Celtics-76ers: Five Best Moments From 2002 and 2012 Playoff Series (Both Went the Distance)

| Posted on |

The Boston Celtics made short work of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their first-round series. Now, they’ll move on to play the Philadelphia 76ers in what should be a very good series. Philly is young and can score the rock at will. Boston, on the other hand, can stop teams from doing so and has the best X’s-and-O’s coach in the NBA. Don’t be surprised if this one goes the same way as their last two playoff series.

And while the thought of Boston versus Philly brings to mind the infamous fist-fight between Dr. J and Larry Bird, the Millennial Generation didn’t actually see it go down. So, instead of rehashing NBA Classics, we’re checking out those two most recent playoff series (both of which went the distance).

2002 NBA Playoffs First Round: Boston beats Philly (3-2)

This series took place a year after Allen Iverson took the 76ers to a surprise NBA Finals appearance. Boston, after the disastrous Rick Pitino era, was finally back in the postseason with Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker leading the way.

May 1st, 2002: Iverson Hits Game-Winner in First Round to Send Series The Distance

Back when the first round of the NBA Playoffs was only five games, Allen Iverson saved the day for Philly to force a deciding Game 5 in Boston. Down 77-75 with 1:17 remaining, “The Answer” scored the final eight points for the 76ers — including a tie-breaking jumper over Kenny Anderson with 23 seconds remaining. After a missed three by Antoine Walker, AI sealed the win with 1.6 seconds to go by making two free-throws.

May 3rd, 2002: Paul Piece Erupts in Game 5 Blowout to Advance

Two days after Iverson’s heroics, Paul Pierce exploded for 46 points in a Game 5 blowout of the Sixers. The game didn’t get out of hand until the fourth quarter, though. That’s when Pierce really got going. Boston entered the fourth with a 77-67 lead but scored 43 points to close the game. Pierce, who also scored 15 points in the second quarter, hit four threes in the fourth en route to 15 fourth-quarter points.

Aftermath:

Boston went on to beat Detroit in the semifinals but eventually lost to Jason Kidd’s New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals (4-2). From there, they made the postseason in each of their next three seasons but didn’t reach the Eastern Conference Finals again until the Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen came along in 2007-08. The 76ers bounced back and reached the semifinals the next season but by 2007, Iverson was gone and they were in a rebuilding era.

2012 NBA Playoffs Semifinals: Boston beats Philly (4-3)

This was the final year of the Celtics Big-3 era and a lockout-shortened NBA season. Boston was the No. 4 seed in the East while the 76ers — who lucked out in the first round — were the No. 8 seed.

May 12th, 2012: Rondo’s Triple-Double Leads Boston to Game 1 Victory

Rondo being Rondo. Well, actually, Rondo being “Playoff Rondo”.

May 14th, 2012: Eighth-Seeded Sixers Steal Game 2 in Boston

After lucking into the second round (thanks to a Derrick Rose injury), the 76ers showed they weren’t messing around against Boston. The team, although young, had a lot of guys playing that are still viable NBA players today (Evan Turner, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday, and Lou Williams). Philly won 82-81 behind 18 points from Holiday but head coach Doug Collins deserved more credit than anyone.

May 26th, 2012: Rondo Steals Show in Fourth Quarter to Win Game 7

With under four minutes to go in the fourth, the Celtics held a three-point lead over Philly. That’s when “Playoff Rondo” showed up and stole the show (and secured his second triple-double of the series). He outscored nine points in less than two minutes and put the game out of reach. Philly was daring him to shoot…so he did…and he was feelin‘ it. The Celtics won the game 85-75 and Rondo finished with 18/10/10. While the 76ers played better than anyone thought, they weren’t able to build off their performance in the following season. This would be NBA legend Doug Collins last time coaching in a playoff game.

Aftermath:

Boston went on to have an awesome series with the East’s other Big 3 (Miami), but lost in seven games and eventually broke up. Philly, well, they decided to “Trust the Process” and bailed on Doug Collins a year later. This season is their first time back in the playoffs since this series.

I can’t wait for another round of Sixers-Celtics — let’s go!