Jayson Tatum’s late 3 lifts Celtics past Joel Embiid, 76ers 110-107

PHILADELPHIA(AP) — Jayson Tatum buried the 3-pointer that put Boston ahead with1.3 seconds left and casually backpedaled on defense before heturned to greet his teammates and — woosh! — a 70-foot shot sailedover his head and into the basket.

Joel Embiidshook his head no. The 76ers’ All-Star center knew his tying,desperation heave was just a tick too late.

Celtics coachJoe Mazzulla needed a second look to know the Celtics were in theclear and he wasn’t positive until “they showed it on theJumbotron.”

Time tocelebrate.

Tatum hit thewinning 3 that capped Boston’s comeback from 15 points down in thethird quarter and he finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and sixassists to help the Celtics hold on for a 110-107 win againstPhiladelphia on Saturday night.

“I dreamabout taking those shots,” Tatum said. “The worst thing that canhappen is you miss.”

He didn’tmiss.

Jayson Tatum for the win. Bang.#PhantomCampic.twitter.com/2B7Ocbg3C8

Jaylen Brownscored 26 points, Derrick White added 18 and Al Horford hit fivegame-changing 3s for 15 points.

“Our guyshave been there,” Mazzulla said. “They’ve been through it all.”

Embiidfinished with 41 points and 12 rebounds. He also made 17 of 18 freethrows. James Harden scored 21 points and Tobias Harris had 19.

The late-gamethriller proved worthy of a showdown between two of the top teamsin the East.

Boston,though, proved it’s still the team to beat.

Updated: Since the NBA started trackingplay-by-play data in 1996, there are 155 players who have attempted25+ FGs to tie or take the lead in the final 24 seconds of the 4thquarter (playoffs included).Jayson Tatum ranks 1st out of 155 with a 51.7% field goalpercentage.

The Sixersdug deep trailing by five with 3 minutes left. With booming “MVP!MVP!” chants filling the arena, Embiid hit two free throws andfollowed with a jumper that pulled the Sixers within one. Embiidthen blocked Brown’s layup and Tyrese Maxey went the other way fora go-ahead driving layup that sent another packed house into afrenzy.

Horford, onceconsidered a key cog in the 76ers’ chase for a championship,instead hit the clutch 3-pointer inside Wells Fargo Center that thecity craved from him in 2019-20. He put the Celtics ahead by twopoints and a bucket by Tatum made it 107-103.

Harden andEmbiid made four straight free throws that tied the game and putevery fan — there was a smattering of green in the stands — onedge.

Tatum,though, calmly hit a 3 to put Boston ahead. Embiid then heaved onefrom inside the opposing 3-point line and it fell through thebasket -- just after the horn.

“I kind ofhad a feeling it wasn’t going to count,” Tatum said. “But it’s theNBA, right? Anything can happen.”

Just not onthis night for the Sixers.

“Unfortunately, story of my life,” Embiid said.

Tatumcelebrated by giving his game-worn jersey to Philadelphia Eaglesstar wide receiver — and noted Celtics fan — DeVonta Smith.

The 76ers hadanother packed house and fans were hyped from pregame warmups for agame with a definitive playoff feel. Both teams came out firing --they each hit four 3s and shot at least 50% in the first quarter.The scoring swings were so one-sided for a stretch that the Celticswent on a 20-4 run and only led 39-32.

The Sixersentered this one with something to prove after a miserable effortin a 106-99 loss earlier this month in Boston. The reigning EasternConference champion Celtics remain the class of the conference. TheSixers are still out to show under coach Doc Rivers they’re morethan a 50-win, second-round exit team. They’re going to need Embiidto lead the way. After a difficult shooting night against Memphison Thursday, Embiid had a game worthy of the “MVP! MVP!” chantsthat serenaded him with each trip to the free-throw line.

He bulliedhis way down the lane for big buckets. Embiid’s three-point playlate in the fourth stretched the lead to 11 and he had an assist onDe’Anthony Melton’s 3-pointer on the next possession.

Horford madethree straight 3s to bring Boston back into the game. Horford’sfourth 3 of the quarter keyed an 18-3 run and helped the Celticslead 80-78 through three.

“It’s notextra motivation,” Horford said of his return. “It’s just fun.Those are the games you want to be a part of.”

TIP-INS

Celtics: Hitfive 3s and shot 52% in the third quarter.

76ers: CDewayne Dedmon sat out with left hip tightness. ... P.J. Tucker’s11 rebounds in the first half were a season high and the first timein 12 seasons he had double-digit boards in a half. He finishedwith 16.

UPNEXT

Celtics: PlayMonday at New York.

76ers: HostMiami on Monday before they open March with a stretch of 12 of 15road games.