2018 NBA Playoffs: Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics, East Conf. Semis

Jayson Tatum is the 1st @celtics rookie with 28+ points in an #NBAPlayoffs game since Larry Bird (April 1980). #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/adufbLPOUR
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 1, 2018

Well, that was a surprise.

Who would have expected an undermanned Celtics team to have just one day off, after a Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks, to win in blowout fashion in Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers?

But that's been the story of the Celtics' 2017-18 season - doing the unexpected!

Terry Rozier (7-of-9 on 3s), Jayson Tatum (11-of-12 FT's) and Al Horford (10-of-12 FG's) combine for 83 points on a combined 28-of-46 (63%) shooting. Meanwhile, for the 76ers, Joel Embiid had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists but he just couldn't do it alone. Ben Simmons had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists but he also had 7 turnovers.

At the end of the day, the 6 days off seems to off bit the 76ers in the back! As I, Yash Matange sign off, do make sure to join us again for tomorrow's Conference Semifinals action in the 2018 NBA Playoffs for the double-header - Cavaliers vs Raptors (8 PM ET) and Pelicans vs Warriors (10:30 PM ET).

The @celtics take Game 1 behind big nights from Terry Rozier, Jayson Tatum, & Al Horford!

BOS defeats @sixers 117-101 to go up 1-0 in the Conference Semis!

Rozier: 29 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 7 3PM
Tatum: 28 PTS
Horford: 26 PTS, 10-12 FGM#CUsRise #NBAPlayoffs

Joel Embiid: 31 PTS pic.twitter.com/Hg4ciBO9Tu
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2018

Stat that turned the game:

Philadelphia 76ers - 5-of-26 (19.2%) on 3s

Boston Celtics - 17-of-26 (47.2%) on 3s

SCARY. TERRY.

Rozier goes off as the C's take Game 1 over the Sixers:
29 PTS
8 REBS
6 ASTS
2 STLS pic.twitter.com/ckRO8xf7rj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2018

FULL-TIME: Celtics win Game 1 117-101, lead series 1-0

He makes both.

58 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 115-101

Ilyasova to shoot two FT's after being fouled.

Garbage time the last minute of this game.

76ers empty the bench as well.

He makes 1-of-2

01:18 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 115-99

Boston can't score on the other end. Simmons tries a fadeaway on the other end but gets fouled!

Simmons makes both!

01:44 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 115-98

Benches empty for Boston!

Smart commits a foul. FT's coming.

For the second consecutive game, Terry Rozier has set a new playoff career scoring high (29 points)
— Celtics Stats (@celtics_stats) May 1, 2018

29 points for the game, 13 in the quarter and 7 3s in the game for Terry Rozier!

ROZIER for another 3!

Morris misses his 3 but Philly turn it over a travel by Simmons.

Belinelli with the airball but Saric gets the miss to go.

02:50 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 112-94

Crazy fadeaway jumper by Rozier! Philadelphia calls TIMEOUT!

Redick gets a jumper to go but 76ers still down 16 with 3 minutes to play!

03:29 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 110-92

He makes all 3!

Rozier steals the ball on the bad pass by Simmons. He runs down the floor and gives Tatum the ball. He attempts a corner 3 and gets fouled.

Tatum AGAIN! This time on the drive, gets it to go.

Amazing pass from Simmons to an open Saric in the paint. That went through two pair of legs.

Tatum gets it and he runs down the floor. Gets fouled on the drive attempt, he makes both

Simmons misses both but Embiid gets the offensive rebound. He misses the tussle for the loose ball.

04:31 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 103-90

Larkin fouls Simmons. Two FT's coming.

ROZIER FOR ANOTHER 3! 6-OF-8 on 3s

Embiid on the drive to the hole. 10-point game again!

Nothing average about Al. 👌🔥 pic.twitter.com/2UPNCIm9FI
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 1, 2018

05:30 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 100-88

HORFORD FOR 3 and Philadelphia call TIMEOUT!

Too easy! Simmons gets it to go on Rozier on the pass from Embiid.

Al Horford knocks down the baseline mid-ranger.

9-POINT game now.

JOEL EMBIID FOR 3!

Tatum to Morris for the mid-range jumper!

A 10-point game now with a Belinelli layup!

Great ball movement by the Celtics. It could have ended really well but Tatum steps out of bounds in the corner.

07:41 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics lead 93-81

He makes both

The 76ers are down by 14 but they can come back in this game with FT's. Boston is in the bonus with 7:41 left. Belinelli now at the line with two to come.

2018 NBA Playoffs: Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics, East Conf. Semis - Live Scores & Updates

FULL-TIME: Celtics win Game 1 117-101, lead series 1-0