WALTHAM, Mass. — Kevin Garnett won’t be posting any comments from the 76ers’ owners on his mental bulletin board. The Philadelphia fans won’t be getting all riled up over comments deriding their loyalty.
“It’s Game 7. There’s no tomorrow,” Celtics captain Paul Pierce said before practice Friday. “If this is not the most important thing to you right now, there is no way to motivate you as a basketball player.”
The Celtics and Sixers will play tonight for a spot in the Eastern Conference finals, where one of them will face the Miami Heat for the right to play for the NBA title.
The 76ers forced the series to a decisive game by beating Boston 82-75 on Wednesday night, keeping alive a surprising run that started when they knocked out the top-seeded Bulls.
“I think they’re excited about the chance to go in there and have this Game 7 and see what we can do,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said.
“I don’t think we have any fear. I haven’t felt that in our guys at all. When we have played poorly, it’s not out of being fearful. I think sometimes we don’t execute well. That to me has nothing to do with whether or not the guys believe they can do it.”
The Celtics will be without guard Avery Bradley, who will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on a left shoulder that frequently popped out of its socket during the regular season and playoffs. Without him, Ray Allen moves back into the starting lineup, and Rajon Rondo will be expected to cover the best Sixers backcourt player.
Woodson to return to Knicks • NEW YORK — Mike Woodson will return as the Knicks’ coach after leading them to their first playoff victory in 11 years as the team removed the interim tag and announced it had given Woodson a multiyear contract extension.
Woodson led the Knicks to an 18-6 record after replacing Mike D’Antoni on March 14.
Spoelstra fined $25,000 • MIAMI — The NBA fined Miami coach Erik Spoelstra $25,000 for “critical public comments” about officiating in the Eastern Conference series against the Indiana Pacers.
