Troubling trend continues for 76ers in blowout Game 2 loss to Celtics

The Sixers stunned the Celtics in Game 1 without Embiid, who sat out while nursing a sprained knee. He returned for Game 2 with a brace on the knee, but did not look 100 percent in the contest. Embiid played 27 minutes and was effective on the defensive end, but was not much of a threat offensively, shooting 4-of-9 from the field for 15 points. 

With Embiid slowed, the Celtics shut down James Harden, holding him to only 12 points after a 45-point effort in Game 1. 

The Sixers came out flat in Game 2, while the Celtics were motivated, looking to bounce back after letting an opportunity in Game 1 slip away. 

Boston embarrassed the Sixers despite a slow night from Jayson Tatum, who finished with only seven points in 19 minutes after getting in early foul trouble. 

Jaylen Brown led the way with 25 points, shooting 9-of-17 from the field and 3-of-6 from three, while Malcolm Brogdon was a force off the bench — scoring 23 points, with six three-point makes included in the tally.

Overall, the Celtics shot 47 percent from the floor and made 20 three-pointers, shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. Conversely, the Sixers shot only 39 percent from the field and an abysmal 20 percent from three, making only 6-of-30 attempts from deep. 

The Sixers' chances with Embiid are greater than they are without him, of course, but the current trend says the Celtics have the number of the new MVP.

The best-of-seven series now shifts to Philadelphia. The Sixers will host the Celtics for Game 3 on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.