The Philadelphia 76ers wanted Boston. And now, they've got them—right where they want them.
After forcing a decisive Game 7 with a commanding 106-93 victory on Thursday night, the Sixers sent a clear message: be careful what you wish for, Celtics fans. The Philadelphia faithful, who famously chanted "We Want Boston" during the play-in round, saw their team back up that bold talk for the second straight game.
Tyrese Maxey led the charge with 30 points, playing with an aggressive edge that kept Boston's defense on its heels all night. But this wasn't a one-man show. Joel Embiid, playing just his third game back from an appendectomy, looked increasingly comfortable, stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Paul George added 23 points of his own, including a sharp 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The real story, however, was Philadelphia's suffocating perimeter defense. For the second consecutive game, the 76ers locked down Boston's three-point attack, holding the Celtics to just 12-of-41 (29.3%) from deep. In a league where the three-ball can make or break a playoff run, that kind of defensive pressure is championship-caliber.
Boston, meanwhile, looked out of sync. Jayson Tatum managed 17 points and 11 rebounds on efficient shooting, but Jaylen Brown struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-17 from the field. The ball movement that defined Boston's regular-season success has stagnated, and their stars have been unable to exploit mismatches—even when Embiid drops back in coverage. Payton Pritchard provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Philadelphia's momentum.
The game started tight, with Boston taking a 23-20 lead after the first quarter behind Tatum's nine points and nine boards. But the second quarter belonged to Maxey, who erupted for 13 points and pushed the Sixers to a 58-49 halftime lead. From there, Philadelphia never looked back.
Now, it all comes down to Sunday in Boston. The Celtics, who mocked Philadelphia's "We Want Boston" chants after their Game 4 win, will have to face a hungry 76ers team that has found its playoff identity at exactly the right time. Classic playoff basketball—hunting mismatches, locking down on defense, and letting the stars shine when it matters most.
Game 7. Boston. Everything on the line. The basketball gods are watching.