1981-82 Boston Celtics
Tonight at the Garden we will have Athens vs. Sparta, Volume 35, Chapter 1. Who's Athens, and who's Sparta? That depends on whether your area code is 617 or 215.
AC 617 (Boston) enters tonight's renewal of this historic NBA rivalry with a 14-3 record. AC 215 (Philadelphia) comes here with a 14-2 record. Even those of you unable to balance a checkbook can deduce, therefore, that the winner of this game (Ch. 4, WRKO, 7:30) will emerge as the first-place team in the Atlantic Division of the NBA.
The major participants are loath to admit that there will be anything extra involved in this game, contending that it's just an early December game against a key divisional rival, and that nothing will be resolved, one way or the other, as far as the Big Picture is concerned.
But anyone watching these two clubs go at it during the opening exhibition in Hartford back on Oct. 9 knows differently. Such is the mixture of mutual fear and respect among these players that a "routine" game involving the Celtics and 76ers is impossible to comprehend. An inordinate percentage of the NBA players who care about their product will be on the Garden floor tonight.
A possible downer for the Celtics' fans is the impaired physical status of Sixer center Darryl Dawkins, who hyperextended his right knee last Saturday night in a game against Detroit, and who sat out the last two Philly games. Without Dawkins, who would the fans hiss (perhaps Andrew Toney)? At any rate, nobody is certain whether or not Dawkins will play.
But Julius Erving will play, and lately his presence has meant even more trouble than usual for Sixer opponents. The Doc is averaging a cool 25.1 points a game. He is shooting nearly 59 percent from the floor. He's 32, and playing as well as ever. Bobby Jones will be 31 in two weeks, and he, too, is at his peak. Jones has been starting all season, and the effect of the change can be seen in the team's 14-2 record.
Each team has done a strange thing this week: Lost a game. Boston was nipped by Indiana on the road, while Philly, playing without Dawkins, lost a close game at home to San Antonio. All this means is that instead of entering this game with a combined record of 30-3, they come here with a combined record of 28-5. Pity.
Boston vs. Philadelphia is not just a line on the schedule; it's a connotation. It conjures up images of fast breaks, blocked shots, strong team defense and fierce rebound struggles. And the best part is that when it's only Chapter One it means there will be five more to go, not to mention the playoffs.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ATHENS SPARTA. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ATHENS SPARTA. Sort by date Show all posts
1.23.2009
Athens-Sparta III
1981-82 Boston Celtics
Earlier Meetings
The possibilities of the night ahead danced in the season-ticket holder's mind. He might not always have seen a high tide of public opinion when it was approaching in his life, but he darn well saw this one. He bought early. He was covered.
The Celtics will be playing the Philadelphia 76ers again tonight at the Garden at 7:30 and two of the 15,320 golden tickets belong to him.
"I could see it all coming," the season-ticket holder said yesterday afternoon. "That's why I bought the tickets last year. Philadelphia against Boston. There's nothing like it. By the morning, everyone in the city will be talking about the game. Neighbors across their fences. Guys in little coffee shops.
Read more.
Earlier Meetings
The possibilities of the night ahead danced in the season-ticket holder's mind. He might not always have seen a high tide of public opinion when it was approaching in his life, but he darn well saw this one. He bought early. He was covered.
The Celtics will be playing the Philadelphia 76ers again tonight at the Garden at 7:30 and two of the 15,320 golden tickets belong to him.
"I could see it all coming," the season-ticket holder said yesterday afternoon. "That's why I bought the tickets last year. Philadelphia against Boston. There's nothing like it. By the morning, everyone in the city will be talking about the game. Neighbors across their fences. Guys in little coffee shops.
Read more.
Philly is Banged Up
1981-82 Boston Celtics
Athens-Sparta III
The older Julius Erving gets, the more things seem to stay the same. He's 31 years old now and really shouldn't have to be the focal point of a Philadelphia club that is as talented as it is deep.
But don't be surprised to see The Doctor more involved than ever tonight (7:30, Ch. 4) when the first-place 76ers come to Boston with a 1 1/2 -game lead in the Atlantic Division.
Read more.
Athens-Sparta III
The older Julius Erving gets, the more things seem to stay the same. He's 31 years old now and really shouldn't have to be the focal point of a Philadelphia club that is as talented as it is deep.
But don't be surprised to see The Doctor more involved than ever tonight (7:30, Ch. 4) when the first-place 76ers come to Boston with a 1 1/2 -game lead in the Atlantic Division.
