NBA playoffs: Joel Embiid’s 33 lift Sixers over Celtics in pivotal Game 5

Having silenced the TD Garden crowd and put the defending Eastern Conference champion Celtics on the brink of a second-round exit, 76ers players barely cracked a smile as they walked off the court.

“It’s not over. We have to get one more,” Joel Embiid said. “All of us. We have to show up.”

They’ll soon get that chance.

Embiid scored 33 points and Philadelphia easily took a 3-2 lead in the East semi-finals, beating Boston 115-103 on Tuesday night.

The 76ers led by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter as home fans booed the Celtics, and can close out the series and advance to the conference finals when they host Game 6 on Thursday night. Philadelphia haven’t reached that stage of the playoffs since 2001.

“What we did tonight, it’s easier said than done. But we have to do it again,” Embiid said.

It was the third straight 30-point game in the series for the reigning MVP, who used his full array offensive weapons to pick apart the Celtics defense. He also had seven rebounds, four blocks and three three-pointers.

Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and six three-pointers. James Harden finished with 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Coach Doc Rivers likened Harden’s play to that of a catcher in baseball calling the perfect game, putting his teammates in optimal position while also scoring big buckets in key moments.

Rivers said it helped his team endure each of Boston’s attempts to get back into the game.

“You just have breathe through it and our guys did that,” Rivers said.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 36 points but was just 11 of 27 from the field. Jaylen Brown finished with 24 points. The Celtics went 12 of 38 from the 3-point line.

“I think we just didn’t have it today,” Tatum said.

If there’s any solace for Boston,