Morning Sports Update

Philadelphia fans chant ‘We want Boston’ ahead of playoff series vs. Celtics

Game 1 between Boston and Philadelphia gets underway on Sunday at TD Garden.

Philadelphia 76ers fans "We want Boston" chant Celtics NBA playoff series
Philadelphia 76ers' Vj Edgecombe after scoring during the NBA play-in tournament win against the Magic. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

Philadelphia fans want Boston: On Wednesday, the 76ers defeated the Magic 109-97 in the NBA play-in tournament, putting them on a collision course with the Celtics in the upcoming first round of the postseason.

Given the rivalry between the two teams (and sports-obsessed cities), it was only natural that 76ers fans would have a distinct reaction to the realization of another playoff test against the Celtics.

As John Clark of NBC 10 Philadelphia shared on social media, 76ers fans broke out a “We want Boston” chant.

This has been a familiar refrain for opposing fans over the years. The “We want Boston” chant has been a fixture for fanbases heading into playoff series against the Celtics. Still, the outcomes of virtually all of those series — especially during the 2024 title run — might test fans’ willingness to keep sounding so adamant about a Boston matchup.

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Yet Philadelphia fans would not be denied on Wednesday, sending the chant echoing around Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The two teams have played four times this year (with one matchup coming in the group stage of the NBC Cup). Each team has won two games, setting up a potentially entertaining playoff series (though it will most likely be without Philadelphia star Joel Embiid).

The series gets underway on Sunday in Boston for Game 1 at TD Garden at 1 p.m.

Trivia: What former Xaverian Brothers High School star played a combined 470 regular season games for the 76ers and Celtics?

(Answer at the bottom).

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Hint: He went to Boston College, and was a SuperSonics first-round pick in 1989.

Scores and schedules:

The Fleet defeated the Minnesota Frost at the Tsongas Center 3-2 on Wednesday. Boston will be back in action on Friday in Montreal against the Victoire at 7 p.m.

The Red Sox got a win on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Twins 9-5 to avoid a sweep. On Friday, Boston begins a four-game series against the Tigers at Fenway Park at 7:15 p.m.

The Celtics officially have a playoff opponent to go with their schedule. Boston will face the aforementioned 76ers starting at TD Garden on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Bruins, meanwhile, have a playoff opponent (the Sabres) but continue to wait for a schedule announcement from the NHL.

More from Boston.com:

A story of Celtics fandom: When a 92-year-old Celtics fans recently showed up at TD Garden for a game, she was surprised to meet Jayson Tatum (who offered her court-side seats).

On this day: In 2007, a seemingly innocuous moment in which Angels outfielder Garret Anderson unsuccessfully tried to catch a ball in foul territory on the left field side of Fenway Park turned into one of the iconic Boston baseball moments of the 21st century.

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“Here comes the pizza” is now etched into Red Sox lore, a seamless combination of Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo’s inimitable chemistry, and the delightfully chaotic experience of the Fenway Faithful.

Daily highlight: An example of near-routine excellence from Fleet goaltender Aerin Frankel.

Trivia answer: Dana Barros

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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