James Harden was the hero in game one, but over the last two games, the rule was one of the main reasons the Philadelphia 76ers trailed the Boston Celtics 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
On Friday, Harden was dismal in the Sixers’ 114-102 loss to the Celtics, shooting 3-of-14 from the field and 2-of-7 from three-point range to finish with just 16 points.
After scoring 45 points on 56.7% shooting in Philly’s Game 1 victory without superstar Joel Embiid, Harden got cold feet in Games 2 and 3.
Since opening the series against the Celtics with a bang, Harden has shot just 5-of-28 from the floor and 2-of-13 from three over the last two games, both of which were losses. according to ESPN stats and infoThis was the worst two-game stretch of Harden’s career in drafts where he attempted at least 20 field goals.
Harden was not alone in his struggles. Therese Maxi and Tobias Harris combined to shoot 31.8 percent from the field for 20 points in Game 2. Meanwhile, newly-crowned league MVP Embiid looked more energized in his second game after coming back from a sprained knee, dropping 30 points with 13 boards. and three assists.
In the end, Harden and the company’s lackluster shooting, paired with big games from Celtics stars Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown, made the Sixers work.
Tatum finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Brown added 23, seven and five in the Celtics victory.
Along with Tatum and Brown, four other Celtics players have finished with double figures, including Al Horford (17), Marcus Smart (15), Malcolm Brogdon (15) and Derrick White (13).
Boston now holds a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics will meet the Sixers for Game 4 Sunday in Philly at 3:30 PM ET.