2012 NBA Playoffs: Celtics and Sixers Will Play Game 7, You Can Book It

2012 Playoffs—Game G…treat that ticket like gold, Celtic fan.  That will be Game 7, and it’ll happen in about two weeks.  It’s inevitable.

Historically, numerically, the trigonometry of the game (as Mr. Heinsohn might say)?  However you approach it.

Boston and Philly will play seven games.

On eight prior occasions in this legendary rivalry, these franchises have played an ultimate game in a playoff series, including three of the last four times.

Moreover, Boston’s atrocious rebounding numbers notwithstanding, these two teams run neck-and-neck when it comes to efficient play.

Consider these numbers:

Doug Collins’s troops converted—made a field goal or earned free throw attempts—3,040 of their 6,119 regular season possessions, 49.7 percent, 12th in the NBA.  Boston went 3,052 for 6,177, 49.4 percent, one rung down in the league rankings.

Defensively, Doc’s Celtics stopped—induced a turnover or a missed field goal not rebounded by an offensive player—3,309 of their opponents’ 6,228 possessions, 53.1 percent, first in the league.  The 76ers rank fourth at 52.8 percent (3,251 stops in 6,156 possessions).

When adjusted for shooting (free throws and three-point shots), the differentials between the teams only tighten…both are 50.1 percent in conversions.

Like the history, these numbers portend a lengthy tussle.

Maybe ol’ Coach Tom had it right all along.  It’ll come down to the trigonometry of the game.

Maybe a little psychology, too.

But, then again, it could all go back to the history.

Will KG and the Truth conjure up more images of Dave Cowens and John Havlicek…

Or will Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner remind us of Dr. J and Andrew Toney?

The only certainty, it seems, is that the Garden is fated to host Game G.

Treat that ticket like gold, Celtic fan.