Celtics Remain Winless against Philly

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Sixers 121-Celtics 114 (OT)
Record: 13-6
12/5/1983

A few things in this town are undeniably blue-chip. Filene's basement, the Pops on the Fourth of July, and dinner in the North End won't ever let you down. Is there any doubt that Sixers-Celtics in the Garden ranks with Boston's very best? Basketball's Holy War resumed at the Parquet Palace last night. The NBA's Athens and Sparta dueled for 53 pulsating minutes and much to the dismay of the Celtic fandom, the hated-Sixers emerged with a 121-114 overtime victory, their second regular season win here since 1978-79.

Provincialism will force Celtic fans to wince at the memory of this one, but the NBA would do well to bottle last night's fourth quarter and the first four overtime minutes. There is no better advertisement for what the game can be. n the words of Julius Erving, "When these two teams meet, it's a beatiful thing to participte in. The game comes off the paper and talent takes over." A Francis Ford Coppola finish highlighted the end of regulation as the estimable Doctor sent it into overtime with a a shot for the ages. It was tied, 98-98, with six seconds left when Larry Bird (22 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds) hit an improbable running jumper from 18 feet to give the Celtics a 100-98 lead.

The clock was moving and several Sixers were trying to call time. Philly didn't have any time outs left. A quick-thinking Moses Malone inbounded and tossed a Sammy Baugh special to Erving who was streaking past midcourt. Doc caught the pass over the outstretched arms of Bird, wiggled to his right and threw up a shot that would have made Nick Weatherspoon wince. In agonizing slow motion, Erving's shot hit the rim, rattled around a few times, and dropped through. Overtime. "The shot had fingers," said Celtic coach K.C. Jones. "The play wasn't set up, it just flowed," said the Doctor. "I was trying to get back on defense and Moses threw a good pass," said Bird. "I anticipated it would be short, but it went over my head. Doc got it and took a tough shot, but it went in. That's what makes him such a great player."

In extra innings, the Celtics matched the Sixers basket for basket for three and a half minutes. It was pure hoop heaven. With 1:25 left, Bobby Jones (19 points, seven steals) hit a baseline jumper to put the Sixers ahead (110-108) for good. The Celtics fell apart quickly from there. Maurice Cheeks (19 points, eight assists) stripped the ball from Robert Parish (21 points, 13 rebounds) and streaked down the floor for a layup. He was fouled and made the free throw to give the Sixers a 113-108 lead with 1:03 left. Boston's final hope faded when Malone knocked the ball away from Parish as the Chief was about to shoot. The Celtics had to foul. Erving and Andrew Toney converted as the suddenly quiet crowd filed out into the Causeway Street slush.

It was hard to believe the Celtics had led by 15 (35-20) early in the second quarter. The margin was down to seven at halftime, and Philadelphia surged ahead in the third quarter. Boston's first quarter was near-perfect. The Celtics went at the World Champs like a heat-seeking missile, shooting 70 percent (14-20) and outscoring the 76ers, 23-9, in the final seven and a half minutes. The Celtics led by 15 with 10:08 left in the second, but Malone and Erving got rolling and helped the Sixers close the gap to seven by halftime. The Sixers had to be pleased to be that close - 53-46 didn't seem too bad considering how poorly Philadelphia started the game.

Malone scored eight points in a 19-10 Philly run in the first half of the third. The Sixers first lead since 7-6 came when Toney (18) scored over Danny Ainge (sound famaliar?) to give Philly a 65-63 lead. The Celtics led, 83-74, early in the fourth and had a 93-86 lead with 3:16 left. Cunningham called time to get Moses (29 points, 14 rebounds lest we forget) back in the game. The Celtics started to come apart. Gerald Henderson and Bird made bad passes, resulting in turnovers and Ainge missed an open jumper. Meanwhile, the Sixers hit four of six free throws to cut it to 93-90. Jones called time with 1:47 left. With 1:20 left, Parish snatched a Bird miss and put it back in. After a bomb by Cheeks, Parish hit one of two from the line. Then Jones converted a three-point play to cut the led to 96-95 with 0:39 showing.

Parish made two free throws to put the Celtics ahead, 98-95 with 26 seconds left. Philly called time. Guess who was called upon to try a three pointer? Toney missed his first bomb, but Jones gathered the long rebound and found the Boston Strangler outside the stripe again. Sir Andrew canned the second one and it was 98-98 with 13 seconds left. "I should have made them both," said the infuriating Toney. The Celtics called time. Enter Bird. Enter Doc. Exit Celtics. They meet again Jan. 13, at Philadelphia.