Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers prove they can beat Boston Celtics if needed in playoffs

By Dan Parzych

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket on Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket on Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers came up big when needed the most on Wednesday by defeating the Boston Celtics

Over the last two years, words can’t even describe how frustrating it’s been for the most part to watch the Philadelphia 76ers struggle the way they have when facing the Boston Celtics.

For reasons that are difficult to explain, the Sixers just haven’t been able to figure out a way to get by the Celtics when it matters the most over the last two seasons, but hopefully Wednesday’s win was a sign of better things ahead.

Even though it was ugly at times, and fans on Twitter were losing their minds at times calling for Brett Brown to be fired, Philadelphia made a huge statement by handing Boston a 118-115 loss, their sixth win in a row.

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Between fighting back from a 15-point deficit at one point in the first half to Jimmy Butler putting up 15 points in the fourth quarter, including an amazing dagger by hitting a key jumper with less than five seconds remaining, this was a hard-fought win for the Sixers.

Most importantly, the extra rest by Joel Embiid from Tuesday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets paid off in a big way after the star center dropped 37 points to go along with 22 rebounds, making a strong case for his post-game comments over being unstoppable for opponents.

Normally, a win during the regular season wouldn’t seem like that big of a deal for a team like Philadelphia, but there’s more to the story than just the fact they finally came through against Boston.

With the Sixers currently sitting in great position to earn the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the last thing Brett Brown wanted to see happen with his team is allow the Celtics to make the race a little more interesting in these final few weeks.

After losing the way they did in the semifinals a year ago to their rivals, home-court advantage is going to be more important than ever for Philadelphia to put the team in the best position possible, especially if they run into Boston again.

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When looking at how this rivalry is back in full swing thanks to the Sixers being serious contenders again in the Eastern Conference, Wednesday’s win over the Celtics was a huge statement for Brown’s squad, and will hopefully provide some extra confidence moving forward.