A complete Game 7 history for Sixers before matchup with Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers will head back to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The winner will head to the Eastern Conference finals and continue on their journey for an NBA championship.
The Sixers have not gotten past Round 2 since the Allen Iverson days of 2001 while the Celtics have reached the conference finals four times since 2017. Sunday promises to be another whirlwind of twists and turns as the Sixers look to finally advance past the semifinals.
In this franchise’s history, the Sixers have competed in 17 Game 7s. They went 1-2 when they were still the Syracuse Nationals and they are 5-9 as the Sixers. In this edition, Sixers Wire will focus on just the 14 Game 7s as the Sixers.
2021 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Atlanta Hawks
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Of course, this game will always be remembered for the pass Ben Simmons made underneath the basket late in the fourth quarter. That was a game-changer as the Hawks went on to win the game, and therefore the series, 103-96. Joel Embiid had 31 points and 11 rebounds.
2019 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Toronto Raptors
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Another heartbreaker for the Sixers. After Jimmy Butler tied the game at 90 with a layup with 4.2 seconds left, the Raptors got a miracle shot from Kawhi Leonard at the buzzer. Leonard faded into the corner and just threw it up over Embiid and it danced on the rim before dropping to give Toronto a 92-90 win. The Raptors went on to win the title that season.
2012 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Boston Celtics
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As the No. 8 seed, the Sixers gave the heavily favored Celtics all they could handle. Andre Iguodala had 18 points, Jrue Holiday had 15 points, nine assists, and five steals, and Elton Brand had 15. However, the Celtics received a triple-double from Rajon Rondo to earn an 85-75 win.
2001 Eastern Conference finals vs. Milwaukee Bucks
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With a chance to reach the finals on the line at home, Allen Iverson delivered 44 points on 17-for-33 shooting to lead the Sixers to a 108-91 win over the Bucks. The league MVP was terrific and Philadelphia was able to earn its spot in the finals.
2001 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Raptors
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This wasn’t a strong game for Iverson as he shot just 8-for-27 for 21 points, but Dikembe Mutombo delivered 22 big points in order to help the Sixers earn an 88-87 win over Vince Carter and the Raptors. This was the last time Philadelphia reached the conference finals.
1986 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Bucks
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
The Sixers, toward the end of the Julius Erving era, gave the Bucks all they could handle on the road, but they fell 113-112. Erving shot just 6-for-17 and the Bucks received 27 points from Terry Cummings, 24 points from Craig Hodges, and 23 from Sidney Moncrief.
1982 Eastern Conference finals vs. Celtics
AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
This was the game that Andrew Toney earned the nickname “The Boston Strangler”. Toney delivered 34 points on the road to lead the Sixers to a 120-106 win over the Celtics on the road in Game 7 and guide Philadelphia to the finals. Erving had 29 points and three blocks to chip in.
1981 Eastern Conference finals vs. Celtics
AP Photo/Clem Murray
1981 was a different story as the Celtics squeaked out a 91-90 win over the Sixers in Game 7 to reach the finals. Celtics legend Larry Bird had 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and five steals to lead Boston to the NBA finals.
1981 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Bucks
AP Photo/Steve Pyle
Another instant classic Game 7 ended with the Sixers earning a 99-98 win over the Bucks at home. Erving delivered 28 points, seven rebounds, and six blocks in order to lead the Sixers to an impressive win.
1979 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. San Antonio Spurs
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The Spurs, led by George Gervin, knocked off the Sixers 111-108 at home. Gervin had 33 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists while Larry Kenon added 27 points to lead the Spurs to the victory. Erving had 34 points and eight rebounds to lead the Sixers.
1977 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Celtics
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The Sixers were in a slugfest with their hated rival in 1977. Erving struggled for Philadelphia as he shot just 6-for-19 for 14 points, but World B. Free hopped off the bench and poured in 27 points to lead the Sixers to an 83-77 win over the Cs.
1971 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets
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The Sixers received 37 points from Archie Clark and 30 points from Billy Cunningham, but the Sixers fell to the Bullets 128-120. Baltimore received 33 points and 16 rebounds out of Jack Marin and 19 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists from Gus Johnson.
1968 East Division finals vs. Celtics
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This game featured two of the titans in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain for the Sixers and Bill Russell for the Celtics. Chamberlain only had 14 points, but he pulled down 34 rebounds and Russell had 12 points and 26 rebounds as Boston walked away with a 100-96 win. John Havlicek had 21 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.
1965 East Division finals vs. Celtics
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Chamberlain delivered 30 points and 32 rebounds, Chet Walker had 24 points, Dave Gambee had 25, and Hal Greer had 12, but the Celtics earned the 110-109 win at home. Sam Jones had 37 for Boston while Bill Russell had 15 and 29 rebounds.