Read more.
1.25.2009
Celtics Down Sixers in Athens-Sparta III
Late surge gives Boston win over depleted 76ers
Green Improves to 24-8
1981-82 Boston Celtics
This may have been one for the standings, but it certainly was not one for the heart. Defeating Philadelphia without Andrew Toney (sprained ankle) and with Darryl Dawkins playing 11 painful minutes (tendinitis of the left knee) is about as satisfying as beating Farrah Fawcett in an acting contest.
Nevertheless, the Celtics are now just a half-game out of first place.
Read more.
Green Improves to 24-8
1981-82 Boston Celtics
This may have been one for the standings, but it certainly was not one for the heart. Defeating Philadelphia without Andrew Toney (sprained ankle) and with Darryl Dawkins playing 11 painful minutes (tendinitis of the left knee) is about as satisfying as beating Farrah Fawcett in an acting contest.
Nevertheless, the Celtics are now just a half-game out of first place.
Read more.
9.14.2009
The Knee, the Cavs, and the Truth
“I haven’t been really sleeping that much. That’s how my excitement comes out. I’ve just been envisioning this whole year. I’m excited and I’m working to make sure that when I come in here for training camp that I’m ready and I’m ready full throttle.
Sounds promising.
Although Garnett didn’t have a timetable -- “Everything’s on schedule to be on schedule,’’ - he offered he was gradually regaining strength.
Sounds more like they'll ease him back into the rotation.
LINK
I honestly don't look at 10/27 as the Super Bowl, Athens-Sparta I, or anything like that. It's just the first game of the season against a major rival. I was reading about the 1968-69 season last night. The Lakers cleaned our clocks in November of 1968. That game didn't mean diddly come the following May. I'm not trying to lower expectations. We could still beat Cleveland in Cleveland. I like our team. I'm just trying to be realistic about KG's injury. As you know by now, if the preseason gives Doc an opportunity to play KG off the bench as sixth man, all the better, as far as I'm concerned.
According to Red's Army, ESPN's Ric Bucher has called out Paul Pierce for his poor playoff performance. F*#! Bucher. But he does raise a good point unintentionally. As I noted in July, Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kendrick Perkins ended last season injured, with both Pierce and Perkins being surgery candidates. Let's hope neither injury is one of those that are postponed in the off-season only to become necessary as the season gets underway.
If Paul is healthy, I suspect his feelings about the 10/27 game will be different than mine. I expect our warrior to get the team fired up to win in Cleveland. I would also expect a healthy Pierce to start the season with a message-sending performance.
Sounds promising.
Although Garnett didn’t have a timetable -- “Everything’s on schedule to be on schedule,’’ - he offered he was gradually regaining strength.
Sounds more like they'll ease him back into the rotation.
LINK
I honestly don't look at 10/27 as the Super Bowl, Athens-Sparta I, or anything like that. It's just the first game of the season against a major rival. I was reading about the 1968-69 season last night. The Lakers cleaned our clocks in November of 1968. That game didn't mean diddly come the following May. I'm not trying to lower expectations. We could still beat Cleveland in Cleveland. I like our team. I'm just trying to be realistic about KG's injury. As you know by now, if the preseason gives Doc an opportunity to play KG off the bench as sixth man, all the better, as far as I'm concerned.
According to Red's Army, ESPN's Ric Bucher has called out Paul Pierce for his poor playoff performance. F*#! Bucher. But he does raise a good point unintentionally. As I noted in July, Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kendrick Perkins ended last season injured, with both Pierce and Perkins being surgery candidates. Let's hope neither injury is one of those that are postponed in the off-season only to become necessary as the season gets underway.
If Paul is healthy, I suspect his feelings about the 10/27 game will be different than mine. I expect our warrior to get the team fired up to win in Cleveland. I would also expect a healthy Pierce to start the season with a message-sending performance.
12.16.2008
Sixers Down Celtics in Athens-Sparta II
1981-82 Boston Celtics
Green Fall to 19-6
What must it be like out there in, say, Salt Lake City or Cleveland, where they never get to see anything remotely resembling the demonstration of athletic power, skill and emotion that is the routine Celtics-76ers game, let alone the brilliant exercise on display at the Spectrum last evening?
Those poor people have no frame of reference. And it really was business as usual before a sellout crowd of 18,364 at the Spectrum last night.
Read more.
