James Harden drops 42 points to lift 76ers over Celtics in Game 4

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James Harden hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime and scored 42 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers stave off a wild Boston Celtics comeback in a 116-115 victory on Sunday that evened their playoff series at 2-2.

Marcus Smart's potential winner was a tick too late and the Celtics now head home for Tuesday's Game 5.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid goes up for a shot against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 4 in an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Celtics rallied from 15 points down with 2 minutes left in the third quarter in hopes of seizing control of the series.

The Sixers were on the brink of defeat numerous times over the final 17 minutes, none more than when Joel Embid connected with Smart on a driving, one-handed bank shot with 1:49 left but was whistled for an offensive foul. The play was reviewed and the call stood. Boston kept its 112-111 lead with 1:49 left in OT.

Embiid kept his composure and eventually got to the line to sink the go-ahead free throws with 59 seconds left and the season in the balance.

Embiid had 34 points and 13 rebounds.

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Philadelphia 76ers' James Harden (1) reacts past Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart during the second half of Game 4 in an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Philadelphia.  (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

They went to overtime tied 107-all after Smart was short on a 3 at the horn