Philadelphia (5-9) at Boston (10-4)

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  • Game info: 7:30 pm EST Wed Nov 25, 2009
  • TV: TCN, CSNE
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Paul Pierce(notes) says the Boston Celtics are still a work in progress. If that’s the case, the Philadelphia 76ers probably have no desire to see the finished product.

On Wednesday night, the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics seek to continue their recent dominance of a Philadelphia club trying to end its longest losing streak of the young season.

Boston (10-4) opened the season by winning its first six games and eight of its first nine, but had dropped three of four before bouncing back in dramatic fashion Sunday at New York. The Celtics beat the Knicks 107-105 in overtime when Kevin Garnett(notes) hit a jumper at the buzzer. Garnett shot just 4 for 15 during a subpar performance by his standards, but Paul Pierce didn’t hesitate to feed him the ball for the final shot.

“He’s that type of player,” Pierce said. “You’re talking about a Hall of Fame player. He’s missed millions of shots. He’s going to keep playing, going to keep taking shots when he gets an opportunity. He really stepped up big for our team when we needed it.”

Pierce stepped up all game, scoring a season-high 33 points including all seven of the Celtics’ points in overtime prior to Garnett’s buzzer-beater. Kendrick Perkins(notes) added 16 points - also a season high - and 13 rebounds as six Boston players scored in double figures.

“We played better today. Not the way we’d like to, of course, but better,” Pierce said. “We’re going to build on that. We’re still a work in progress.”

If the Celtics can still improve, that would be ominous news for the Sixers (5-9). Boston has beaten Philadelphia five straight times, including a 105-74 romp at the Wachovia Center on Nov. 3 that remains the Sixers’ most lopsided defeat of the season. The Celtics shot 56.9 percent in that contest, and have scored at least 100 points in each game of the streak while holding Philadelphia below the century mark each time.

“They are veterans and we know they know how to play together,” Sixers forward Thaddeus Young(notes) said of the Celtics after the meeting earlier this month.

Philadelphia has lost three straight for the first time this season, and will now try to avoid a winless three-game road trip. After losing 97-91 at Cleveland on Saturday, the Sixers fell 108-107 at Washington on Tuesday night as their comeback attempt fell short. They rallied from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to pull within one on Louis Williams’(notes) layup with 40 seconds remaining, but Williams missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer as the final buzzer sounded.

Williams finished with a team-high 26 points while Young added 23. Andre Iguodala(notes), whose 17 points led Philadelphia against the Celtics on Nov. 3, struggled to finish with 12 on Tuesday as he missed 8 of 10 shots from the field.

The Sixers return home to face Atlanta on Friday before returning to the road for four games. The Celtics host Toronto on Friday, then embark on a four-game trip of their own.

Updated Nov 24, 11:37 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Philadelphia 20-31 3rd Atlantic / 10th East 98.0 99.7 Road 11-15 Won 5 7-3
Boston 32-17 1st Atlantic / 4th East 99.0 93.7 Home 15-9 Lost 1 5-5

19 Comments

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    The Boston Keltics Thu Nov 26, 2009 02:31 pm PST Report Abuse
    Anyone read nba.com's power rankings? It says that KG is favoring his knee, its only a matter of time until he reinjurs it again, hopefuly towards the playoffs like last year. GO HAWKS, GO!
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    Isukatthis Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:00 am PST Report Abuse
    It's sad how many Boston haters come her to talk bunk, after Boston just won a close game and are 11-4. They are right up there in the east as expected. Trash talk? Just because they aren't blowing people out doesn't mean anything. You ever hear of teams playing better teams tougher? GO WARRIORS!!! ELLIS IS DA MAN!!!!
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    Jazzinefx Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:21 am PST Report Abuse
    When your "star" gets 9 rebounds, and your "center" get 4 points, what chance do you have? Like I said, the so-called "star" is concerned with assists, when he should be SCORING and REBOUNDING!!!

    Andre the phony A.I., is the worst "star" the Sixers ever had!! He says he wants to be known as the greatest athelete who ever played in Philly, yeah right!!! He's going to make us forget about Hal Greer, Wilt Chamberlain, Chet Walker, Wally Jones, Luke Jackson, Doug Collins, Billy Cunningham, Dr. J, Charles Barkely, Mo Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Hershey Hawkins, Moses Malone, Allen Iverson, (the real A.I.), Freddie Carter, Bobby Jones, George McGinnis!! Yeah RIGHHHHTTTT!!! GET LOST LOSER!!!