Green Fall to 19-6
What must it be like out there in, say, Salt Lake City or Cleveland, where they never get to see anything remotely resembling the demonstration of athletic power, skill and emotion that is the routine Celtics-76ers game, let alone the brilliant exercise on display at the Spectrum last evening?
Those poor people have no frame of reference. And it really was business as usual before a sellout crowd of 18,364 at the Spectrum last night.
Read more.
10.27.2008
Celtics Down Sixers in Athens-Sparta I
Green Takes Half-Game Lead over Doc Erving and Co
1981-82 Boston Celtics
Just call it a basic Churchill game. You know: blood, toil, tears and sweat. The whole bit.
It took work for the Celtics to defeat the 76ers last night, because the Philadelphians simply wouldn't give Boston the satisfaction of a blowout. The 76ers spent the last 43 minutes of the 111-103 Celtics ' triumph coming from behind.
Philly trailed by as many as 15 (65-50), without the ball, but it meant nothing. After coming within one (94-93) with 5:42 left, they dropped to a nine-point deficit (102-93) two and a half minutes later.
And yet the Celtics would need a clutch 21-foot looping jumper by Robert Parish with 41 seconds remaining to seal the victory. The 76ers were like an application of pine tar the Celtics just couldn't manage to wash off.
The game wasn't pretty by any standards, but it contained enough of the ingredients that generally characterize a Boston-Philadelphia confrontation to avoid any comparisons with Cleveland vs. Utah on St. Patrick's Day. After all, it is difficult for a game in which Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Robert Parish, Maurice Cheeks, Cedric Maxwell and Bobby Jones are participating to be a total mess.
But what makes Boston Boston and Philly Philly is the fact that, having named six quality performers sprinkled among the squad representatives, it doesn't mention all the worthy athletes.
The fact is that Boston wouldn't have won this game without the play of Tiny Archibald and Kevin McHale. Philadelphia, meanwhile, wouldn't have been in the game longer than 10 minutes were it not for Andrew Toney.
Archibald exchanged his 1981 playmaker's hat for his vintage 1973 shooting fedora in the second half, connecting on seven of seven from the floor at a time when the Celtics offense had apparently gone the PATCO route.
McHale, as is his wont, compressed 8 of his 18 points into the fourth period, six of them coming in a key run of eight unanswered points that provided the Celtics with a 102-93 lead with 3:13 left.
As for Toney, he had 24 points in 22 minutes before fouling out with 16 seconds remaining. He was as unfathomable as ever, continually sticking that jumper in the nostrils of defenders, one of whom was - how about this? - Larry Bird, Boy Swingman.
The basic impression gleaned from this game was that the Celtics should have cruised. They assumed control in the first period. After falling behind by an early 14-6 score, Boston went to work, grabbing the lead for the first time at 20-19 on the second Chris Ford three-point bomberoo in as many possessions.
Billy Cunningham must have gone to bed cursing that hokey rule, because in addition to those two, Ford had still another first-period trifecta (thus giving him an unforgettable 3-2-11 first period box score), while Larry Bird swished a fourth downtowner early in period two.
Throw in a dazzling Cedric Maxwell three-point drive (after swiping a Dr. J. dribble in the forecourt), and Boston just assaulted the visitors with big scoring plays in the first half, en route to a 63-50 lead.
When Parish swished a foul-line jumper 1:14 into the second half, the lead swelled to 65-50. Then came a key possession. Taking advantage of a Sixer miss, the Celtics swooped down for a fast-break basket that would boost the lead to 17. But Maxwell missed a layup, Ford clanked a hurried, shove-it- right-down-their-throats three-point follow-up and Maxwell missed a casual jump hook.
Lionel Hollins scored for Philly. Bird, who had 19 of his 25 in the first half, threw up a quick jumper and the Sixers ripped off a fast break. And another. And another. And, yes, following a Maurice Cheeks steal, another. That made it 10 straight in 2:06.
This is where Archibald started firing away, taking, as The Doc explained, "some shots you'd like him to take." But they all went in, off-balance, as two were, or not. At the end of three it was 82-76, Boston, and it was all thanks to Tiny.
Bird saw over eight minutes of guard duty in the final period, not only because it created a tough match-up (Hollins, for the most part), but also because it gave the Celtics safety in numbers on the glass. However, with 5:42 the lead was down to one (94-93) for the second time in the period following an Erving drive.
Enter McHale. A lane turnaround - swish. Another low post turnaround - swish. Archibald drifted away from a Rick Robey pick and canned a jumper to make the run six straight, whereupon Philly called time. Bird promptly stole the inbounds, and Robey lofted a perfect pass to the basket for a graceful McHale guide-in.
