Introduction
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have a long-standing rivalry that dates back to the 1960s. This rivalry has seen some of the greatest players in NBA history go head-to-head, including Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Julius Erving. In recent years, the rivalry has been renewed with both teams boasting young, talented rosters. Let’s take a closer look at the history of this rivalry and what we can expect from future matchups.
The Early Years
The Celtics and 76ers first met in the playoffs in 1953, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that their rivalry truly began. The Celtics, led by Bill Russell, dominated the Eastern Conference during this time, winning eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966. The 76ers, on the other hand, were led by Wilt Chamberlain and were always a threat to the Celtics’ reign.
The two teams met in the playoffs for the first time in 1965, with the Celtics winning the series in seven games. They would meet again in the playoffs the following year, with the 76ers getting revenge and defeating the Celtics in five games. The rivalry was officially born, and it would only get more intense from there.
The Bird-Erving Era
The next chapter in the Celtics-76ers rivalry came in the 1980s, when Larry Bird and Julius Erving were the faces of their respective teams. The two teams met in the playoffs five times during the decade, with the Celtics winning three of those series. The most memorable matchup between the two teams came in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, when the Celtics defeated the 76ers in seven games. The series is remembered for the iconic play in which Bird stole an inbound pass and fed it to Dennis Johnson for the game-winning layup.
The Present Day
The Celtics and 76ers have once again become two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics, led by All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker, have made the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020. The 76ers, led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, have made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, but have yet to make it past the second round.
The two teams last met in the playoffs in 2018, with the Celtics winning the series in five games. The series was notable for the emergence of Tatum, who averaged 23.6 points per game and led the Celtics in scoring throughout the series.
The Future
With both teams boasting young, talented rosters, the rivalry between the Celtics and 76ers is sure to continue for years to come. The Celtics have a strong core in Tatum, Brown, and Marcus Smart, while the 76ers are hoping that Embiid and Simmons can lead them to a championship. The two teams will likely meet in the playoffs again in the near future, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Conclusion
The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most storied in NBA history. From the battles between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s to the showdowns between Larry Bird and Julius Erving in the 1980s, this rivalry has produced some of the greatest moments in basketball history. With both teams once again among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the future looks bright for this historic rivalry.
