Harden scores 45, hits late 3 as 76ers down Celtics 119-115

BOSTON (AP)— James Harden was asked for most of this season to be afacilitator for a 76ers team built around big man Joel Embiid.

With theMVP finalist sidelined for the opener of his team’s second-roundplayoff series with the Celtics, Philadelphia called on a vintageversion of Harden.

He happilyobliged.

Hardenmatched his playoff career high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead,step-back 3-pointer over Al Horford with 8.7 seconds left as the76ers rallied without Embiid to beat Boston 119-115 in Game 1 ofthe Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night.

“We didn’tcome into the game expecting to lose. We came in here to win,”Harden said. “Whether Jo comes back or not, we’re going to be readyto go.”

TyreseMaxey added 26 points and Tobias Harris finished with 18 for theSixers, who made 17 3-pointers with Embiid watching from the bench.He sprained his right knee in Game 3 of Philadelphia’s first-roundsweep of the Brooklyn Nets.

After theSixers endured an early scoring onslaught from the Celtics, 76erscoach Doc Rivers said Harden was patient and knew when to attackand when to pass.

Rivers saidhaving a week to prepare for the likelihood Embiid would be out waskey.

“That’s thedifference between this year’s team and last year’s team. We have abunch of street fighters,” Rivers said. “If we could get to thefourth quarter, we were going to win the game. That’s how wefelt.”

JaysonTatum led the Celtics with 39 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brownadded 23 points and Malcolm Brogdon finished with 20.

“They hitbig shots and I think they were just in a rhythm throughout thewhole game,” Tatum said.

Bostonhosts Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Hardenpreviously scored 45 points for the Houston Rockets in a WesternConference Finals win over Golden State on May 25, 2015.

Trailing117-115, the Celtics had one final chance and got the ball toTatum, but he lost the ball to Paul Reed, who was fouled and hit apair of free throws.

The gamewas tied at 87-all entering the back-and-forth final period.

Tatum gavethe Celtics their final lead, 115-114, on a pair of free throwswith 26.1 seconds left.

Beforethat, Boston took the shot clock down before Maxey intercepted apass by Brogdon and drove in for a layup to put the 76ers in front,114-113.

“I wasabout to pick the ball up, but I’m glad I kept running,” Maxeysaid.

Boston led108-107 when Harden was called for an offensive foul on Horford. Onthe ensuing possession, Horford found Marcus Smart, who was fouledon a layup. He completed the three-point play to make it111-107.

Maxeyresponded with a three-point play of his own.

The gamewas knotted at 102 when Brogdon got free on a fast break, took apass from Tatum and dropped in a layup with 5:04 remaining.

After theplay, P.J. Tucker appeared to swing wildly in frustration and madecontact with Tatum. It led to a brief scrum that was broken up byofficials.

Reed tookEmbiid’s place in the starting lineup, like he did with Embiid outfor the final game of the Nets series. As expected, Embiid’sabsence in the middle contributed to a faster pace.

Both teamsused it to their advantage.

The Celticsattacked the paint, connecting on 13 of their first 14 shots. The76ers made eight of their first 10 attempts, spacing the floor andspreading out Boston’s defense.

Harden ledthe attack early for Philadelphia, hitting his first five attempts,including two 3s. Brown started 6 for 6 from the field for a Bostonteam that thrived without Embiid protecting the rim, going on an11-0 run at one point.

Boston shot74% for the half but took only a 66-63 lead into halftime after the76ers went 11 for 19 (55%) from the 3-point line.

“It was adogfight,” Maxey said. “Everybody that stepped on the court for uswas a fighter and we came out on top.”

TIP-INS

76ers:De’Anthony Melton had 17 first-half points, making each of his five3-point attempts. According to Stathead, he joins Maxey (May 6,2022 vs. Miami) as the only 76ers to make at least five 3s withouta miss in a playoff half, since at least the 1997 playoffs. Meltonwas scoreless in the second half, however. ... Harden scored 16points on 7-of-10 shooting in the first quarter.

Celtics:Brown scored 14 points in the first quarter and had Tatum 20 pointsin the second, his highest total in a quarter of a playoff game.... Boston shot 85% (17 of 20) in the first quarter, outscoring the76ers 26-8 in the paint.