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Celtics Lose Game 5 as Embiid Scores 33, Lead 3-2

4/29/2026

42 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Celtics Stumble

Boston lost 113-97 to Philadelphia in Game 5 at TD Garden, missing their last 16 shots.
The Celtics scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 3-of-22 (13.6 %).
Joel Embiid recorded 33 points and eight assists for the 76ers.
Jaylen Brown added 22 points but missed all six fourth-quarter attempts.
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Boston had turnovers and empty rebounds as they head to Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead.

Summary

Sixers Set Road Record

Philadelphia beat Boston 113–97, setting the record for the biggest road playoff win after trailing entering the fourth quarter (OptaStats).
Boston missed its final 14 shots, creating the longest go-ahead miss streak in a playoff game since 2005 (Elias Sports Bureau).
The Celtics, who are 19–12 at home and 17–7 on the road, have Game 6 start Thursday at 8 p.m. in Philadelphia on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.

History

Historical Context

After the Pistons beat the Heat 106–94 in Game 1 of the 2005 Eastern Conference Finals, Detroit overcame a prolonged go-ahead shooting slump to advance. The win capped a stretch that saw the Pistons post a franchise-best 64-18 record in 2005-06, a period defined by stars like Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace. Such playoff pressure-induced slumps have become a recurring theme in NBA history.

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Celtics Stumble

Boston lost 113-97 to Philadelphia in Game 5 at TD Garden, missing their last 16 shots.
The Celtics scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 3-of-22 (13.6 %).
Joel Embiid recorded 33 points and eight assists for the 76ers.
Jaylen Brown added 22 points but missed all six fourth-quarter attempts.
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Boston had turnovers and empty rebounds as they head to Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead.

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