"Maybe he’s him" - Sixers fans in awe of James Harden who explodes for 45 in Game 1 against the Celtics

Without the injured Joel Embiid, James Harden carried the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics. Philly played the reigning Eastern Conference champs minus their MVP candidate superstar due to a sprained right knee.

76ers fans quickly commented on the former MVP's big night:

"maybe he’s him"

Harden has taken on a lesser role with the 76ers due to Embiid. But without "The Process" dominating the middle, Philly needed "The Beard" to be more aggressive with his shots.

The Philadelphia 76ers got the Houston Rockets version of James Harden and stunned the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their conference semi-finals matchup. Haraden's patented step-back jumper gave the 76ers a 117-115 lead with 8.7 seconds left in the game.

James Harden finished with 45 points on 17-30 shooting, including 7-14 from behind the arc. 76ers coach Doc Rivers urged him before the game to do what was necessary to win them the game.

Harden obliged and exploded for the most points he has scored in the postseason. His total matched the output he put up against the Golden State Warriors on May 25, 2015.

Right off the bat, Harden showed that he would hunt more for his shots with Embiid sidelined. He scored 16 points in the first 12 minutes of the game, hitting 7-10 shots. Harden also had four assists in the said period.

"The Beard" averaged just 17.3 points in Philly's first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets. Harden's 45 was the most he has scored for the 76ers in his two-year stint with the team.

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The Philadelphia 76ers will need James Harden to sustain his sizzling form

The Philadelphia 76ers are 3-1 against the Boston Celtics this season. They usually struggle against their nemesis. It took a 52-point explosion from Joel Embiid to beat the Cs back on Apr. 4.

James Harden will have to play as well as Joel Embiid's dominant night for the 76ers to win. He can't continue to defer to his teammates until their MVP returns to the lineup.

Without Embiid, the 76ers have started the series perfectly against the Celtics due to Harden's superb play. Philadelphia now has home court advantage and could take a 2-0 lead on Friday.

Embiid's status remains questionable. Doc Rivers said after the game that they are hopeful he will play, but will not pin their hopes on that possibility. If "The Process" remains out, Harden will have to sustain his aggression to give the 76ers a chance to win Game 2.

"The Beard" has a long history of disappearing in the biggest postseason games of his career. He can't have that against the Boston Celtics or the 76ers will go home early.

James Harden will have to make Game 1 the standard of his play for the Philadelphia 76ers to probably win this series.

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