With Joel Embiid sidelined and the Boston Celtics feasting early, the Philadelphia 76ers looked in trouble early on Monday.
But an MVP revival from James Harden and a late Celtics gaffe saw the 76ers escape with a 119-115 Game 1 win in the Eastern Conference semifinal with their MVP finalist in street clothes. Harden scored 45 including the go-ahead 3-pointer in the game's final seconds as Philadelphia overcome a porous effort on defense with Embiid on the bench with a knee injury.