Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe take turns dominating and more from Sixers’ Game 2 win to even series with Celtics

Tyrese Maxey made it clear that he would take whatever shots the Boston Celtics would allow him to take. That was never truer than the final moments of the 76ers’ 111-97 Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden to tie the first-round series at 1-1.

Maxey, who finished the night with 29 points, closed out the Sixers’ improbable win with poise, knocking down three critical three-pointers in the fourth quarter that added enough separation as the Celtics cleared their bench with 1 minute, 52 seconds left.

If Maxey owned the second half, VJ Edgecombe owned the first. The rookie scored 20 points in the first half and helped the Sixers come back from an early deficit. He finished with 30 points in his second NBA playoff game.

» READ MORE: Sixers-Celtics: VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey combine for 59 points as Philly evens series; Joel Embiid status update

That the Sixers stole a game in Boston is no small feat. After their 123-91 loss in Game 1, this series felt like an open-and-shut case. But this performance provides at least a glimmer of hope in Philly.

Another reason for the Sixers to have faith is the performance of their role players. Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond, Justin Edwards and Kelly Oubre Jr., all showed up after dreadful performances in the series opener. And they’re bound to play better on their home court.

That said, here are two other things we learned about the Sixers in their win.

The Sixers have depended on Edgecombe all season. With Joel Embiid and Paul George out of the lineup for injury and suspension, respectively, Edgecombe has served as the second in command behind Maxey despite being a rookie.

But after his Game 1 performance — 13 points on 6-of-16 shooting — many wondered if he regressed back to the rookie mean. But this is the player who set a franchise record against these very Celtics in his NBA debut.

He quieted the noise with his Game 2 performance. And he did it at all levels, scoring his first bucket on a streaking transition layup and hitting a jump shot from the elbow. Then he opened things up, knocking down 4 of 6 three-pointers. He shot 8-for-13 in the half and added seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

» READ MORE: VJ Edgecombe has one for the history books and the Sixers somehow stymie Boston in Game 2

Edgecombe kept things simple and that helped spark his performance. That much was clear in his halftime interview.

“I mean, they’re giving me open shots and I’m shooting them,” Edgecombe said. “That’s what we talked after the first game, not shooting the open ones. So tonight, I’m just shooting every shot that I think is open and available and the best shot.”

His brilliance didn’t end there. Even after Edgecombe suffered an apparent leg injury and went in and out of the locker room, he still made his presence felt in the game. Edgecombe’s scoring was complimented by heady play and tough defense, including a steal with 4:51 remaining that led to a Drummond bucket and a quick Oubre three to push their advantage to 102-89. Edgecombe made another big three-pointer of his own and the Sixers cruised from there.

Jaylen Brown drove toward the lane and rose for a mid-range shot. As Oubre leaned in to help off on the shot, Brown changed his mind and found Jayson Tatum for an open three-pointer for the game’s first points. It looked like it might be one of those night’s once again for the Sixers.

But they tightened up from there. This wasn’t Sunday’s Sixers, who let the Celtics live in the lane and produce offense at will. Of course, Boston’s stars still found ways to score. One great example of the Sixers’ renewed effort also came in the first quarter when Maxey hounded Brown on the perimeter in an effort to thwart any outside shot. Brown accepted the contact, drove through the lane and placed a highlight dunk over Adem Bona. Stars will be stars. And Brown definitely was. He scored 36 points on 11-of-24 shooting in the lose, while Tatum added 19.

But the defensive effort persisted, and the Sixers provided that in droves. The numbers supported the eye test. In Game 1, the Sixers had only one blocked shot and three steals, and they force just eight Boston turnovers. Those were all up slightly in Game 2, with the Sixers posting four blocks and six steals. Boston was still stout with only 11 turnovers.

The Sixers’ effort made the win possible, as every shot was contested and every drive featured contact. Fouls were made meaningfully rather than out of desperation after a blown assignment or miscommunication.