Boston Celtics makes a 22-point comeback in NBA playoffs

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The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers by 108 to 103 on Thursday, gaining a 2-0 advantage in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Their victory came after a 22-point comeback, the biggest deficit overcome by Boston since Game Four of the 2007-08 NBA Finals.

'King of comeback'

Terry Rozier of the Boston Celtics takes a shot over Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. /VCG Photo

Overcoming large deficits are no longer news for the Celtics this season. They have already won eight games where they were trailing by at least 15 points. Three of them were done with differences of 20 points or more, making the Celtics the unquestionable "King of comeback."

In their rallies from behind, the Celtics have defeated the Houston Rockets, and believe it or not, the Philadelphia 76ers. In a January game, the 76ers were leading by 21 points after a quarter and a half. However, the Celtics scored 44 points in the next 13 minutes, reversing a 21-point deficit into a seven-point leading and winning the game in the end.

The 76ers have talent, but much to learn

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. /VCG Photo

Having failed to learn its lesson, the 76ers tasted the same bitterness in the playoffs. Their organizer Ben Simmons, one of the best candidates for Rookie of the Year, made zero shots out of four attempts, scored only one point and ended the game with four turnovers.

This is not the first time the 76ers have lost a game where they had a comfortable lead. The team has already lost five games (including Thursday's game) with leads of over 20 points. When the head coach insists that his organizer with obvious shooting problems must stay on the court in critical games, the team needs to work out a solution.

Though they've lost the first two games, the 76ers still have a chance to reverse the situation, as they're headed back home, and are arguably the more talented team.

Nonetheless, history isn't on their side, as the Celtics have won all 36 of the playoff series where they've led the series 2-0. By contrast, the 76ers have lost every one of their 11 series, where they've trailed by 0-2.