Tatum sets Game 7 record with 51 points as Celtics beat 76ers, advance to face Heat

Jayson Tatum scored 51 points — the most in a Game 7 in NBA history — and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year.

The Celtics, who lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals last year, will face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, which begin on Wednesday in Boston.

Tatum broke the Game 7 record that Stephen Curry set with 50 points two weeks ago against Sacramento and added 13 rebounds.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points for the Celtics, who rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series to keep alive their hopes for an unprecedented 18th NBA championship. Tatum was subbed out of the game with three minutes left to a standing ovation from the crowd, which soon broke out in a "Beat the Heat!" chant.

"Beat the Heat" chants fill TD Garden after a dominant Game 7 win for the Celtics