PHILADELPHIA — With the series locked at 1-1, the Boston CelticsTeam·Boston Celtics grabbed a 54-47 halftime lead over the Philadelphia 76ersTeam·Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff matchup Friday night at Xfinity Mobile ArenaVenue·Xfinity Mobile Arena. The live score reflects Boston's second-quarter surge, where the Celtics outscored Philadelphia 30-22 to flip a slim halftime deficit into momentum on the road.
Jayson TatumPlayer·Jayson Tatum anchored Boston's attack with his signature all-around game, flirting near a triple-double early while navigating Philadelphia's defensive schemes. Jaylen BrownPlayer·Jaylen Brown erupted for key buckets, his aggressive drives testing the 76ers' interior without Joel EmbiidPlayer·Joel Embiid, whose absence due to injury continues to loom large over Philadelphia's postseason hopes. Brown's rim pressure forced rotations, opening catch-and-shoot looks for Boston's supporting cast.
Philadelphia hung tough in the first quarter, leaning on V.J. EdgecombePlayer·V.J. Edgecombe's grit after his Game 2 heroics of 30 points and 10 rebounds despite an early fall. Tyrese MaxeyPlayer·Tyrese Maxey provided the spark with slashing drives and pull-up jumpers, but the 76ers struggled with paint presence sans Embiid, allowing Boston to dominate the glass and limit second-chance points.
The narrative angle sharpened around the Celtics-76ers rivalry, reignited by Philadelphia's 111-97 Game 2 upset where Edgecombe and Maxey combined for 59 points to even the series. Boston, the No. 2 seed at 56-26, entered as 7.5-point road favorites, their Atlantic Division edge over the seventh-seeded 76ers (45-37) underscoring regular-season superiority. Yet Game 2's momentum shift put Philadelphia in position to steal home-court advantage.
No major injuries or ejections altered the flow through halftime, though Embiid's ongoing absence — a critical blow to Philly's frontcourt — amplifies Boston's switchable defense. Tatum's nine assists in Game 2 previewed his playmaking, while Brown's 36 points underscored his closeout prowess. For the 76ers, Edgecombe's resilience and Maxey's speed remain vital, but sustaining paint defense without Embiid tests their depth.
As the series shifts fully to Philadelphia, this Game 3 carries weight: a Boston win reclaims series control and bolsters their path through a loaded East topped by the Detroit Pistons. A 76ers victory flips pressure back on the Celtics, injecting play-in urgency despite their seeding buffer. Halftime paints Boston with the upper hand, but playoff basketball thrives on runs — and Philly's crowd awaits a response.
Celtics players Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Marcus Smart on court. (Sports Press Photo/IMAGO)
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