And that caused some concern for Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
The Celtics won Game 1 at home, but their inability to put away the Sixers until the very end boosted Philadelphia's spirits. The Sixers were riding high entering Game 2, and the 82-81 victory only added to their self-belief.
"You know, I think we lifted their confidence last game," Rivers said. "We played a home game in Game 1 where we stole the game, so if you're the other team, you have a little confidence coming in."
The Celtics tried to crush the Sixers by scoring nine straight points to start the game, but "then we let that go," Rivers said. Whereas every win in the playoffs is important, each game the Sixers win may only make them more dangerous. If they continue to gain self-confidence from their losses, as well as their victories, merely by playing well, the Sixers could be even more difficult for the Celtics to put away.
"A game like this is worth 10 regular-season games of experience," Sixers coach Doug Collins said.
The Celtics are not ones to take solace in a close loss, particularly when they shoot 34 percent from the field in the first three quarters, commit 17 turnovers and lose the rebounding battle 47-36.
Paul Pierce, one of four current Celtics players who were on the team that won the 2008 NBA Championship, said he had no worries or doubts after the Game 2 loss. Some doubt might have crept in for the Sixers, though, if they were headed home down two games rather than tied up at 1-1.
"We like playing Boston," Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday said. "We think we match up well against them, and even though they had a smart play at the end of Game 1, we still had a chance in that game, so that's definitely a confidence booster."
The longer the Celtics let the Sixers hang around, the more self-assured the younger group will become. Now the series moves to Philadelphia, where the Sixers' home fans will do even more to give their team confidence.
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