PHILADELPHIA – James Harden had a new friend he called his good-luck charm in the arena and the grit he needed to turn in a vintage effort – in the form of tying and winning shots -for the 76ers.
Looking down-and-out in the previous two games, Good Game James saved the 76ers in Game 4. Harden hit the floater with 16 seconds left in regulation that tied the game, buried the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining in overtime and scored 42 points to help the Sixers stave off a wild Boston Celtics comeback in a 116-115 victory on Sunday. “I just want to win,” Harden said. “Today was do-or-die for us.” The 76ers tied their playoff series at 2-2 with Game 5 set for Tuesday.
Harden won the game in front of John Hao, a paralyzed Michigan State shooting survivor who developed a long-distance friendship with the 10-time All-Star.
Harden invited Hao to a game as soon as he was able to travel. “He’s strong, he’s bouncing back, he’s recovering very well,” Harden said. “I feel like it’s my job to give him that light, that smile that he deserves.