NBA semifinal: Joel Embiid, Sixers overpower Celtics in Game 5

Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia, which leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. The 76ers can wrap up the series on Thursday when Game 6 will be played in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart during the second half of Game 5 in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series on May 9, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP

Joel Embiid scored 33 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 115-103 road victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday night.

Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia, which leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. The 76ers can wrap up the series on Thursday when Game 6 will be played in Philadelphia.

The 76ers received 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds from James Harden, while Tobias Harris contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 36 points and 10 rebounds. Jaylen Brown (24 points) and Marcus Smart (14) were the only other Celtics who scored in double figures.

The 76ers never trailed after the first quarter, and the lead never dipped below nine in the second half.

Boston was within 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia went up 98-81 on an Embiid 3-pointer with 8:33 to play. The 76ers took a 113-92 lead -- their largest advantage of the series -- on a Maxey 3-pointer with 3:57 remaining.

Boston’s Al Horford missed each of his seven 3-point attempts and did not score in the game.

Philadelphia had a 49-36 edge in rebounds, and Boston shot 39.8 per cent from the field (33 of 83). The 76ers hit 50.6 percent (40 of 79) of its shots.

Philadelphia led 33-26 after one quarter, then opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run. The Celtics closed the half with an 8-3 spurt but trailed 58-49 entering the third quarter.

Embiid had 21 points and five rebounds in the first half. Tatum missed his first six shots on the night but had 15 points at the break.

The 76ers stretched its nine-point halftime lead to 18 points on two Harden free throws with 2:44 left in the third, then went up by 19 on a Maxey layup with 29 seconds left in the period. Boston trailed 88-72 with 12 minutes to play.

The Celtics took its third loss in six home playoff games this season. The 76ers improved to 4-1 on the road in the post season.