3 key reasons the Celtics stayed alive in Game 6 against the 76ers

The Celtics were able to win Game 6 over the 76ers as Philadelphia played very poorly on the offensive end in the fourth quarter.

In a very offensively challenged game for both teams, the Celtics beat the 76ers, 95-86, to extend their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

Jayson Tatum couldn’t make shots and missed seven threes but the Celtics started out with a huge lead. In the second quarter, the Sixers cut it down and were able to take the lead late in the third quarter.

The Sixers blew their lead in the fourth quarter and their offense failed horribly. The Celtics got enough buckets to take the lead and never look back.

Key reasons the Celtics beat the 76ers in Game 6

3. Malcolm Brogdon

In a game where the offense did not come through for either team, Brogdon was able to hit 4-of-6 threes for Boston. He finished with 16 points off the bench.

Once again in this series, Brogdon was able to carry the second unit and help the Celtics stay alive.

2. Jaylen Brown 

Jaylen Brown had a very solid game where Tatum really struggled to shoot. He was able to control the offense through a 17-point performance on 46 percent shooting.

Brown produced key stops on defense on the way to forcing a Game 7 for the Celtics.

Marcus Smart was the best defensive player on the floor for Boston in this game but Brown was very solid in this game as well.

1. Marcus Smart 

Smart had his best performance of series so far. He was the Celtics’ leading scorer with 22 points.

On the defensive end, he locked up Harden and company in the fourth quarter in order to prevent the Sixers from coming back late. Addtionally, he ended up with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Philadelphia really blew a chance to head to the Eastern Conference finals in the fourth quarter of this game. The offense completely stalled late and that cost them.

Going back to Boston, one could assume that the Celtics have the edge due to home court and the extreme offensive challenges that the Sixers faced late.