Prime 5 Sixers-Celtics Playoff Moments In Historical past

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics each have wealthy histories. The 2 franchises are set to collide within the Jap Convention semifinals of the NBA playoffs starting tonight.

It’s the primary playoff matchup since 2018, when the Celtics beat the Sixers, 4-1, within the convention semifinals.

The Sixers and Celtics have had some iconic playoff moments over the course of historical past. A lot of the moments date again to the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties when Julius Erving and Larry Hen headlined the rivalry. The Nineteen Sixties additionally featured heated battles between Wilt Chamberlain and Invoice Russell.

PlayPennsylvania counts down the most effective Sixers-Celtics playoff moments.

Sixers-Celtics 2023 playoff schedule

Earlier than we get into the most effective Sixers-Celtics playoff historical past, right here is the schedule for the upcoming collection:

• Monday, Could 1: Sixers at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Could 3: Sixers at Celtics, 8 p.m.
• Friday, Could 5: Celtics at Sixers, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Could 7: Celtics at Sixers, 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Could 9: Sixers at Celtics, TBD
• Thursday, Could 11: Celtics at Sixers, TBD
• Sunday, Could 14: Sixers at Celtics, TBD

Prime Sixers-Celtics playoff moments

No. 5 – Untimely confetti celebration in Philadelphia

The final time the Sixers and Celtics confronted one another within the playoffs in 2018, there appeared to be a confetti malfunction on the Wells Fargo Heart. Marco Belinelli laced a game-winning three to win 90-89. It introduced the Sixers to a 2-1 collection deficit as confetti fell on the Wells Fargo Heart flooring.

After additional overview, Belinelli’s toe was on the road, and the Sixers and Celtics wanted extra time.

Following a short delay to wash up the confetti, the Celtics completed off the Sixers 101-98. The Celtics went up 3-0 within the collection, after the Sixers thought they got here near night it.

Rookie Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 24 factors. Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 22 factors. After the Sixers gained Sport 4 to keep away from the sweep, the Celtics gained Sport 5, and the collection, 4-1.

No. 4 – Russell overcomes 3-1 collection deficit

En path to one among Invoice Russell’s 11 championships as a participant, the legend acquired the higher of his counterpart Wilt Chamberlain. Russell overcame a 3-1 deficit to place the Celtics within the NBA Finals in 1968.

Russell had 12 factors and 26 rebounds within the 100-96 Sport 7 victory over the Sixers. Chamberlain solely had 14 factors, however grabbed 34 rebounds.

The Celtics gained Sport 5, 122-104, and Sport 6, 114-106.

No. 3 – ‘Havlicek stole the ball!’

In one of the vital iconic performs in NBA historical past, John Havlicek stole a Sixers inbounds move in Sport 7 of the NBA Jap Division Finals in 1965.

Havlicek took the ball and dribbled out the clock for a 110-109 Celtics win. The Celtics wound up beating the Lakers 4-1 to win the NBA title.

The Celtics and Sixers performed a good seven-game collection. The Sixers gained Sport 6 at house, 112-106, to pressure Sport 7. In Sport 7, Chamberlain had 30 factors and 32 rebounds. Russell scored 15 factors and had 29 rebounds.

No. 2 – Sixers blow one other 3-1 collection lead

The Sixers had been on the point of the NBA Finals in 1981. After constructing a 3-1 collection lead, historical past repeated itself and the Celtics got here all the way in which again to win the collection in seven video games.

The Sixers misplaced Video games 5, 6 and seven by a mixed 5 factors:

• 5: Celtics 111, Sixers 109
• 6: Celtics 100, Sixers 98
• 7: Celtics 91, Sixers 90

The Sixers had the lead getting into the fourth quarter in each Video games 6 and seven.

Larry Hen led the Celtics in scoring in these three contests, averaging 26.7 factors per outing.

The Celtics would beat the Rockets, 4-2, within the NBA Finals.

What might have been for the Sixers.

No. 1 – ‘Boston Strangler’ takes out Celtics

It couldn’t occur a 3rd time, proper? The Sixers constructed one other 3-1 collection lead in 1982 and proceeded to lose the following two video games. The Sixers needed to win one other Sport 7 in Boston to punch a ticket for the NBA Finals.

Led by Andrew Toney, the Sixers dominated the Celtics for a 120-106 victory. Toney scored a game-high 34 factors and later turned referred to as the ‘Boston Strangler’ for his heroics.

Former Celtics guard and Basic Supervisor Danny Ainge made this assertion following the sport:

“He simply was hitting some pictures with two or three guys in his face. And he was hitting some pictures over the large folks inside. He simply will get that manner typically. I don’t know what we are able to do in a different way to cease him, besides possibly knock him unconscious.”

Corridor of Famer Julius Erving added 29 factors for the Sixers.

Philadelphia acquired the proverbial monkey off its again after dropping Sport 5, 114-85, and Sport 6, 88-75.

The Sixers would lose to the Lakers within the NBA Finals, 4-2.