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Embiid's MVP coronation was spoiled as Tatum inspired the Boston Celtics to beat the Philadelphia 76ers.
As the Celtics defeated the 76ers 114-102 early on Saturday, May 6, to grab a 2-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series, Jayson Tatum led six Boston players in double figures with 27 points.
The Celtics, who lost game one in Boston, added 23 points from Jaylen Brown and 17 points from Al Horford to win their second consecutive game and reclaim home-court advantage.
Joel Embiid coronated MVP
On an emotional night in Philadelphia, when Sixers center Joel Embiid received his Most Valuable Player award from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a pregame ceremony.
In his second game back from a sprained knee, Embiid scored 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked four shots.
James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, though, had trouble. Maxey scored 13 points on 4-for-16 shooting while Harden scored 16 points despite connecting on only three of his 14 shots.
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The Celtics got off to a fast start, storming to a 14-4 lead as they prepared for the hostile atmosphere at the Wells Fargo Center.
Tatum, who had only scored seven points in game two, came out swinging, racking up 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, a blocked shot, and scoring 10 points in the opening four minutes.
But the Sixers managed to keep it tight and took a one-point lead into the half. They couldn't keep up the pace.
With 3:51 left, Embiid's tip-in hoop brought Philadelphia within four points, but Horford's three-pointer and Tatum's turnaround basket restored the Celtics' nine-point lead.
Philadelphia supporters soon started leaving the stadium, which was a letdown after the evening started with raucous shouts of "M-V-P" for Cameroon's Embiid, who accepted his trophy with his parents present and addressed the crowd while carrying his young son, Arthur.
The Philadelphia 76ers will now aim to tie the series against the Boston Celtics at home in Game 4.
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