Celtics Edge 76ers In Overtime Thriller As Rivalry Heats Up

Celtics Edge 76ers In Overtime Thriller As Rivalry Heats Up...

The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-110 in a dramatic overtime showdown Wednesday night, reigniting one of the NBA's fiercest rivalries. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 34 points, including the game-winning fadeaway with 1.2 seconds left in OT at TD Garden.

The matchup is trending nationally as it carried major playoff implications. Both teams entered the game separated by just 1.5 games in the Eastern Conference standings, with the 76ers (42-20) now falling to third place behind Boston (43-19).

Joel Embiid posted 38 points and 14 rebounds for Philadelphia but missed a potential tying layup at the buzzer. The 76ers have lost three straight to Boston this season, adding fuel to the historic rivalry between the two Atlantic Division foes.

Fans flooded social media with reactions to the nail-biting finish. The game peaked at 4.2 million viewers on ESPN, making it the most-watched NBA regular season game this month. Ticket resale prices for their next meeting on March 20 in Philadelphia have already doubled.

The intensity spilled over postgame when 76ers coach Doc Rivers criticized officials for not calling a foul on Embiid's final attempt. The NBA Last Two Minute Report, released Thursday morning, confirmed no missed calls on the play.

With both teams jockeying for playoff positioning, the rivalry has gained renewed relevance. The Celtics and 76ers have met 21 times in the postseason since 1953, including last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals won by Boston in six games.

Next up, the Celtics host the Nets on Friday while the 76ers visit the Knicks. Their final regular season matchup could determine critical tiebreakers for homecourt advantage in what many predict will be another playoff collision.