And yet Philly still had enough life remaining to make it interesting, closing to 106-103 with 1:06 to play before Parish broke their heart with his big jump shot, a play that began with seven seconds left on the 24 after the ball was knocked out of bounds. Can you imagine winning on a 21-foot jumper by a 7-footer two decades ago?
Oh, yeah. The Celtics are in first by half a game. That's the only appropriate margin separating these two titans.
1981-82 Boston Celtics
Just call it a basic Churchill game. You know: blood, toil, tears and sweat. The whole bit.
It took work for the Celtics to defeat the 76ers last night, because the Philadelphians simply wouldn't give Boston the satisfaction of a blowout. The 76ers spent the last 43 minutes of the 111-103 Celtics ' triumph coming from behind.
Philly trailed by as many as 15 (65-50), without the ball, but it meant nothing. After coming within one (94-93) with 5:42 left, they dropped to a nine-point deficit (102-93) two and a half minutes later.
And yet the Celtics would need a clutch 21-foot looping jumper by Robert Parish with 41 seconds remaining to seal the victory. The 76ers were like an application of pine tar the Celtics just couldn't manage to wash off.
The game wasn't pretty by any standards, but it contained enough of the ingredients that generally characterize a Boston-Philadelphia confrontation to avoid any comparisons with Cleveland vs. Utah on St. Patrick's Day. After all, it is difficult for a game in which Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Robert Parish, Maurice Cheeks, Cedric Maxwell and Bobby Jones are participating to be a total mess.
But what makes Boston Boston and Philly Philly is the fact that, having named six quality performers sprinkled among the squad representatives, it doesn't mention all the worthy athletes.
The fact is that Boston wouldn't have won this game without the play of Tiny Archibald and Kevin McHale. Philadelphia, meanwhile, wouldn't have been in the game longer than 10 minutes were it not for Andrew Toney.
Archibald exchanged his 1981 playmaker's hat for his vintage 1973 shooting fedora in the second half, connecting on seven of seven from the floor at a time when the Celtics offense had apparently gone the PATCO route.
McHale, as is his wont, compressed 8 of his 18 points into the fourth period, six of them coming in a key run of eight unanswered points that provided the Celtics with a 102-93 lead with 3:13 left.
As for Toney, he had 24 points in 22 minutes before fouling out with 16 seconds remaining. He was as unfathomable as ever, continually sticking that jumper in the nostrils of defenders, one of whom was - how about this? - Larry Bird, Boy Swingman.
The basic impression gleaned from this game was that the Celtics should have cruised. They assumed control in the first period. After falling behind by an early 14-6 score, Boston went to work, grabbing the lead for the first time at 20-19 on the second Chris Ford three-point bomberoo in as many possessions.
Billy Cunningham must have gone to bed cursing that hokey rule, because in addition to those two, Ford had still another first-period trifecta (thus giving him an unforgettable 3-2-11 first period box score), while Larry Bird swished a fourth downtowner early in period two.
Throw in a dazzling Cedric Maxwell three-point drive (after swiping a Dr. J. dribble in the forecourt), and Boston just assaulted the visitors with big scoring plays in the first half, en route to a 63-50 lead.
When Parish swished a foul-line jumper 1:14 into the second half, the lead swelled to 65-50. Then came a key possession. Taking advantage of a Sixer miss, the Celtics swooped down for a fast-break basket that would boost the lead to 17. But Maxwell missed a layup, Ford clanked a hurried, shove-it- right-down-their-throats three-point follow-up and Maxwell missed a casual jump hook.
Lionel Hollins scored for Philly. Bird, who had 19 of his 25 in the first half, threw up a quick jumper and the Sixers ripped off a fast break. And another. And another. And, yes, following a Maurice Cheeks steal, another. That made it 10 straight in 2:06.
This is where Archibald started firing away, taking, as The Doc explained, "some shots you'd like him to take." But they all went in, off-balance, as two were, or not. At the end of three it was 82-76, Boston, and it was all thanks to Tiny.
Bird saw over eight minutes of guard duty in the final period, not only because it created a tough match-up (Hollins, for the most part), but also because it gave the Celtics safety in numbers on the glass. However, with 5:42 the lead was down to one (94-93) for the second time in the period following an Erving drive.
