The Philadelphia 76ers finished the same way they started at home this season. After their home-opening victory over the Heat, the Sixers finished with a home-closing victory over the Celtics, 113-108.
It would be more significant if not for what took place in between those two games. Included in the home schedule this season was an 18-game losing streak at home that narrowly missed an NBA record.
This game was a battle of two tanks going at it, and the home team gave their home crowd a victory that has been few and far between. To understand how much of a tank-fest this was, look no further than the 66 points scored in the game’s first 12 minutes. There were so many misses that Michael Carter-Williams had six rebounds in the first quarter.
A 67-point first half was just enough to put the Sixers past Boston on Monday night. Seven Sixers (seriously) scored nine points or more to put on an offensive display for the loyal fans that stuck by the team all season.
Carter-Williams played his final game as a rookie on the Wells Fargo floor and made it count with 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Two runs of 22-9 and 28-8 fueled the Sixers to victory.
Boston, who trailed by 19 points, would make a game out of it by getting within two points several times. They could not overtake the Sixers, who won their third game in four meetings with Boston.
Kelly Olynyk led Boston with 28 points. He was one of three Celtics to score 23 points or more. The Celtics did not get much help elsewhere, though, as they were without Jared Sullinger and Kris Humphries.
By winning three of four, Philadelphia wins its first season series against their longtime rivals since 2006-07, the year before Boston acquired the “Big Three” en route to a championship. Three of Philadelphia’s overall four wins since Jan. 29 came against the Celtics.
