James Harden turned back the clock on Monday night and helped pull off a shocking Game 1 win over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 119-115.
Harden complied with 12 seconds remaining in the game.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) tries to steal from Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of Game 1 in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series, on Monday, May 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
He got the ball in his hands one less point and set up a play where he would have Celtics center Al Horford guarding him. Harden dribbled to the center of the three-point arc and buried a shot right into the big man’s face to go up two points. Paul Reed would hit two more free kicks to seal the game moments later.
Harden finished with 45 points on 17-for-30 shooting with six assists and two steals. He and the 76ers took the lead in the series without Joel Embiid, who is dealing with a right knee injury.
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Tyrese Maxey had 26 points, four steals and two assists. Reed added 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) shoots at Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon, right, during the first half of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in the NBA, on Monday, May 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston and its fans were stunned once the final buzzer rang.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 39 points on 14-for-25 shooting in 44 minutes. He also had 11 rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart had 12 points, seven assists and three rebounds while Horford had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Boston shot better than Philly: 58.7% from the field compared to 50.6% for the 76ers. The Celtics also outrebounded the 76ers 38-28. However, the 76ers shot 44.7% from three-point range. Boston was only 38.5%.
The Celtics are the defending champions of the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and center Al Horford, right, walk off the court following a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in the NBA, on Monday, May 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Boston.