Enter McHale. A lane turnaround - swish. Another low post turnaround - swish. Archibald drifted away from a Rick Robey pick and canned a jumper to make the run six straight, whereupon Philly called time. Bird promptly stole the inbounds, and Robey lofted a perfect pass to the basket for a graceful McHale guide-in.
And yet Philly still had enough life remaining to make it interesting, closing to 106-103 with 1:06 to play before Parish broke their heart with his big jump shot, a play that began with seven seconds left on the 24 after the ball was knocked out of bounds. Can you imagine winning on a 21-foot jumper by a 7-footer two decades ago?
Oh, yeah. The Celtics are in first by half a game. That's the only appropriate margin separating these two titans.
10.10.2018
Moses, Sixers Top Celtics in Double OT
November 7, 1982
Moses, Sixers Top Celtics in Double OT
There will be a steady diet of Spam - Cleveland in October, Indiana in November, Kansas City in December and Utah in January. But the prospect of five more Boston-Philly regular season matches and seven more in the Eastern Conference finals should be enough to satiate the competitive appetite of any pro basketball fan.
Moses, Sixers Top Celtics in Double OT
There will be a steady diet of Spam - Cleveland in October, Indiana in November, Kansas City in December and Utah in January. But the prospect of five more Boston-Philly regular season matches and seven more in the Eastern Conference finals should be enough to satiate the competitive appetite of any pro basketball fan.
12.05.2009
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.
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.
3.13.2009
Sixers Slow Celts
Celtics Fall to 12-3
1990-91 Boston Celtics
Remembering the 29-5 Start
Too much Charles.
The Celtics , 76ers and anyone else remotely associated with the NBA could have predicted a Charles Barkley explosion last night.
All the elements were in place. He had been ejected from a game the night before, the Celtics were in town, pride and manhood were at stake and those all added up to vintage Barkley.
The Philly Fridge dutifully produced. He had 37 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists and -- are you sitting down? -- only one foul (an offensive one at that) as the Sixers outlasted the Celtics, 116-110.
There were few complaints from the Boston locker room after this one, even though the defeat snapped an eight-game winning streak. The Celtics had rebounded from a sluggish first half and the game was tied, 96-96, with 6:32 left. On the road, against a quality team, what more could Chris Ford want?
How about some kryptonite to stop Barkley? Fittingly, Sir Charles chose that moment to break the tie for the last time with a dunk over approximately 17 Celtics. Then, he overpowered Larry Bird en route to a fast-break layup, leaving No. 33 on the floor.
The Celtics got within 2 (100-98) on a Reggie Lewis jumper, but Barkley fed Ron Anderson for a jumper and then finished off an 8-2 run in spectacular fashion with a driving reverse layup that hung on the rim long enough to elicit the maximum response from the first sellout crowd this season at the Spectrum.
The hoop made it 104-98 and the Celtics never got closer than 4 the rest of the way. In the closing minutes, Mike Gminski had two of his seven blocked shots (Manute Bol must be teaching the G-Man something) and Rickey Green (19 points) drove a couple of stakes through the Celtics with 7 points.
Ordinarily, it would be time now to turn to Barkley for some inflammatory trash, which he unfailingly delivers after such an epic performance. But the Sixers' quote machine is set on B-O-R-I-N-G until further notice (probably after Christmas) because he is upset with the local media for writing what he considered to be "bleep, bleep."
He may be jeopardizing his position on the All-Interview team, but he says now all cares about is "playing hard and making a lot of money." So what were his thoughts on this first clash between the Atlantic Division's Athens and Sparta?
"It was a good game between two good teams. We're trying to catch them so it was a good win. Have a happy holiday season," Barkley said.
Said Bird, "This was a big game and he was at home and you expect a great player to step forward. He dominated the game."
Barkley's underlings weren't too shabby, either. Hersey Hawkins had 24 and Anderson added 19. Kevin McHale led the Celtics with 29 and Robert Parish came up big (22 points, 15 rebounds), as Ford used only seven players in attempt to keep the streak going.
"You can't be totally disappointed," Ford said. "We came back. At 96-96, we had a chance to win the game. Then, they got some loose balls and made things happen and we didn't."
Ford had anticipated Barkley coming out strong. The Fridge had been given the heave-ho the night before in a tight game in Detroit for elbowing Dennis Rodman.
"Your only hope is that he has a bad game," Ford said. "But I knew he would come out strong and take it to us."
Barkley and Hawkins both were on target early as the Sixers built a 12-point lead. It was 58-48 at the half, but the Celtics opened the third with a 10-0 run to tie the game, as Lewis (18) took his turn and torched Hawkins with impunity.
