Joel Embiid, 76s knock out second-seeded Celtics

Joel Embiid had 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists and Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-100 victory over the host Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series Saturday night. The 76ers won the final three games in the series. It was the first time in franchise history that Philadelphia has overcome a 3-1 series deficit.

Second-seeded Boston trailed 99-98 following two Neemias Queta free throws, but Maxey scored the next eight points to put Philadelphia up 107-98 with 15 seconds left. Seventh-seeded Philadelphia received 23 points from rookie VJ Edgecombe. Paul George added 13.

The 76ers' bench totaled three points, all by Quentin Grimes. Boston's Jayson Tatum was ruled out of the game because of stiffness in his left knee. He left Game 6 with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter with a left leg injury.

Tatum averaged 23. 3 points and 10. 7 rebounds per contest in six playoff games this season.