Celtics vs. 76ers score: Jayson Tatum lifts Boston to Game 7 blowout; Joel Embiid, James Harden disappoint

The Celtics used a dominant third quarter to run away from the 76ers in Sunday's Game 7

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics crushed the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of their second-round series on Sunday afternoon, 112-88, to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season. Meanwhile, the 76ers -- who have not been to the conference finals since 2001 -- see their season come to an end in the second round for the third consecutive year. The Celtics have now bested the Sixers in six straight playoff series dating back to 1985. 

Tatum carried over the momentum from his strong fourth quarter in Game 6 and put together an absolutely dominant performance in the closeout game. The Celtics star forward scored 51 points -- besting Stephen Curry's recent NBA record for most points ever in a Game 7 -- on 17-of-28 shooting from the floor. He also added 13 rebounds and five assists to his stat line. With Tatum singlehandedly shouldering so much of the scoring, the Celtics didn't need too much point production from the rest of the roster, but Jaylen Brown contributed 25 points, six rebounds and two assists in the win, and Boston out-scored Philly 33-10 in the third quarter to blow the game wide open.

While Boston's stars showed up, Philadelphia's simply didn't, and that was the difference in the game. James Harden had an incredibly poor performance, and NBA MVP Joel Embiid wasn't much better. Harden mustered just nine points, seven assists, six rebounds and five turnovers while shooting 3 of 11 from the floor. Embiid shot just 5 of 18 and totaled 15 points and eight rebounds. When your two best players combine for 24 points, you're not going to win too many games, especially in the playoffs.

The Sixers now enter into what promises to be an eventful offseason, while the Celtics will move on to face off against the Miami Heat in the conference finals. These two teams also met in the conference finals last season, and in the Orlando Bubble in 2020, so they're certainly familiar with each other.

Boston won't have long to bask in its victory over Philadelphia, as that series is set to start on Wednesday. Before moving on to that series though, here's a look at three key takeaways from Boston's dominant win. 

1. History for Tatum

Jayson Tatum had an inconsistent series against the Sixers, but when it mattered most, he absolutely delivered. Tatum propelled the Celtics to victory in Game 6 with his clutch shooting down the stretch, and he completely buried Philadelphia from the opening tip on Sunday. It was clear that he was determined to atone for some of his pervious struggles in the series, and he did exactly that. He had 25 points by halftime, and he finished with a record-setting 51 points. He rose to the moment, and his performance is one that will be remembered for quite some time.

Following Game 6, Tatum said that he was "humbly, one of the best basketball players in the world." After his performance in Game 7, no one is going to disagree with him. 

2. Harden and Embiid didn't show up

In the preview for Game 7, this is what I wrote as the main key for Philadelphia heading into the contest:

This closeout game will be all about star power for Philadelphia. The Sixers need their two stars -- Joel Embiid and James Harden -- to show up in a big way if they're going to secure their first conference finals berth since 2001. Embiid has been solid in the series, but he went nearly the final four minutes of Game 6 without taking a shot while the contest slipped away from Philly. That simply can't happen. The big man needs to be assertive and dominant from the opening tip. If he can consistently put pressure on Boston's defense, get them in foul trouble and generate open opportunities for his teammates, the Sixers should have a real chance to walk away with a win.

To say that didn't happen would be an understatement. Embiid and Harden both turned in complete duds, and their lack of productive was the main reason the Sixers aren't advancing.

Harden looked like a shell of his former self in this game, and Embiid again shrunk from the moment in an important playoff game. He was completely outplayed by Tatum, and as a result the inability to lead his team deep into the playoffs is something that will continue to haunt Embiid, and rightfully so. The team has shuffled through teammates for Embiid, and he has played under two coaches, but the results remain the same. At some point, you have to look at the star player who has been the common denominator throughout all the recent postseason defeats. Harden has a long-established reputation for underperforming in the playoffs, and unfortunately Embiid is joining him on that list. This is not a loss that is going to be received well in Philadelphia, and it could lead to some changes for the Sixers. 

3. Lingering questions for Philly 

Another second round exit for Philadelphia means another offseason with a lot of questions that need to be answered. Will James Harden be back? Will Doc Rivers be back? Will Tyrese Maxey get an extension? These are all things that the team will have to figure out over the summer. Those questions would have been a lot easier to answer if the team had won this game, but offseason changes have become almost as common in Philly as second-round exits (too soon?). 

So the organization again has to figure out the best path forward. Is running is back with the same squad the best option? Will that even be an option, or will Harden bolt for Houston, or elsewhere? The coming months will provide answers, but the way that this season ended certainly has to leave a really sour taste in the mouths of Philadelphia's front office and ownership. 

[May 14, 2023 at 6:05 pm ET · Michael Kaskey-Blomain]

And that's a wrap. Celtics win 112-88. They're going back to the Eastern Conference finals. 

[May 14, 2023 at 6:00 pm ET · Michael Kaskey-Blomain]

It's fair to wonder if this was James Harden's last game in a 76ers uniform.