The Sixers came out strong, with players like Tyrese Maxey displaying great energy on the defensive end. However, the Celtics managed to stay in the game by taking advantage of their speed and converting easy buckets in transition. The Sixers also made self-inflicted mistakes, such as missed assignments and blown coverages, allowing the Celtics to hang around.

In the fourth quarter, the Sixers' offense started to falter, only scoring 15 points in the final 12 minutes. Embiid, who played 41 minutes in regulation on short rest, appeared fatigued and failed to deliver in the clutch. Boston's first lead came on a driving dunk by Al Horford, who also blocked Embiid's shot three times in the last eight minutes, reminiscent of Embiid's struggles in 2018.

Embiid admitted his poor performance, saying, "I was terrible tonight. I gotta be better, I will be better." His lack of production during crunch time was disappointing for the Sixers, who rely heavily on him for scoring, rebounding, and defense.

Despite Embiid's struggles, the Sixers managed to pull off a thrilling 116-115 overtime victory, thanks to James Harden's outstanding performance. Harden scored 42 points on 16-of-23 shooting from the field, along with nine assists, eight rebounds, and four steals. His variability on a game-to-game basis highlighted the importance of having multiple players who can step up when needed.

While the Sixers were relieved to win, they cannot rely solely on Harden to carry them through the playoffs. Embiid, as the backbone of the team, needs to step up and play like the MVP that he is. As the series heads back to Boston tied at 2-2, the Sixers and their fans will be hoping that Embiid can put his poor performance behind him and lead his team to victory.