Break out the brooms, because the Boston Celtics just completed their sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday afternoon with a 110-106 victory in Game 4.
Boston becomes the first team to advance to the second round of the playoffs, though the Toronto Raptors have an opportunity to sweep the Brooklyn Nets later on Sunday.
The two teams battled for much of the first half, trading blows as the Sixers fought for their playoff lives.
But the game turned late in the third quarter, when Sixers swingman Tobias Harris went to the locker room after crashing to the floor on a block attempt.
The Celtics subsequently closed the quarter on a 9-0 run, with Jayson Tatum scoring seven of the nine points to give Boston a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter. It was essentially over from there.
Boston opened the fourth with a 7-2 run to open up a 17-point lead. The Sixers fought back, and Harris even returned to the floor despite the scary nature of his injury. However, Philly simply could not overcome the late deficit.
Kemba Walker poured in 32 points, while Tatum scored 28 points in addition to 15 rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Boston also established big man Daniel Theis as a weapon in the pick-and-roll, with Theis extending his range to the 3-point arc and also ducking in for easy layups and dunks.
The Celtics are likely destined for a matchup with a healthy and hot Raptors team, who figure to pose a big challenge given their proficiency on the defensive end of the floor.
Whether the Celtics can maintain their momentum without Gordon Hayward remains to be seen. But for now, they are on to the second round.
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