Sixers vs. Celtics: Boston Overcomes Odds Again with Series-Clinching Win

Well, the Big Three era will last another round.

At least.

Thanks to a scintillating (and unorthodox) performance from Rajon Rondo down the stretch, the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, setting up a matchup with the Miami Heat in the conference finals.

I say "unorthodox" because Rondo, who posted his ninth career playoff triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, nailed two long jumpers late in the fourth quarter, one being a three and one coming with his toe just barely on the line.

Those two field goals were part of a spurt where Rondo scored nine straight points for the Celtics, putting a dagger through the heart of the pesky 76ers and sending Boston off to the next round.

Again, though, just like they've done all season, the C's had to overcome all odds to get this win.

First and foremost, Boston shot a very pedestrian 42.5 percent from the floor. It also missed its first 14 three-point attempts, finishing 3-of-17.

Then, with 4:16 left to play and the Celtics clinging to a three-point lead, Paul Pierce picked up his sixth foul on a charge (which was an awful call), forcing Boston to proceed without its captain and fourth quarter assassin for the remainder of the game.

That was when Rondo stepped up, first driving to the hole for a layup and then drilling two back-breaking jumpers late in the shot clock. Two free throws then capped Rondo's nine-point spurt.

There were several occasions when the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden was swept up in a feeling of uneasiness, as every time it looked as if the C's were pulling away, Philadelphia would go on a run and climb right back into it. The Celtics took an 11-point lead at one point in the third quarter, but a 7-0 run by the Sixers quickly extinguished any momentum Boston had.

Despite all of that, there was never a moment in this game where you doubted that the Celtics would come away victorious. In my opinion, anyway. Were there some nerve-wracking possessions? Absolutely, but every time Boston needed a bucket, it got one.

Kevin Garnett was also huge in this game, posting a line of 18 points and 13 rebounds and providing what will probably end up being the lasting image of this series, as he hit a big jump shot in the fourth quarter and then gritted his teeth and snarled on his way back down the other end.

Garnett's impact on the game was significant on both ends, as not only did he hit key shots, but he played outstanding defense, preventing Philly from getting the kind of dribble penetration that it got in Game 6.

This Game 7 win was typical Celtics. It was not the least bit pretty, and the game itself was very unnecessary.

Had Boston taken care of business when it had an 18-point lead in Game 4, it would have never found itself in the position to even have to play a Game 7, but we all know by now that that is not how the C's operate. They always make things more difficult than they have to be, dating all the way back to when the Big Three first formed in 2007.

No matter what, though, the Celtics always seem to find a way to win. As Chris Broussard alluded to on ESPN before Game 6, they are masters of getting it done when they have to, as was evidenced in Saturday night's Game 7.

Boston only trailed in this game for a brief period. 17 seconds to be exact. As close as this contest may have felt, the C's had a firm grasp on it for most of the way. You just knew that in the end, they would come away with the victory.

Game 7 (and the entire series against the 76ers in general) was a microcosm of the season for the Celtics. They went through so many bumps along the way, losing players to injury, hearing incessant trade rumors, going into the All-Star break two games under .500, constantly hearing the talk that they were "too old" to make any noise in the postseason.

But here they are now, just four wins away from reaching their third NBA Finals in five years.

Of course, Boston now faces by far its toughest test yet in the Heat. The funny thing is, I expect the C's to play much better in this series than they did against the Atlanta Hawks or Philadelphia. Why? Because there will be a sense of urgency right off the bat. Boston knows the importance of taking one of the first two games in Miami and returning home with a split.

The Celtics also know that the Heat, with or without Chris Bosh, are not the Hawks or the Sixers. Instead of dealing with the likes of Joe Johnson and Andre Iguodala, they'll be dealing with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

But make no mistake: the Boston Celtics will be ready, just as they have been all year long.