After dropping a heartbreaker in Game 4 in Philadelphia, the Celtics returned home to face the 76ers in Game 5 on Tuesday looking to regain control of the series in front of their home fans. Instead, they find themselves in their time on the edge.
The Sixers went to TD Garden and immediately took control of the game, leading by as many as 21 points en route to a 115-103 victory. Boston never led beyond the opening minutes of the game, and put together a disappointing performance with the team one game away from elimination.
The Celtics shot just 39.8% from the field while allowing Philadelphia to shoot 50.6%. The Sixers topped Boston, 49-36, where Joel Embiid finished with 33 points and Tyrese Maxey scored 30. Jayson Tatum showed a strong performance, with 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, even while the rest of the team is often ineffective.
Unsurprisingly, NBA Twitter followers had plenty to say about what they saw from the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Check out the most popular reactions below.
If I had a wish, it would be the hood version of ESPN’s Perk because if I could say what I really wanted to say about these Celtics I would be fired for my day off!
– Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 10, 2023
Joe Mazzulla was not ready for this episode. Losing Ime Udoka and Will Hardy may be something the Celtics never recover from.
– Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 10, 2023
Joe Mazzulla enters the Celtics facility for year 2 as head coach.pic.twitter.com/1V8ddLdJsG
– Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) May 10, 2023
Celtics fans are rocking 😬 pic.twitter.com/LLqLVFrLHC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2023
How the Sixers beat the Celtics in game 5 pic.twitter.com/Olgn07rOnH
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 10, 2023
Celtics down 14 at home? pic.twitter.com/rGrpqtj7X1
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 10, 2023
Celtics the last two years pic.twitter.com/hTDPlICpqO
— Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo) May 10, 2023
Celtics fans groaned. 😳
– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 10, 2023
Well, it bears repeating:
The Celtics were in the same spot a year ago. They won on the road and then lost Game 7 at home.
But it doesn’t feel the same. It is felt that this group is past its expiration date as a collective.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 10, 2023
"There is zero resistance." @EddieHouse_50 & @Scalabrine reaction to the Celtics’ brutal loss to the Sixers pic.twitter.com/rTeNxmUjBK
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 10, 2023