Philly recovered to lead, 87-83, after three and pulled ahead by 7. But the Celtics managed to forge one final tie when, trailing, 96-91, Bird (15 points on 6-for-17, 11 rebounds, 9 assists) nailed a trey and Brian Shaw (20 points) scored on the break.
The Sixers were 2 for 10 in the quarter at that time and the Celtics actually missed a chance to take the lead. Then it was Barkley Time. Again.
1990-91 Boston Celtics
Remembering the 29-5 Start
Too much Charles.
The Celtics , 76ers and anyone else remotely associated with the NBA could have predicted a Charles Barkley explosion last night.
All the elements were in place. He had been ejected from a game the night before, the Celtics were in town, pride and manhood were at stake and those all added up to vintage Barkley.
The Philly Fridge dutifully produced. He had 37 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists and -- are you sitting down? -- only one foul (an offensive one at that) as the Sixers outlasted the Celtics, 116-110.
There were few complaints from the Boston locker room after this one, even though the defeat snapped an eight-game winning streak. The Celtics had rebounded from a sluggish first half and the game was tied, 96-96, with 6:32 left. On the road, against a quality team, what more could Chris Ford want?
How about some kryptonite to stop Barkley? Fittingly, Sir Charles chose that moment to break the tie for the last time with a dunk over approximately 17 Celtics. Then, he overpowered Larry Bird en route to a fast-break layup, leaving No. 33 on the floor.
The Celtics got within 2 (100-98) on a Reggie Lewis jumper, but Barkley fed Ron Anderson for a jumper and then finished off an 8-2 run in spectacular fashion with a driving reverse layup that hung on the rim long enough to elicit the maximum response from the first sellout crowd this season at the Spectrum.
The hoop made it 104-98 and the Celtics never got closer than 4 the rest of the way. In the closing minutes, Mike Gminski had two of his seven blocked shots (Manute Bol must be teaching the G-Man something) and Rickey Green (19 points) drove a couple of stakes through the Celtics with 7 points.
Ordinarily, it would be time now to turn to Barkley for some inflammatory trash, which he unfailingly delivers after such an epic performance. But the Sixers' quote machine is set on B-O-R-I-N-G until further notice (probably after Christmas) because he is upset with the local media for writing what he considered to be "bleep, bleep."
He may be jeopardizing his position on the All-Interview team, but he says now all cares about is "playing hard and making a lot of money." So what were his thoughts on this first clash between the Atlantic Division's Athens and Sparta?
"It was a good game between two good teams. We're trying to catch them so it was a good win. Have a happy holiday season," Barkley said.
Said Bird, "This was a big game and he was at home and you expect a great player to step forward. He dominated the game."
Barkley's underlings weren't too shabby, either. Hersey Hawkins had 24 and Anderson added 19. Kevin McHale led the Celtics with 29 and Robert Parish came up big (22 points, 15 rebounds), as Ford used only seven players in attempt to keep the streak going.
"You can't be totally disappointed," Ford said. "We came back. At 96-96, we had a chance to win the game. Then, they got some loose balls and made things happen and we didn't."
Ford had anticipated Barkley coming out strong. The Fridge had been given the heave-ho the night before in a tight game in Detroit for elbowing Dennis Rodman.
"Your only hope is that he has a bad game," Ford said. "But I knew he would come out strong and take it to us."
Barkley and Hawkins both were on target early as the Sixers built a 12-point lead. It was 58-48 at the half, but the Celtics opened the third with a 10-0 run to tie the game, as Lewis (18) took his turn and torched Hawkins with impunity.
Philly recovered to lead, 87-83, after three and pulled ahead by 7. But the Celtics managed to forge one final tie when, trailing, 96-91, Bird (15 points on 6-for-17, 11 rebounds, 9 assists) nailed a trey and Brian Shaw (20 points) scored on the break.
The Sixers were 2 for 10 in the quarter at that time and the Celtics actually missed a chance to take the lead. Then it was Barkley Time. Again.
8.12.2012
Dr. J Lifts Sixers over C's
November 2, 1980
PHILADELPHIA
Let us not get carried away. This game was not the re- creation of the Phoenix Triple OT. It was not one of the most artistic representations of basketball ever seen. It might not even rank among the Ten Most Memorable Games of 1980-81, when it's all said and done this season.
