Boston Spoils Joel Embiid’s Playoff Return As Celtics Rout Sixers in Game 2

• The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2
• The Celtics led by as many as 36 points in the fourth quarter
• Jaylen Brown and Malcolm Brogdon starred in the Game 2 win  

The Boston Celtics evened their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers at one game apiece, after recording an emphatic 121-87 win on Wednesday night.

Jaylen Brown starred for the Celtics, who spoiled the return of newly-minted league MVP, Joel Embiid.

Action shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday night.

Brown and Brogdon lead Celtics 

Brown scored 25 points, dished out four assists, grabbed three rebounds, and recorded two steals in the win against the Sixers. He shot 9 of 17 from the field, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.

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Derrick White and Marcus Smart were the other starters to score in double figures for the Celtics, each dropping 15 points.

Malcolm Brogdon and Grant Williams provided the firepower off the bench, scoring 23 and 12 points, respectively. Brogdon was red-hot from deep, knocking down six of Boston’s 20 3-pointers in Game 2, per ESPN.

Celtics unleash third-quarter run 

The Celtics pulled away in the third quarter of Game 2, outscoring the Sixers 35-16. They finished the quarter on a 19-5 run to build a 92-65 lead entering the fourth.

Boston continued their dominance in the final quarter, extending their advantage to 36 points at one stage.

It was the Celtics' defense that proved to be the difference in this contest. They managed to limit the Sixers’ outside shooting after Philadelphia drained 17 3-pointers in the series opener.

Sixers struggle with outside shots

The 76ers shot just 6 of 30 from beyond the arc in Game 2. James Harden, who matched his playoff career high with 45 points in Game 1, struggled with his shooting stroke in Game 2.

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He shot 2 of 14 from the field in Wednesday’s contest, including 0 for 6 from the 3-point area. Harden finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Embiid, who missed Game 1 due to a sprained right knee, had 15 points, five blocks, and three rebounds in his return from injury.

Harden, Sixers take Game 1

Sports Brief recently reported on the Sixers' win over the Celtics in Game 1.

Harden knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.4 seconds on the clock.

He shot 17 of 30 from the field in Game 1 as Philadelphia earned a shock win.