Stephen Curry held the NBA record for most points scored in a game 7… for about 2 weeks. That record now belongs to Jayson Tatum after he erupted for 51 in TD Garden during the Celtics’ blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Although the game ended in a 24-point Celtics victory, Boston only lead by 3 points heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Celtics began an avalanche of scoring, winning the quarter by 23 points to extend the lead to 88-62. Tatum had his best quarter of the game, scoring 17 of his 51 points including some ridiculous side-step 3-pointers out of the pick-and-roll as well as isolation. Jaylen Brown added 25 points of his own, and Al Horford played unbelievable individual defense against recently anointed MVP Joel Embiid. Boston’s defense was terrific all night long, highlighted by containing the Sixers to just 10 points in the 3rd quarter which proved to be the turning point of the game.
The Celtics go on to face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 1 beginning on Wednesday, May 17th at 8:30 pm EST in TD Garden. As for Philly, many questions loom for them this offseason. James Harden has a player option on his contract, and many fans are left wondering how the rest of the roster will look heading into next season. The Sixers finished 3rd in the East this season, but have failed to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the 22nd straight season.