Celtics-76ers Rivalry

Lore & Background

The Celtics and 76ers first met in the playoffs in 1953 (Eastern Division Semifinals), when the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals (the franchise that later became the 76ers). The rivalry intensified in the 1960s as Bill Russell's Celtics battled Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers, including a memorable 1965 Eastern Division Finals where the Celtics won Game 7 in overtime. In the 1980s, Larry Bird and Julius Erving led their teams in classic series, such as the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals (Celtics won 4–3) and the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals (76ers won 4–3). The 1985 Eastern Conference Semifinals saw the Celtics defeat the 76ers in five games. The rivalry continued into the 2000s with playoff meetings in 2002 (Celtics won 4–2 in the First Round) and 2012 (Celtics won 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals).

In Their Own Story

The air in the Boston Garden was thick with humidity and the scent of popcorn, but beneath it lay a sharper tension. As Julius Erving drove baseline, his eyes locked onto Robert Parish, who stood like a granite monolith under the rim. The crowd roared, a singular sound that vibrated through the wooden floorboards. Erving leaped, hanging in the air for what felt like an eternity, but the whistle blew before he could land. It was another foul, another stoppage in a game that had already spilled over into chaos. In the huddle, Larry Bird wiped sweat from his brow, his voice low and steady amidst the shouting coaches. 'They want to break us,' he said, looking at his teammates. 'But they forget who we are.' The game resumed, not as basketball, but as a battle for history.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry is defined by five playoff meetings from 1985 to 1991, with Boston winning in 1985 and 1987, and Detroit winning in 1988, 1989, and 1991. Key players include Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer. The Pistons' physical 'Bad Boys' style and the Celtics' finesse created intense matchups. Later meetings include the 2002 and 2008 playoffs, with Boston winning both.

Did You Know?

• The Celtics and 76ers first met in the playoffs in 1953, when the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals in the Eastern Division Semifinals.
• In Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Division Finals, the Celtics defeated the 76ers 110–109 on a last-second basket by John Havlicek, famously called 'Havlicek stole the ball!'
• The Celtics and 76ers have met in the playoffs 22 times, the most of any NBA rivalry.
• In the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics overcame a 3–1 deficit to defeat the 76ers, winning Game 7 91–90.
• The 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Celtics and 76ers featured seven games, with the Celtics winning Game 7 85–75.