76ers' Joel Embiid: 'Everybody Has to Step Up, Starting with Me' vs. Celtics in G7

After missing an opportunity to close out the Boston Celtics at home in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia 76ers must win at TD Garden on Sunday to keep their championship hopes alive.

Speaking to reporters following Thursday's 95-86 loss, Joel Embiid said "everybody has to step up, starting with me" going into Game 7.

"I got to be more aggressive, as far as shooting and making sure I get my teammates looks and everybody else has to do their job and everybody has to show up," the NBA MVP added.

The Sixers were able to shake off a slow start with a 30-point third quarter that helped them overcome a 17-point deficit in the first half. They took an 83-81 lead on Tyrese Maxey's free throws with 5:57 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Boston closed the game on a 14-3 run from that point, with Jayson Tatum scoring 12 points on four three-pointers during that span. He had seven points and was 0-of-7 from three in the game before that stretch.

Embiid had a double-double for the third time in four games with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but he once again struggled with his efficiency. The Sixers superstar shot 9-of-19 from the field and has yet to make at least 50 percent of his attempts in a game this series.

This was also another game where James Harden had problems against the Celtics defense. He scored 13 points on 4-of-16 shooting, though he did have nine assists and three steals.

It's probably not a coincidence the three games Philadelphia has lost in this series are the three games Harden has shot under 30 percent from the field. The former NBA MVP is 37-of-61 combined in the 76ers' three victories, but just 9-of-44 in the three losses.

The 76ers acquired Harden last year with the hope he could put them over the top in the playoffs. He's been their best player when they have been able to beat Boston. That will likely have to be the case again on Sunday.

Embiid and the Sixers have been in this spot before, though the results haven't gone in their favor. The last time they played a Game 7 on the road was four years ago when Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beater sent the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals.

A lot of bad history can be erased for the 76ers with a victory over their biggest rival at TD Garden.