PHILADELPHIA
Let us not get carried away. This game was not the re- creation of the Phoenix Triple OT. It was not one of the most artistic representations of basketball ever seen. It might not even rank among the Ten Most Memorable Games of 1980-81, when it's all said and done this season.
10.08.2008
Rivalry Renewed?
The addition of Elton Brand has many Philadelphia 76er fans excited about the 2008-09 basketball season. Many of those fans are particularly excited about renewing the rivalry with their once hated nemesis, the Boston Celtics.
Celtics fans can certainly understand the excitement that comes with making a big off-season addition, but let’s not get too crazy about a renewed Celtics-Sixers rivalry just yet.
Last June we heard a lot of talk about the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 1980s. True, those two teams battled it out in three NBA Finals. But the purple and green only played each other twice during the regular season, and weren’t even rivals in the same conference, much less the same division.
Contrast that with the Celtics-Sixers rivalry of the 1980s.
They played each other four times in the Eastern Conference Finals between 1979 and 1985, and that was after battling it out all year long for the Atlantic Division crown and the best record in the Eastern Conference and the best record in basketball. As members of the same division, the Celtics and Sixers faced off six times every year during the regular season alone.
These were battles of two Titans. This wasn’t blue-collar, lunch-pale workers v. Showtime. This was Sparta v. Athens. King Kong v. Godzilla. Jefferson v. Adams. Hagler v. Hearns.
In 1980, the Celtics ended the season with the best record in basketball, but Philadelphia beat them in the ECFs, quite easily in fact, winning four games to one. The next year the Celtics again finished with the best record in basketball. The ECFs looked like they would be a carbon copy of the year before, with Philadelphia bolting to a 3-games-to-1 lead. But Boston rallied to win the next three games on their way to championship number 14. It was considered the biggest collapse in playoff history since, well, the Sixers blew a 3-1 over Boston in the 1960s.
The following year the Celtics again finished with the best record in basketball. The Conference Finals found Boston and Philadelphia pitted against each other for the third straight year. The Sixers wasted no time going up 3-1 over Boston. The Celtics then rallied to win the next two games. No one could believe their eyes. Could it be? Would the Sixers collapse two straight years after building what appeared to be an insurmountable lead?
No.
There would be no collapse in 1982. The Sixers won game 7 in Boston 120-106.
The 1982-83 season will always be remembered as the season of Moses Malone. The Sixers acquired Malone in the off-season, and Philadelphia cruised to the best record in the NBA during the regular season, and then only lost one game in the playoffs, barely missing out on fulfilling Malone’s prediction of three series sweeps.
Although the Celtics and Sixers didn’t face each other in the 1983 NBA playoffs, the following season was prefaced with one of the most memorable games in the history of either team, and, for that matter, in the history of the NBA. And it came in a mere exhibition game. The full story can be found here, but long-story short, the game witnessed two bench clearing brawls in the first five minutes, and before it was all over, Red Auerbach had come out of the stands to challenge Moses Malone to a fight.
“I wasn’t going to allow them to intimidate us in our building,” Auerbach later said.
I guess Red wasn’t too happy about the Sixers' success the season before. Oh, and by the way, the Celtics went on to win tow out of the next three NBA titles, and the Celtics-Sixers rivalry slowly faded into the sunset.
Even this brief history doesn't do justice to the rivalry. No mention is made of Russell-Chamberlain. No mention is made of Andrew Toney, the Boston Strangler, or Dennis Johnson, who was acquired in large part to neutralize Toney. No mention is made of the Larry Bird-Julius Erving tussle when the two NBA ambassadors came to near blows after Bird saw fit to taunt Erving with a single phrase he kept repeating over and over.
"42-5."
It seems that in the final seconds of that game, Larry thought Julius should know that Bird had tallied 42 points for the night while Erving had managed only 5.
So, my friends in Philadelphia, let's not get too worked up with talk about a renewed Celtics-Sixers rivalry.
Us old folks saw the rivalry at its peak, and the chances of recreating it and sustaining it over a similar period of time are pretty close to nil.
Celtics fans can certainly understand the excitement that comes with making a big off-season addition, but let’s not get too crazy about a renewed Celtics-Sixers rivalry just yet.
Last June we heard a lot of talk about the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 1980s. True, those two teams battled it out in three NBA Finals. But the purple and green only played each other twice during the regular season, and weren’t even rivals in the same conference, much less the same division.
Contrast that with the Celtics-Sixers rivalry of the 1980s.
