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Sixers and Celtics renew rivalry in Beantown

Apr 5, 2011 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - A possible playoff preview is on tap tonight in Beantown, as the Boston Celtics host the Atlantic Division-rival Philadelphia 76ers in a showdown from TD Garden.

Boston is currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference -- just a half- game behind Miami and three games in back of Chicago -- while the Sixers are in the No. 6 spot, just 1 1/2 games ahead of New York.

The Celtics have alternated wins and losses in their last six games and are coming off a 101-90 home triumph versus the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Kevin Garnett had 23 points and eight rebounds, Ray Allen scored 13 points and Rajon Rondo dished out 14 assists to go with four points for Boston, which got to see Shaquille O'Neal in action for a short time period.

O'Neal had not played since February 1 because of a strained left Achilles' tendon and recorded six points in 5 1/2 minutes before exiting the contest with a right calf strain. He is expected to miss tonight's game and his presence will be needed inside come playoff time.

"Had nothing to do with the Achilles; it's a calf strain. It's not a bad strain, but it's a strain," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

With Kendrick Perkins in Oklahoma City, Rivers is left with oft-injured big men O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal. Center Nenad Krstic is listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his right knee.

Boston is 30-8 as the host this season.

Meanwhile, the 76ers look to back on track after having a three-game winning streak stopped with Saturday's 93-87 overtime loss in Milwaukee. Elton Brand registered 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who secured a playoff spot with a home triumph over New Jersey on Friday.

"We couldn't get that one bucket to put us over the hump, to tie the game," Brand said after the Milwaukee loss. "We just couldn't knock them down."

Jrue Holiday ended with 15 points and 10 assists, while Thaddeus Young and Jodie Meeks scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Sixers, who are not expected to have guard Lou Williams for tonight because of a hamstring issue. Williams had only three points in less than 17 minutes against Milwaukee.

The 76ers, who own a 15-25 mark away from the City of Brotherly Love, signed veteran guard Antonio Daniels from the NBA D-League's Texas Legends to help replace Williams, a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

Boston leads the 2010-11 series with Philadelphia by a 2-1 count and has won nine of 11 and 12 of the past 15 meetings between the teams. The Sixers have dropped four of five trips to Beantown.