The 76ers failed to snap a streak on Thursday night after dropping Game 6 to the Celtics at home, a loss that reignited the conversation about one of the most questionable stats of Sixers coach Doc Rivers’ career.
Boston rallied behind an impressive 16-point fourth quarter from star Jayson Tatum to defeat Philadelphia, 95-86, and extend the Eastern Conference semifinal series to Game 7. After the loss, the reactions of the 76ers who failed to capitalize on their 3-2 series lead poured in from around the NBA, citing Rivers’ career record in Games 6 and 7 as a contributing factor to the outcome.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was among those who reacted to the loss in Philadelphia, as the former 76ers reporter chastised the team for failing to capture their first NBA finals since 2001. After Game 6 on Thursday, Rivers, an NBA coach for 23 years, is now 17. –32 in potential closeout games, setting up the longtime coach and his team for a grueling Game 7.
“Devastating doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Smith said. “They had the best opportunity they’ve had in over 22 years, and they blew it.”
"Devastating doesn’t even begin to describe it… They had the best opportunity they’ve had in over 22 years, and they blew it."- Stephen A. Smith on 76ers’ Game 6 loss to Celtics https://t.co/SfF9seR0uN pic.twitter.com/k3HG3MN1Mq
– Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 12, 2023
At the highest stakes, the 76ers now face the Celtics on the road for Game 7. For his career, Rivers has posted a 6-9 record in Game 7s, with his last win coming against the Spurs in 2015 and no even one. of the victories that come along the way.
Given the numbers, the odds seem stacked against Rivers and the 76ers, but that, of course, will all be decided in Game 7 on Sunday. Until then, it looks like Rivers’ Game 7 numbers will be a topic on NBA Twitter. next days:
This is a horror movie poster https://t.co/6k8p0fxQgV
— Paul Tower 🏴 ☠️ (@PaulTorre) May 12, 2023
The Sixers aren’t going anywhere under Doc Rivers. Never.
— Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) May 12, 2023
Makes you wonder how Doc Rivers won a Celtics ship lol
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) May 12, 2023
https://t.co/exkWuDRB7V pic.twitter.com/ltxtVqdg9Z
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) May 12, 2023
Doc Rivers blows another series pic.twitter.com/qKQ1skSFze
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 12, 2023
Doc Rivers is 6-9 all-time in Game 7s. Hasn’t won a Game 7 since 2015. Lost last four by an average of 12 points per game. Never won a Game 7 on the road.
— 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐨 (@FlyByKnite) May 12, 2023