    Until you bust your ass like this men did, Andre, you'll NEVER be anything but a 4th string player in 76er history!!! And get rid of this LOUSY COACH!!!! Eddie Jordan is a Career LOSER!!!!
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    bluemoon Thu Nov 26, 2009 09:25 am PST Report Abuse
    27 3points shot that is crazy , why not go for a higher percentage shots like a 2 points or a 2 point piantpoint !no wonder boston having a tough time beating the lowly team they miss all thier 3 points shots , why would boston want to relie on 3points shot , just baffy me , they got so much talent they should be using thieir talent instead trying for low percentage shot like the 3points shot , it just doin't make sense, until they get through to thier head that they can't t relie on 3 point shot to win games , they will strugle this year , and they won't beat able to beat the best team in the east or west, you live by the 3 point you die by the 3 points , what a shame itr boston don't need 3 points shot to win the games, boston ceitic is a sorry sight now ! they play catch ball like they did all last year right through the playoffs , we all know what happen last year , they did not make it to the finals
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    believeme Thu Nov 26, 2009 04:45 am PST Report Abuse
    Give a little credit to Philly...they shot 13for20 on the threes and most were contested. If they do that every game they would be a playoff team. They probably can't but they did last night. 13 for 20!!! Does anyone want to say it was the C's defense. I don't think so!!! Just one of those hot nights.
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    believeme Thu Nov 26, 2009 04:42 am PST Report Abuse
    The C's looked very very tough to start the season. The only difference I see is that the 3's haven't been dropping. Very soon they will and they will go off on another streak. If they shot league average on 3's for the last six games they would have won all but one of them. And there is not another team in the league who wouldn't have the same problem if they were missing their 3's. Some can't win at all.
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    The man your mom loves Thu Nov 26, 2009 03:28 am PST Report Abuse
    Oh how you all love to hate
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    Melissa Thu Nov 26, 2009 01:20 am PST Report Abuse
    “I played him way too many minutes, but that happens once in a while. ...."

    OF COURSE YOU HAD TO PLAY HIM THAT MANY MINUTES! OTHERWISE YOU'LL LOSE! IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE UP BY 30! LOOK AT THE SCORE DOC! LOOK AT THE SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ".....I told him I’d make it up to him with a 25-minute game somewhere down the road.”

    THE PROBLEM WITH TODAY'S ATHLETES: "PAY ME MORE! PLAY ME LESS!" .... AND SADLY, THE COACHES OBLIGE.
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    stinka p Wed Nov 25, 2009 09:47 pm PST Report Abuse
    After a couple of years of being punked by the Celtics, most teams are hip to their bowlsheet style of play and have re-adjusted their own style so the Celtics are going to be in for a lot of dog fights this year. It's kind of like getting sucker punched, it works as long as you're not expecting it but the next time around you are ready and expecting the cheap shots. I highly doubt the Celtics are going to be able to hold up until the finals. Let's hope they do, They Lakers want their shot at a fair fight against those punks.
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    Roman Wed Nov 25, 2009 09:38 pm PST Report Abuse
    Where's Andrew Toney when you need him?????
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    martin s Wed Nov 25, 2009 09:30 pm PST Report Abuse
    celtics dont look like the last two years --played to win--this year so far--no intensity, no defense, no consistency on offense---what the hack did they do on offseason to deteriate like this?????
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    Jesse P Wed Nov 25, 2009 09:22 pm PST Report Abuse
    I can't believe that KG isn't looking healthy, Boston's looking old in general and that great addition of Sheed is looking like a huge flop. Oh wait, I can believe it because I predicted it before the season started. Boston sucks, have fun in the 4th seed or possibly the 5th. Crap a$$ team thinks they're entitled to win. This is the last year you'll reach even 50 wins.
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    Ronnie G Wed Nov 25, 2009 08:19 pm PST Report Abuse
    philly always plays boston tough, the celtics are an older team and when big baby gets back that is going to be a huge lift for that team.
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    Create Wonders Wed Nov 25, 2009 08:07 pm PST Report Abuse
    Well.... this A.I. sure isn't like our old A.I. , At least Iverson could win with scrubs!
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    bluemoon Wed Nov 25, 2009 07:41 pm PST Report Abuse
    Another 100 plus point allow in the game what happen to allowing 85 points a game,por poor p0or defence
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    bluemoon Wed Nov 25, 2009 07:39 pm PST Report Abuse
    Boston having a tough time beating bad team another under500 team giving boston a run, almost lost again , this is getting scary 27 3point shot, 27 x 3= 81 point hit 7 of 27 = 21 points left 60 point on the table. if they shot 13 3 point shot and and the other 14 shot went for 2 points they would havee add 28 point to the score, they would have won the game easly allowing 110 point in this game another poor poor poor defence game , come on kg and doc get the whole team playing defence!
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    blu Wed Nov 25, 2009 07:32 pm PST Report Abuse
    the sixers suck, they have all over -rated players who have not hit the big time yet. they gave a bunch of money to players who are just average. no super stars. jordan is doing good for what he got.
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    KennethY Wed Nov 25, 2009 03:54 pm PST Report Abuse
    Eddie Jordan needs to realize that his team NEEDS TO REBOUND and DEFEND. Who's their best rebounder and defender? Elton Brand. Hopefully, the hamstring won't keep him out too long but he's by far their best rebounder and defender. They need to focus on defense and rebounding if they want to make the playoffs this year.
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    Brian W Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:35 pm PST Report Abuse
    eddie jordan needs to wake up and smell the coffee, jrue needs to be in the game and get around 20 minutes, he's playing well and he can get us 3s, what's the point of a rookie player if he is not used for what hes worth, hopefully kopono is good to go, and im gonna say this again, can we achieve a goal of out-REBOUNDING the celtics, cmon guys we need a win, lets show them whose boss tonite, Go Sixers!

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