In a game that featured a strong showing from James Harden and a wild comeback from Jayson Tatum, the wildest part of Boston's 116-115 loss was who took the final shot for the Celtics — both at the end of regulation and in OT.
Harden nailed the game-winner for the 76ers after tying the game to force OT in the fourth. But with a chance to win in regulation, Marcus Smart took the final shot for Boston. He was also the one with the ball in his hands to close out OT — he made the shot, but he was given the ball with too little time on the clock.
Smart did finish with 21 points and go 4-for-10 from deep, but he certainly isn't the person who should be taking the final shot for the Celtics — never mind doing so twice in the same game. Tatum can take some blame for that — although did make an effort to get to the rim in the final OT possession — but Joe Mazzulla should've taken control of the situation.
Instead, Boston's head coach didn't call a timeout in the final possession and the worst-case scenario ensued.
Similar to Game 1, Harden scored 42 points on 16-for-23 shooting (6-for-9 from three). Philly's No. 2 also had nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals.
After a 1-for-9 first half, Tatum finished with 24 points on 9-for-20 shooting. He also had 18 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots. Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and shot 62.5%. Malcolm Brogdon had 19 points off the bench, and Al Horford had 10 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.
Embiid had an up-and-down game, but he ultimately finished with 34 points and made 12 of 15 free throws.
The series returns to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
