Celtics beat the 76ers in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
For the third time in five years, the Boston Celtics got their ticket the Conference Finals in a winner take all game 7 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The feeling in the air Saturday night at the TD Garden was would this be this last game for the “big 3” playing together in Boston. Determined to make their season stretch at least another round, the C’s jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead over Philly led by Rajon Rondo contributing 4 assist. Elton Brand quickly brought the 76ers back to within 3 points scoring 8 points. By the start of the 2nd quarter the game was tied and general conception was that Philly would carry momentum into that quarter but that wasn’t the case. Philadelphia had went almost 7 minutes scoring only 3 points as Boston was also struggling as well with their bench in giving the starters some rest. Fast-forwarding to the 2nd half Boston was up by as many as 11 with the score at 49-38 by the 8 min. mark. Less than a minute to go in the quarter Sixers forward Andre Iguodala scored a fast-break dunk from a Rajon Rondo turnover but that was before Kevin Garnett hit a buzzer beater shot to give the Celtics more breathing room heading into the final quarter. In the 4h quarter still up by only 3, Boston was 0-14 from beyond the arc until Ray Allen hit a three to give them a 6 point lead. At the 4 min. mark with Boston up 3 points, Paul Pierce would have to leave the game picking up his 6th foul for an offensive charge on Thaddeus Young. Rondo immediately took over the game scoring all of his 11 4th quarter points after Pierce fouled out. Rondo scored a baseline drive followed by a long 2-pointer that was originally thought to be a 3, but put the icing on the series as he netted a 3-pointer with 2 minutes left to give the Celtics a 10 point lead.
Celtics guard, Rajon Rondo was huge late as Boston fought off Philly in Game 7 to earn a shot at the Heat. Rondo finished this closer with an expected triple-double scoring 18 points, 10 boards and 10 dimes while Kevin Garnett added in 18 points as well and 13 boards. 76ers had their worst shooting game in the 2012 postseason in their exit only shooting 35% from the field, 28% in the first half. Boston now heads down South Beach to face their rival the Miami Heat. Last year in the Conference Semifinals, Miami defeated Boston in 5 games but before in 2010 the Celtics defeated both the Miami Heat and the then LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers. Chris Bosh will be out for game 1 with no timetable return set; while Celtics guard, Avery Bradley had season-ending shoulder surgery Friday afternoon ending his 2012 season. A lot will be expected in Rondo next round as he will be the X-Factor in whether the Celtics can upset the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.
Game 1 is scheduled this Monday on ESPN with a tip-off set for 8:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
Celtics Win 4-3
Game 1: Boston 92, Philadelphia 91
Game 2: Philadelphia 82, Boston 81
Game 3: Boston 107, Philadelphia 91
Game 4: Philadelphia 92, Boston 83
Game 5: Boston 101, Philadelphia 85
Game 6: Philadelphia 82, Boston 75
Game 7: Boston 85, Philadelphia 75