They played each other four times in the Eastern Conference Finals between 1979 and 1985, and that was after battling it out all year long for the Atlantic Division crown and the best record in the Eastern Conference and the best record in basketball. As members of the same division, the Celtics and Sixers faced off six times every year during the regular season alone.
These were battles of two Titans. This wasn’t blue-collar, lunch-pale workers v. Showtime. This was Sparta v. Athens. King Kong v. Godzilla. Jefferson v. Adams. Hagler v. Hearns.
In 1980, the Celtics ended the season with the best record in basketball, but Philadelphia beat them in the ECFs, quite easily in fact, winning four games to one. The next year the Celtics again finished with the best record in basketball. The ECFs looked like they would be a carbon copy of the year before, with Philadelphia bolting to a 3-games-to-1 lead. But Boston rallied to win the next three games on their way to championship number 14. It was considered the biggest collapse in playoff history since, well, the Sixers blew a 3-1 over Boston in the 1960s.
The following year the Celtics again finished with the best record in basketball. The Conference Finals found Boston and Philadelphia pitted against each other for the third straight year. The Sixers wasted no time going up 3-1 over Boston. The Celtics then rallied to win the next two games. No one could believe their eyes. Could it be? Would the Sixers collapse two straight years after building what appeared to be an insurmountable lead?
No.
There would be no collapse in 1982. The Sixers won game 7 in Boston 120-106.
The 1982-83 season will always be remembered as the season of Moses Malone. The Sixers acquired Malone in the off-season, and Philadelphia cruised to the best record in the NBA during the regular season, and then only lost one game in the playoffs, barely missing out on fulfilling Malone’s prediction of three series sweeps.
Although the Celtics and Sixers didn’t face each other in the 1983 NBA playoffs, the following season was prefaced with one of the most memorable games in the history of either team, and, for that matter, in the history of the NBA. And it came in a mere exhibition game. The full story can be found here, but long-story short, the game witnessed two bench clearing brawls in the first five minutes, and before it was all over, Red Auerbach had come out of the stands to challenge Moses Malone to a fight.
“I wasn’t going to allow them to intimidate us in our building,” Auerbach later said.
I guess Red wasn’t too happy about the Sixers' success the season before. Oh, and by the way, the Celtics went on to win tow out of the next three NBA titles, and the Celtics-Sixers rivalry slowly faded into the sunset.
Even this brief history doesn't do justice to the rivalry. No mention is made of Russell-Chamberlain. No mention is made of Andrew Toney, the Boston Strangler, or Dennis Johnson, who was acquired in large part to neutralize Toney. No mention is made of the Larry Bird-Julius Erving tussle when the two NBA ambassadors came to near blows after Bird saw fit to taunt Erving with a single phrase he kept repeating over and over.
"42-5."
It seems that in the final seconds of that game, Larry thought Julius should know that Bird had tallied 42 points for the night while Erving had managed only 5.
So, my friends in Philadelphia, let's not get too worked up with talk about a renewed Celtics-Sixers rivalry.
Us old folks saw the rivalry at its peak, and the chances of recreating it and sustaining it over a similar period of time are pretty close to nil.
3.09.2013
Dr. J Lifts Sixers to W
November 2, 1980
PHILADELPHIA
Let us not get carried away. This game was not the re- creation of the Phoenix Triple OT. It was not one of the most artistic representations of basketball ever seen. It might not even rank among the Ten Most Memorable Games of 1980-81, when it's all said and done this season.
5.02.2012
1980 Atlantic Division: Sparta v. Athens
March 7, 1980
There will be, of course, just one honest-to-God must game played this season between these two teams, and that will be the seventh game of the Eastern Conference finals.So what will take place before the 11th consecutive (and 25th overall) Boston Garden capacity crowd of 15,320 this evening will be something less than Armageddon, but, nontheless, something more than an October exhibition game in Cinnaminson, N.J. Tonight's Celtics-76ers clash (Ch. 4, WBZ, 7:30) will pit two ancient rivals who just happen to own the two best records in the NBA, but that's only part of the scenario.
There will be, of course, just one honest-to-God must game played this season between these two teams, and that will be the seventh game of the Eastern Conference finals.So what will take place before the 11th consecutive (and 25th overall) Boston Garden capacity crowd of 15,320 this evening will be something less than Armageddon, but, nontheless, something more than an October exhibition game in Cinnaminson, N.J. Tonight's Celtics-76ers clash (Ch. 4, WBZ, 7:30) will pit two ancient rivals who just happen to own the two best records in the NBA, but that's only part of the scenario.
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