<\/p>\n
The Boston Celtics have sensationally been eliminated from the NBA playoffs as the Philadelphia 76ers claimed a victory in 109-100 game seven of their Eastern Conference series. <\/p>\n
The second seed Celtics had home court advantage for the decider, but were unable to turn the tide created by the 76ers in their previous outings.<\/p>\n
\ufeffWatch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.| New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Boston led the series 3-1 before Philadelphia stormed back to win three games in a row to book a second round date with the New York Knicks. <\/p>\n It is the first time in franchise history that the 76ers have come from 3-1 down to win a playoff series.<\/p>\n It was the ninth time that the two rivals have faced off in a game seven, but it was also the first time in 44 years that Philadelphia have beaten Boston in a head-to-head playoff series.<\/p>\n In the Eastern Conference, it is also the first time since the first round expanded to best-of-seven in 2003 that a seventh seed has toppled a second seed.<\/p>\n The Celtics threatened to pull off a mighty comeback, edging within one basket of Philadelphia in the dying minutes after trailing by 13 at the start of the final quarter.<\/p>\n But the 76ers steadied to late to progress despite an injury concern to star big man Joel Embiid – who finally snapped his own game seven hoodoo.<\/p>\n The Celtics going two of 11 from three point range in the final term also gave the visitors a significant boost.<\/p>\n While the hosts\u2019 ultimately were unable to recover from the pre-game blow of Jayson Tatum being ruled out with a leg injury.<\/p>\n Embiid was immense with a game high 34 points and 12 rebounds as well as six assists.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was about playing hard,\u201d he said post-game. \u201cI told these guys before the game, especially when we hard the news (of Tatum\u2019s injury), same energy, same intensity.\u201d <\/p>\n Embiid, who has previously lost three playoff series against the Celtics, added: \u201cWoah, that\u2019s a tough task (to come from 3-1 down) but I\u2019ve always believed in these guys.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially this team. Obviously all year long we weren\u2019t at our best, but I still feel like we\u2019re not even close.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m getting back to myself. Everybody in this locker room is locked in. All focused on the same goal.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s hard. The guys that have done it before, I can understand how hard it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Embiid underwent surgery last month to remove his appendix and his teammate Tyrese Maxey was full of praise post-game.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means everything. For him to do that for us, all we can do is appreciate it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been doing it all year, all his career, really. The city of Philadelphia should really, really not take him for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffPlayoffs chaos after 74-year low in \u2018horrific\u2019 NBA collapse, OT miracle and big LeBron GOAT call<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Thrown a grenade\u2019: Aussie NBA star\u2019s perfect answer goes viral<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n