Classic Photos of Celtics-76ers Rivalry

SI Staff | May 15, 2012

Classic Photos of Celtics-76ers Rivalry /

Classic Photos of Celtics-76ers Rivalry

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell

As Boston and Philadelphia renew their nearly 50-year old NBA rivalry, SI takes a look back at some classic photos of the Celtics vs. 76ers. In this photo, Wilt Chamberlain throws an elbow at Bill Russell during a regular season game at the Boston Garden in Nov. 1965. Chamberlain would average 28.7 points and 28.7 rebounds per game in 142 contests against his rival Russell, with a game high of 62 points on January 14th, 1962.

Don Nelson

Wilt Chamberlain looks on as Don Nelson sinks a layup during a 1967 regular season game at the Boston Garden. Nelson spent 11 seasons with the Celtics and won five championship titles between 1966 and 1976.

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell take a jumpball at the start of Game 4 of the 1967 Eastern Division Conference Finals. Chamberlain would go on to lead the 76ers past the Celtics in five games before claiming the NBA Title for Philadelphia by defeating the San Francisco Warriors in the in six games.

Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and and John Havlicek

In the 1967 NBA Playoffs, Bill Russell and John Havlicek contest a rebound with Wilt Chamberlain at the Boston Garden. Havlicek and Russell would go on to win the NBA Championship the following year as the Celtics captured the 10th title in franchise history.

Bill Russell

Bill Russell shoots a layup in front of Wilt Chamberlain during a 1968 NBA playoff game. Russell would eventually lead the Celtics past the 76ers in six games and on to the Finals where the Celtics would capture their 10th title in franchise history by defeating the Lakers in six games.

Larry Siegfried and Wally Jones

Larry Siegried (left) and Wally Jones (right) wrestle each other during a Nov. 1969 game. The dispute was quickly resolved without the ejection of either player.

Paul Silas

Paul Silas shoots a runner in traffic during a 1974 regular season game. Silas was a force on the boards averaging no fewer than 11 rebounds per game in any of his four seasons with the Celtics.

Don Chaney and Doug Collins

Don Chaney pulls up for a shot against Doug Collins during a 1975 regular season game played in Boston. During his time with the Celtics, Chaney won two NBA titles, the first one coming in 1969 and the second coming seven years later.

M.L. Carr and Lionel Hollins

M.L. Carr tries to find air against the suffocating defense of Lionel Hollins. Carr won two titles with the Celtics in 1981 and 1984.

Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Darryl Dawkins

Larry Bird arcs a shot over the outstretched hands of Julius Erving and Darryl Dawkins.

Dave Cowens and Darryl Dawkins

Dave Cowens attempts a shot over Darryl Dawkins. Cowens' decorated career is highlighted by two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976 and the NBA's MVP Award in 1973.

Darryl Dawkins

Darryl Dawkins #53 dunks on the Celtics defense during a 1980 playoff game. Dawkins Averaged 17.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game during Philadelphia's run at the 1980 NBA Championship title.

Nate Archibald

Nate "Tiny" Archibald tries to cut past Julius Erving on his way to the basket. Archibald was a six-time NBA All-Star and won his only career Championship with the Celtics in 1981.

Larry Bird and Bobby Jones

Bobby Jones defends Larry Bird in a 1980 regular season game at the Boston Garden. Bird was crowned the league's Most Valuable Player three times and made 12 All-Star game appearances.

Bobby Jones and Kevin McHale

Bobby Jones boxes out Kevin McHale during a 1980 regular season game at the Boston Garden. Jones played two seasons for the Denver Nuggets in the ABA before the 1976 merger and two more years with Denver before finishing out the last eight years of his career in Philadelphia.

Andrew Toney

Andrew Toney drives to the basket during a 1983 game at the Boston Garden.

Bill Walton and Julius Erving

During a 1985 preseason game, Bill Walton blocks a shot attempt by Julius Erving. Walton would go on to average 7.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game that season en route to an NBA Championship in 1986.

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley drives past Larry Bird for the layup. Barkley would finish his six-year tenure in Philadelphia fourth in team history in total points (14,184), third in scoring average (23.3 ppg), third in rebounds (7,079), eighth in assists (2,276) and second in field-goal percentage (.576) while earning six consecutive all-star appearances.

Larry Bird and Julius Erving

Larry Bird presents an award toulius Erving #6 before a 1985 Celtics-Sixers game in Boston. In addition to two ABA Championship titles and the 1983 NBA Championship title, Erving was a two-time ABA Most Valuable Player award recipient in 1974 and 1976 and later earned the title of the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1981 with the 76ers.

Scott Brooks and Danny Ainge

During a 1989 regular season game at the Boston Garden, Scott Brooks looks for an opening against Danny Ainge. Brooks spent two years in Philadelphia averaging just less than 5.0 points and just over 3.3 assists per game.

Allen Iverson and Tony Delk

Allen Iverson dribbles around Tony Delk during a March 2002 regular season NBA game at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. The 76ers fell to the Celtics 100-94.

Antoine Walker and Dikembe Mutombo

Antoine Walker drives to the basket against Dikembe Mutombo during a March 2002 game. Walker's scoring prowess earned him three NBA All-Star appearances.

Paul Pierce and Samuel Dalembert

Andre Iguodala and Paul Pierce

Elton Brand and Kevin Garnett

Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images

In Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden in Boston, Elton Brand 2 drives to the basket in front of Kevin Garnett. Boston defeated Philadelphia 92-91.

Kevin Garnett and Evan Turner

Kevin Garnett drives past Evan Turner #12 during a regular season game in March 2012. Garnett finished the game with 20 points and 8 rebounds as the Celtics fell to the 76ers, 99-96.

Published May 15, 2012

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