76ers Edge Celtics In Game 4 Thriller, Series Tied 2-2
76ers Edge Celtics In Game 4 Thriller, Series Tied 2-2...
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 112-109 in a dramatic Game 4 on Monday night, evening their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 34 points and 13 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum's 36-point effort fell short for the Celtics in front of a raucous Wells Fargo Center crowd.
The game swung on a controversial no-call in the final seconds when James Harden appeared to foul Tatum on a potential game-tying three-pointer. Replays showed contact, but officials ruled the play clean, sparking immediate debate across social media and sports networks. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla called it "a tough way to lose" in his postgame press conference.
Philadelphia's victory marks the first time in the series either team has won on the road, setting up a pivotal Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday night. The matchup is trending nationally as fans dissect the officiating controversy and anticipate what's become one of the NBA's most intense playoff rivalries.
Tyrese Maxey provided crucial support for Philadelphia with 24 points, including a clutch three-pointer with 1:53 remaining. Boston's Malcolm Brogdon continued his strong playoff performance off the bench with 20 points, but the Celtics committed 15 turnovers that led to 21 Philadelphia points.
NBA Twitter erupted after the game, with #76ers and #Celtics both trending in the top five U.S. topics. League officials are expected to release their Last Two Minute report on Tuesday, which will include analysis of the disputed no-call. The series now becomes a best-of-three, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.
Ticket prices for Game 5 at TD Garden have surged 40% since Monday's final buzzer according to secondary market data. Both teams face injury concerns, with Embiid playing through knee soreness and Celtics center Robert Williams III limited to just 19 minutes due to his own knee issues.
The intense rivalry dates back to the 1960s but has gained new life in recent years, with these teams meeting in the playoffs for the third time since 2018. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith called it "must-see basketball" during Tuesday's First Take broadcast, reflecting the national interest in the series.
