The Boston Celtics went 3-1 against the Philadelphia 76ers this season. The Sixers erased a double-digit deficit on March 20th at home to defeat Boston by a final score of 118-115.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge understands how talented the Sixers are.

Ainge talked about that March 20th game, citing how his Celtics had an 18-point lead and then blew it.

“I mean, Philly is a very, very good basketball team and we went in there and had a lead late in the fourth quarter, and we just weren’t able to pull it off and we lost a one-possession game and then we had an 18 point lead through 40 minutes of the game and we went into a drought where we couldn’t score,” Danny Ainge said, via John Karalis of Mass Live.

“I don’t consider it flipping the switch because a lot of really good basketball being played, we just have moments where we have struggled and we have lost leads. I’m not diminishing that, I’m just saying our guys have done some really good things in spite of being, you know, in the Philly game three of our key guys weren’t playing.”

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
image thumbnail
Celtics legend Paul Pierce gets last laugh with Knicks callout after ECF lossOwen Crisafulli ·
image thumbnail
Clippers trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·
Cavaliers' guard Darius Garland with Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle - NBA trade rumors and scenarios
Timberwolves’ Darius Garland trade headlines 4 intriguing scenarios before NBA DraftBrett Siegel ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
Colin Cowherd shades Jayson Tatum with ‘alpha’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takeMalik Brown ·
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
ESPN analyst floats Celtics as Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spotZachary Draves ·
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) controls the ball while LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) defends during the second half at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Clippers eyeing Jrue Holiday trade after past loss to CelticsDaniel Donabedian ·

The Sixers, Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks are the four teams many believe have the best chance to come out of the Eastern Conference and challenge the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Everyone is hoping the Sixers and Celtics face off in the playoffs again like last season.

The two teams have developed a nice rivalry.