BOSTON (Interstat) — The Philadelphia 76ers evened their first-round playoff series with a 111-97 road victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at TD Garden. After dropping Game 1, the 76ers used a dominant 37-point second quarter to seize control, outscoring the Celtics by 14 in the period to take a 62-54 halftime lead they would not relinquish. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe led Philadelphia with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 29 points and nine assists. Jaylen Brown scored 36 points for Boston. The series is now tied 1-1 as it shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday. Attendance was 19,156.

BOSTON (Interstat) — The Philadelphia 76ers, left reeling after a 32-point defeat just days prior, authored a stunning and defiant response Tuesday night, wresting home-court advantage from the Boston Celtics with a commanding 111-97 victory in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. A raucous sellout crowd of 19,156 at TD Garden watched the seventh-seeded 76ers, heavy underdogs against the seed Celtics, level the series at one game apiece behind a breakout performance from rookie guard VJ Edgecombe and a dominant second-quarter surge that Boston never truly answered. The Celtics, who cruised to a 123-91 win in the series opener, appeared poised for another strong start, leading 28-25 after a tightly contested first quarter behind 10 points from Jaylen Brown. The trajectory of the game, and perhaps the series, shifted irrevocably in the second period. Philadelphia’s offense, stagnant and overwhelmed in Game 1, erupted for 37 points, overwhelming Boston with a combination of precision shooting and relentless transition play. Edgecombe, who managed just 13 points in the opening loss, was the catalyst. The 6-foot-4 guard scored 15 of his game-high 30 points in the quarter, including a personal 8-0 run that featured two three-pointers and a soaring running dunk. His flurry turned a 40-39 Philadelphia lead into a 48-39 advantage, forcing a Celtics timeout that did little to stem the tide. Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 29 points and nine assists, capped the half with a deep three-pointer, sending the 76ers into the locker room with a 62-54 lead and all the momentum. The most critical sequence of the game solidified Philadelphia’s control early in the fourth quarter. After Boston’s Derrick White hit a three to cut the deficit to 80-77, the 76ers’ defense stiffened, triggering a decisive 17-5 run over the next five minutes. The Celtics went scoreless for over three minutes during the stretch, missing six consecutive shots and committing two turnovers as Philadelphia’s lead ballooned to 97-82. Maxey was again central, drilling two more three-pointers during the run, while Edgecombe silenced the building with a deep step-back three-pointer over Brown. Boston’s offense, so fluid in Game 1, devolved into isolation and contested jumpers. Brown led the Celtics with 36 points, but his effort was undercut by seven turnovers. Jayson Tatum filled the stat sheet with 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, but shot just 8-of-22 from the field as Philadelphia’s defensive rotations and physicality took a toll. Paul George provided vital support for Philadelphia with 19 points, while veteran center Andre Drummond contributed 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench, offering crucial interior presence. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 12 points. For Boston, the loss was a stark departure from their recent dominance over Philadelphia, having won the previous three meetings by an average of 24 points. The Celtics, who finished the regular season with a 57-27 record, were installed as 14.5-point favorites pregame and were given an 86% probability to win by statistical models. Instead, they were outshot, outhustled and out-executed for the final three quarters. The 76ers, who improved to 47-38, showcased the resilience that had been absent in the series opener. Edgecombe’s stellar performance, following a series of solid but unspectacular outings, announced his arrival on the playoff stage and provided the secondary scoring punch alongside Maxey that Philadelphia desperately needed. The series now shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4, with the 76ers having successfully navigated their mandatory road split. The Celtics, meanwhile, face immediate pressure to reclaim their form and find answers for a rejuvenated Philadelphia attack that has suddenly made this a best-of-five series with the underdogs holding the home-floor edge. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Philadelphia.

Preview: 76ers Look to Even Series Against Celtics in Game 2 BOSTON (Interstat) — Facing a steep deficit after a lopsided series opener, the Philadelphia 76ers aim for a swift and significant response when they visit the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their NBA playoff series on Tuesday night at TD Garden. The Celtics seized home-court advantage with a commanding 123-91 victory on Sunday, a performance that underscored the challenge ahead for the eighth-seeded 76ers (46-38). Top-seeded Boston (57-26) dominated defensively and showcased its offensive balance, leading by as many as 36 points. Philadelphia will lean heavily on forward Paul George, who scored 17 points in the Game 1 loss. He has been a consistent scorer for the 76ers, including a 39-point outburst against Washington on April 1, but will need more support. Tyrese Maxey added 21 points and eight assists in the opener, but Philadelphia’s offense otherwise sputtered against Boston’s defense. For the Celtics, All-Star Jayson Tatum set the tone in Game 1 with 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. He has been in elite form, averaging a near triple-double over his last 10 games. Jaylen Brown complemented him with 26 points in the opener. Recent history heavily favors Boston, which has won three straight against Philadelphia, including both regular-season meetings in March and November. The 76ers’ last win in the rivalry came at home on Oct. 22. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the Celtics are projected to win 120-113. Boston has been installed as a 14.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 216.5 points. A Philadelphia victory would steal home-court advantage before the series shifts to games Friday and Sunday in Philadelphia. A Boston win would send the 76ers home in an 0-2 hole, a deficit only five teams in NBA history have overcome in a seven-game series. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday.