Even Doc Rivers, who was selected in the NBA Draft 40 years ago and has been around the game even longer than that, had to marvel at what transpired at TD Garden with 33.5 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
With the Celtics clinging to a 113-112 lead, Malcolm Brogdon dribbled toward the basket and fired an off-balance pass without looking at his target.
He threw the ball right to 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, who raced to the other end and a go-ahead dunk with no Celtics defenders in sight. Philadelphia eventually won 119-115 on Monday night.