CELTICS SIXERS 49-33 RECORD 43-39 3rd - East SEED 6th - East Won 4 STREAK Lost 2 8-2 LAST 10 5-5 96.4 PF 91.0 94.1 PA 89.4 42.2 REBOUNDS 44.2

After seven years, the playoffs are finally back in the city of Boston this weekend when the Celtics and the Sixers go head to head in Round One of the 2002 NBA Playoffs… The Celtics are facing an injury-plagued Sixers team, but when it comes to playoff time you can be sure they will not back down without a fight… Boston fell to Philadelphia in their last meeting a month ago, regardless of an early game lead and Paul Pierce’s game high 26 points… The defending Eastern Conference Champions are coming off a loss to the Pacers, where they were missing four of their top players… The last time these two teams saw each other in the post season (1985), the Eastern Conference title went to the C’s.

KEY MATCHUP PAUL PIERCE ALLEN IVERSON Height: 6-6 Weight: 230 Experience: 3 Years Playoff Experience: None Points: 26.1 Rebounds: 6.9 Assists: 3.2 Height: 6-0 Weight: 165 Experience: 6 Years Playoff Experience: 3 Years Points: 31.4* Rebounds: 4.5 Assists: 5.5 * = Leads League Skinny: Although he is coming off an injury, it is not likely that he will let that stand in his way, as versus the Celtics this season he has averaged 33.5 points and even posted a FleetCenter scoring record with 47 points this past January… Despite lacking playoff experience, Boston has its own offensive threat in the Pierce and Walker combo… Defensively Pierce (along with his teammates) must step up to help out on ‘D’ to close any gaps that Iverson will use to make his way inside… Offensively Pierce should use his quick release and ability to move the ball around the floor to give the Celtics the proper start to the post season.

TEAM LEADERS CELTICS 76'ERS Walker Points: P. Pierce - 26.1 Rebounds: A. Walker - 8.8 Assists: K. Anderson - 5.3 Mutombo Points: A. Iverson - 31.4 Rebounds: D. Mutombo - 10.8 Assists: E. Snow - 6.6

Etc.: Jim O’Brien will reach a career first, as he is one of five head coaches making their first playoff appearance this season… He saw 13 postseason games from the sideline of the New York Knicks bench as an assistant coach… Sixers coach Larry Brown holds a 61-63 (.492) playoff record…Iverson has scored more points (134) versus the Celtics this year than any other player in the Eastern Conference this season.

Compiled by Casey Sherman