Joel Embiid’s Sixers Face Future Defining Game 7 vs. Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Doc Rivers, NBA News
NBA Analysis Network

On Sunday, the Philadelphia 76ers will face off against the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. After failing to close out the series in Game 6 at home on Thursday, the team is at risk of becoming the latest in the NBA to be eliminated despite holding a 3-1 lead.

When it comes to getting things done, the Sixers have the necessary personnel. The Sixers have already achieved two road wins in Boston during the series. The team is confident of doing it for a third time when it matters most.

“We know what we gotta do,” Sixers superstar Joel Embiid said after Game 6. “We’ve gone on the road, and we’ve won. It’s not gonna be easy in that environment, but same thing. Got to start better than we were tonight (Game 6) and everybody has to step up. Starting with me.”

Even though Embiid took responsibility for his part in the loss, the Sixers failed to give him the ball in the final four minutes of regulation. A continued over-reliance on PJ Tucker enabled the Celtics to far more easily overload the strong side with Robert Williams III to neutralize Embiid due to not having to fear the veteran forward’s shooting threat — unlike when Georges Niang was on the floor earlier during the team’s best second-half run.

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The Sixers genuinely unraveled down the stretch, with questionable personnel choices seemingly falling under the radar from analysts. Niang wasn’t on the floor to close the game despite making a pair of pivotal made 3s and coming up with critical defensive plays — helping Philadelphia to manufacture momentum in the third quarter.

The Sixers failed to record a made field goal over the final 6:13 of regulation — scoring only 13 points in the fourth quarter while shooting 5-20 from the floor and 0-5 from 3 in the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum overcame a terrible start by scoring 16 points in the final period, outscoring Philadelphia alone, despite the team’s decision to favor closing the game with Tucker.

“We stopped moving the ball,” Embiid said. “I don’t think I touched the ball the last 4 minutes of the game. Missed a lot of good looks. I didn’t touch the ball, though.”

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When a strong performance was needed to close out a formidable opponent, the Sixers finished Game 6, shooting an atrocious 36.1 percent from the floor and 23.5 percent from beyond the arc. James Harden and Tobias Harris combined for just 15 points on 5-23 shooting overall while missing all seven attempts from 3-point range.

Before Game 7, the Sixers will have two days off to learn from their mistakes. What does the coaching staff view as a mistake, though? Will there be more willingness to play shooting threats down the stretch as opposed to continuing to force Tucker into such an important role? If they fail to do so, it could make coach Doc Rivers the latest high-profile name to be fired.

“Whatever we need to do to get our minds right, we’ll do it,” Sixers superstar James Harden said.

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The Sixers have not fared favorably in the two instances of playing a Game 7 in the Embiid era. Philadelphia was eliminated by the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and the Atlanta Hawks in 2021. Can they finally prove victorious in a Game 7?

“We have an opportunity to go there and close a series out,” Sixers forward Tobias Harris said. “That’s the momentum for us. So it’s just keeping our heads high, staying positive and being ready. That’s what we have to do. We have to adjust. We have to focus and go out there and get a victory.”

There should be substantial pressure on the Sixers to close out the Celtics in Game 7 successfully. James Harden is set to be a free agent this summer and has often been linked to the Houston Rockets. With another early exit, what would inspire him not to depart? If so, can Philadelphia retool around Embiid before dissatisfaction sets in?

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There are far more layers to consider regarding the Sixers’ future in the event of a Game 7 loss. Harris has underachieved but will be on an expiring deal once the new league year begins — can he be traded? Would blowing another 3-1 lead end Rivers’ coaching tenure?

“If I have to go to war, Game 7 in Boston, I would want to go with this group,” Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey said. “I know we’ve got some fighters, I know we’ve got some resilient guys. I’m ready to get it on.”

The Sixers’ most effective way to not face such questions would simply be to achieve a road victory in as high stakes of a game as it gets in a given playoff series: a Game 7.

Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network and a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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