One thing that is certain to motivate the Sixers in Saturday's Game 7 with Boston is that winning the game would not only propel them into the Eastern Conference finals, but it would most likely end the Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce era of playing together.
Pierce has been a lifelong Celtic ever since Boston made him the 10th pick in the 1998 draft out of Kansas. However, the Celtics acquired both Allen and Garnett in the span of a week during the summer before the 2007-08 season.
The acquisitions resulted in a pair of trips to the NBA Finals, one culminating in a championship; two Eastern Conference championships, and five consecutive Atlantic Division crowns.
However, Allen and Garnett are unrestricted free agents this summer and one or both may not return next season.
"You hear a lot about 'This could be the last time,' " Sixers forward Elton Brand said Friday. "You never know. You never know what's going to happen if that's true. But it would be a great feat for us to beat them, with the Philly-Boston rivalry over the years. Why not us, if it can happen?"
Lou Williams has yet to enjoy one of his typical breakout games in this series, but he's received plenty of respect from the Celtics defenders.
"[Rajon] Rondo was guarding him the other night and Rondo was wanting to help off a little bit and Doc [Rivers] was yelling for him to stay on Lou," Sixers coach Doug Collins said.
Williams, who led the team in scoring (14.9 points per game), is averaging 10.8 points in this series on 35.3 percent shooting, including just 4 for 18 from beyond the arc.
Sixers guard Evan Turner is averaging 8.7 rebounds this series and a team-high 7.5 in the Sixers' 12 postseason games. According to the Sixers, the 7.5 average is highest of any guard in the postseason.
With the Sixers down three games to two heading into Wednesday's Game 6, guard Jrue Holiday termed it "the end of the world."
So now that the Sixers have forced a deciding matchup following Wednesday's 82-75 win, Holiday was asked what he would call Game 7.
"End of the world II," he replied.
Celtics guard Avery Bradley, one of the top defensive players in the league, had season-ending shoulder surgery on Friday. Celtics coach Doc Rivers made the announcement before practice.
Staff writer Marc Narducci contributed to this article.
