A civic rivalry that dates back to the Revolutionary War era came of age on the basketball court with Wilt Chamberlain leading the Philadelphia Warriors, and later the 76ers, against Bill Russell's Celtics in the 1960s. Larry Bird and Julius Erving picked it up in the 1980s.
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Celtics forward Marcus Morris, a Philadelphia native, grew up watching the Allen Iverson-led 76ers that went to the NBA Finals in 2001 but lost to Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker's Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals the following year.
He's not expecting any favours from his hometown crowd.
"I'm expecting the same treatment as far as them not even caring that I'm from Philadelphia," Morris said after practice on Sunday, a day after the Celtics advanced by eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their first-round series. "I really don't care either, when I'm competing against them."
The franchises have met 19 times in the playoffs (though only three times in the past 33 years), with Boston holding a 12-7 edge.
Two years after winning just 10 games, the rebuilding "Process" is paying off for the 76ers.
Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 before missing all of last season, averaged 18.2 points and 10.6 rebounds against the Heat – both improvements over his regular-season numbers.
Embiid, the third overall pick in 2014, returned after missing the first two games of the playoffs and averaged 18.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in three wins over Miami.
"They're super-talented," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "That's what happens when you're in the NBA playoffs. It's fun."
Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons of Australia holds the ball away from Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade.
Photo: Chris Szagola
The Celtics held Milwaukee's star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to zero fast break points in Game 7 of their first-round series.
They know that transition defence will also be a key against Philadelphia, which was one of the best in the NBA on the break.
"In transition, they just make you pay," Celtics centre Al Horford said. "They just present a whole different challenge."
Stevens said guard Jaylen Brown still had some soreness from a hamstring injury he sustained in Game 7 and is doubtful for Game 1 against the Sixers.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Brown averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season. He said on Saturday he would be back.
"Whatever it takes, I wouldn't miss this series for the world," Brown said.
The Celtics are already without stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, as well as Daniel Theis.
AAP
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