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Celtics down Sixers in Game 3 as James Harden’s epic struggles continue
Celtics down Sixers in Game 3 as James Harden's epic struggles continue,After tallying 45 points on 56.7 percent shooting in Philly's Game 1 victory without star Joel Embiid, Harden has gone cold in Games 2 and 3.

Celtics down Sixers in Game 3 as James Harden’s epic struggles continue

James Harden was the hero in Game 1, but over the last two contests, the point guard has been one of the main reasons the Philadelphia 76ers now trail the Boston Celtics 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. 

On Friday, Harden was abysmal in the Sixers’ 114-102 loss to the Celtics, shooting 3-of-14 from the field and 2-of-7 from three-point range to finish with only 16 points. 

Doris Burke and Mark Jones can’t believe how bad James Harden looks in Game 3. pic.twitter.com/6zGKwf38m5

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 6, 2023

After tallying 45 points on 56.7 percent shooting in Philly’s Game 1 victory without star Joel Embiid, Harden has gone cold in Games 2 and 3. 

Since opening the series against the Celtics with a bang, Harden has shot only 5-of-28 from the floor and 2-of-13 from three over the last two games, both Sixers losses. According to ESPN Stats and Info, this is the worst two-game stretch of Harden’s career in contests where he attempted at least 20 field goals. 

Harden wasn’t alone in his struggles, however. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris combined to shoot 31.8 percent from the field for 20 points in Game 2. Meanwhile, the newly crowned league MVP, Embiid, looked much more spry in his second game returning from a sprained knee, dropping 30 points with 13 boards and three assists. 

Ultimately, Harden and company’s lackluster shooting, paired with big games from Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, did the Sixers in. 

Tatum finished with a team-high 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Brown added 23, seven and five in the Celtics’ victory. 

Jayson Tatum helps lead the @celtics to a Game 3 win to secure a 2-1 series lead!27 PTS | 10 REB | 5 ASTBOS/PHI Game 4: Sun, 3:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/rEZNv3IjRd

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2023

Along with Tatum and Brown, four other Celtics finished in double figures, including Al Horford (17), Marcus Smart (15), Malcolm Brogdon (15) and Derrick White (13). 

Boston now takes a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics will take on the Sixers for Game 4 Sunday in Philly at 3:30 p.m. ET.