NBA Playoffs 2012: Breaking Down the 76ers' Game 6 Win over the Celtics

Philadelphia was pushed into a 3-2 hole in its Eastern Conference semifinal against Boston, and to most people, the 76ers seemed to have run out of magic. Instead, they brought the magic back, responding with a brilliant Game 6.

The result? A victory.

What's next? A Game 7 in Boston.

Jrue Holiday's 20 points and six assists guided Philadelphia to a hard-fought, 82-75 win over the Celtics. Down the stretch, Philadelphia built a lead, and it finished off the Celtics with free throws.

Philadelphia needed to execute its style of basketball to win Game 6, and it did exactly that. Philly played good defense, holding Boston to just 75 points, and it held Boston to 33.3 percent shooting.

The 76ers shot 45.7 percent, and as a result, they emerged victorious.

Despite being outrebounded 48-37 by Boston, the worst rebounding team in the NBA, well-timed baskets lifted the 76ers to victory. Penetration and passing got the 76ers good shots, and even though they only took 70 shots, they made the most of their opportunities.

Holiday got to the middle, and when he was trapped by a Boston big man, he dished the ball out to a teammate for a jumper. An example of this was late in the game when Holiday found Elton Brand for a big jumper.

Unlike the previous games, Holiday was able to break down the Celtic defense, finding a way to wear out the Celtics and forcing them to take outside shots. The 76ers had the home crowd on their side, and they played like it.

Philly was energetic, and it was contesting every shot by Boston. When Boston trailed by six points, Ray Allen got a pass for what seemed like an open three. However, Evan Turner sprinted over to contest the shot, and Allen clanked the three.

This energy was displayed throughout the game, and that's why the 76ers were able to create good shots. And this time, they were able to convert on their opportunities.

Even at the free-throw line, where the 76ers shot a miserable 17-for-28, they converted. Holiday and Andre Iguodala made a pair of big foul shots to ice the Celtics.

If the 76ers play like this in Game 7, they'll have a great shot in the seventh game. Even at the TD Garden, without its home fans, Philadelphia can win. 

All the Sixers will need to do is make smart decisions, play with the same ferocious tenacity and convert on their opportunities.

Expect another gritty, physical, low-scoring game. Game 6 was intense, and while most expected Boston to take over late, Jrue Holiday found a way to penetrate and finish on his floaters. The 76ers are a confident team with nothing to lose, so will they lose?

I doubt it.