The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to reach the Eastern Conference Final with a win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Unfortunately, they fell short yet again under head coach Doc Rivers.
The 76ers were competitive in the first half of the game, trailing by only three points as the teams went into the locker room. However, they completely fell apart in the third quarter which ruined their chances of winning the game.
The Celtics outscored the 76ers 33-10 in the third quarter, which is the largest point differential in any quarter of a Game 7 playoff game in NBA history.
The Celtics outscored the 76ers 33-10 in the third quarter.
The 23-point gap is the largest in any quarter in any Game 7 in NBA history.
— Zach Kram (@zachkram) May 14, 2023
The 76ers offense was historically bad in the quarter. Their 10 points tied for the fewest points in any quarter in the postseason in team history.
The 76ers scored 10 points in the 3rd quarter, tied for their fewest points in a playoff quarter in the shot-clock era. pic.twitter.com/IcDthdaPd9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 14, 2023
Boston took a 26-point lead into the fourth quarter and would cruise to a blowout 112-88 victory to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
There are certainly plenty of fingers to point about who is responsible for the disastrous collapse in the third quarter. However. Doc Rivers’ history of playoff failure has many around the NBA world largely blaming him.
Doc Rivers trying to coach a game 7 pic.twitter.com/WKv3XYJRCj
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) May 14, 2023
Doc Rivers in Game 7’s pic.twitter.com/hK0itKb81h
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 14, 2023
Doc Rivers has now blown 7 playoff series with a 3-1 or 3-2 lead. pic.twitter.com/F6drtQco0V
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 14, 2023
doc rivers coaching in a game 7: pic.twitter.com/BiPibQ2JEl
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) May 14, 2023
Doc Rivers is about to blow a 3-2 lead… pic.twitter.com/nCx40ehhLu
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 14, 2023
Let Harden go to Houston and fire Doc Rivers too.
— Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) May 14, 2023
Rivers famously coached the 2007-08 Boston Celtics who took home an NBA Championship. Aside from that team, Rivers has had a number of postseason failures that are mounting up on him.
His coaching record in series-clinching games fell to just 17-33 with Sunday’s loss. The 33 losses are the most from any coach in NBA history.
Doc Rivers is now 17-33 (34%) straight up with a chance to clinch a series.
The 33 losses is the most of any coach in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/MEabeQ0vlQ
— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) May 14, 2023
The talent on the 76ers roster is undeniable. However, something clearly isn’t working year in and year out, which may lead to Rivers being on the hot seat.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.