago.

It is too simplistic to say the return of the player who accepted his MVP trophy the last time these teams met in the postseason is the sole reason for this series’ shift. But everybody has readjusted to an Embiid-centric playing style, a process All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey acknowledged takes about one game.

The Sixers are using ball movement and pace to generate terrific shots, with role players cutting and spacing the floor and Embiid finding them with his passing when the double-teams arrive. Maxey has resumed his aggression with the ball in his hands, by better processing reads and when to get downhill, shoot, or kick a pass out to the perimeter. That includes directing Embiid, such as when their two-man game should move from the big man receiving the ball in the mid-post to the block.

Joel Embiid's return has turned around the Sixers' playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

It's a dramatic turnaround for both the Sixers and Embiid, whose career has been marred at times by a series of unlucky injuries and ailments, including a broken face and Bell's palsy.

But one fan came up with a theory about why this time might be different, which quickly spread across Philly social media.

The Sixers-Celtics series will end one way or another tonight, with the winner moving on to face the New York Knicks.

If the Sixers win, Game 1 of that series would take place Monday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as the Knicks would have home-court advantage. The start time of the game has yet to be determined.

Here's where things stand elsewhere in the Eastern Conference:

For most, tonight's Kentucky Derby is the main course. But for fans in Philly, it's just the appetizer leading into Game 7 between the Sixers and Boston Celtics.

Tonight's game will air on NBC after the 152nd Run for the Roses, a coveted spot practically guaranteeing a large audience as the Sixers attempt to eliminate the Celtics from the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

With Mike Trico about a 1,000 miles away working the Kentucky Derby, calling Saturday night's game will be Noah Eagle alongside Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford. Zora Stephenson will report from TD Garden.