Celtics at 76ers
THE STORY: Separated by only one-half game in the Atlantic Division, the Boston Celtics can jump from seventh to fourth in the Eastern Conference if they can find a way around the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. The 76ers are slumping a bit but will always have the memory of the last time they faced the Celtics, and made a statement with a 103-71 beat down. Boston has won five of eight since that game.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CS New England (Celtics), CS Philadelphia (76ers)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (25-21): Boston was on the second night of a back-to-back and riding a five-game winning streak when it hit Philadelphia on March 7. The Celtics proceeded to shoot 35 percent as they were thoroughly demolished. This time, Boston will not only be coming in on the second night of a back-to-back but the final game of an eight-stop road trip. The Celtics are 4-3 on the trip and have won two straight, taking a defensive slugfest in Atlanta on Monday and putting up a strong effort in a 100-91 triumph at Milwaukee on Thursday. The most consistent player has been Rajon Rondo, who has hit double figures in assists in each of the last seven games, averaging 12.7.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (26-21): Philadelphia still leads the NBA in scoring defense but has struggled on the other end. Losers of four of five, the 76ers have averaged 82.8 points in their last four losses. The low point came Wednesday, when Philadelphia failed to foul in the final seconds and suffered an 82-79 home loss to the New York Knicks. The recent run has left the 76ers with no cushion in the Atlantic. Evan Turner, who scored a career-high 26 points in the March 7 win over the Celtics, was held to two points on 1-of-7 shooting Wednesday and has shot 6 for 26 in the last three games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Boston forward Paul Pierce broke out of a shooting slump Thursday, going 10 for 15 from the floor. He had not reached 50 percent in any of the previous six contests.
2. The Celtics are close to signing former Cleveland center Ryan Hollins.
3. After Friday, Philadelphia finishes the season with 12 of its last 18 on the road.