Why is 76ers vs Celtics game 7 played in Boston?
The Sixers are one game away from making it to the eastern conference finals once again if they beat the Celtics in game seven of the series playoffs.
Following the Celtics’ victory in Game 6, Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey expressed a similar sentiment, acknowledging that Game 7 on the road would be challenging.
The Sixers had a couple of significant advantages in their last game. First, they were playing on their home court and had the luxury of being able to afford a loss if things didn’t go their way. The Sixers are on a tighter situation now.
If they win, Philadelphia will make it to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001.
Jayson Tatum is the 5th player in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to record 25+ points in the first half of a Game 7, joining:
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 14, 2023
Luka Doncic: 29 points (2021)
Luka Doncic: 27 points (2022)
Paul Pierce: 26 points (2008)
LeBron James: 26 points (2018)
Jamal Murray: 25 points… pic.twitter.com/Ee0qYriCpf
But why is game 7 being played in Boston?
The playoffs are set up based on how high their seed is before the postseason starts. In this case, the Celtics finished 2nd seed in the eastern conference, while the 76ers finished 3rd. This determined that the games would finish in Boston if they ever reached the seven game.
Before game seven, MVP hopeful Joel Embiid said, “We’ve gone on the road, and we’ve won. It’s not going to be easy in another environment but same thing. Got to start better than we were tonight, and everybody has to step up — starting with me. I guess I got to be more aggressive as far as shooting and getting my teammates open looks. Everybody else has to do their job and show up. It’s going to be fun. Game 7, that’s what you play for, those types of games.”