Jayson Tatum helps Celtics force Game 7 against 76ers

close

Video

Fox News Flash top sports headlines for May 11

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Jayson Tatum missed his first six 3-pointers before he drilled two straight clutch ones late in the game that pushed the Celtics past the Philadelphia 76ers 95-86 on Thursday night to send the Eastern Conference semifinals back to Boston for Game 7.

The defending conference champs are in familiar territory. Boston trailed 3-2 last season in the second round against Milwaukee before it won Game 6 on the road and the clincher at home.

Game 7 is Sunday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket between Philadelphia 76ers' Tobias Harris (12) and Tyrese Maxey during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal, Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Philadelphia.  (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Tatum, who averaged 30.1 points in the regular season, never stopped shooting even as the misses kept coming. He missed 14 of his first 15 shots overall from the floor and his ineffectiveness was a key reason the Celtics couldn’t hold a 16-point lead.

With a shot at their first conference final since 2001 at stake, the Sixers slogged through the first half before Joel Embiid flashed his MVP form and rallied the Sixers to a fourth-quarter lead.

Tyrese Maxey hit two free throws with 5:25 left for an 83-81 edge.

And that was it for Philly.

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid reacts after a foul against teammate Tyrese Maxey during the second half of Game 6 of the team's NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Philadelphia.  (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

LAKERS’ LEBRON JAMES RESPONDS TO STEVE KERR’S FLOPPING COMMENTS: ‘THAT’S JUST NOT US’

Tatum buried one 3 for the 84-83 lead and a second that made it 87-83 and put the Celtics in firm control of Game 6.

Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 26 points for the 76ers.

76ers coach Doc Rivers has blown three 3-1 series leads over his playoff career. While the 76ers never got that far ahead, this is their second loss at home in the series and they seemingly had seized momentum in the fourth quarter.

Tatum instead stuck it to the 76ers with one final 3-point dagger for a 95-84 lead.

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum gestures after scoring during the second half of Game 6 of the team's NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Philadelphia.  (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Tatum missed all 10 shots, including five 3-point attempts, in the first half as the Celtics led by seven. Tatum has said he may need surgery on his left wrist in the offseason in the wake of a hard fall. Whatever the cause of his shooting ails, he found the cure in the final 12 minutes and the East champs still have life.