(SportsNetwork.com) - Two of the most storied franchises in NBA history take center stage in Boston Wednesday night, but neither is where they want to be in the standings.
Or, maybe they are.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics waged war throughout time, but both are at the bottom of both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.
Both have undergone substantial rebuilding plans this season and could use a high draft pick this summer to fully implement said rebuilding plans. Both are well on the way.
The 76ers and Celtics have both lost three straight and six of seven heading into Wednesday's showdown at TD Bank Garden. The Sixers are 2-10 in their last 12, while Boston is 2-15 in its past 17.
The Celtics lost on Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden to the New York Knicks, 114-88. The C's couldn't stop Carmelo Anthony, a tough chore, but the NBA's second-leading scorer went for 24 in the win.
"It was a good old fashioned butt kicking," said Celtics coach Brad Stevens. "That is what it was. I don't think I have to described it that much, we all were sitting there and watched it."
Jeff Green registered 14 points and seven rebounds for the sputtering Celtics. Kris Humphries and Chris Johnson both finished with 12 points and Jerryd Bayless notched 10.
Four of Boston's starters - Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, Rajon Rondo and Gerald Wallace - combined for 24 points.
The Celtics shot under 40 percent from the field and committed 17 turnovers, while the Knicks shot 53.7 percent from the floor.
The Sixers dropped three in a row at home, but did win last time out on the road, a 110-106 victory over the Knicks a week ago.
On Monday, Philly fell at home to the Phoenix Suns, 124-113.
Michael Carter-Williams had 22 points and 11 assists for Philadelphia. Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young both totaled 21 points, while Spencer Hawes chipped in 18. Hollis Thompson added 10 off the bench.
"We didn't come out the way we intended," Sixers head coach Brett Brown said. "We've got to find a better way to get that done."
Defense has been Philly's problem all season, not just on Monday. The Sixers have allowed 100-plus points in every game this season, but four. Not surprisingly, the 76ers rank last in opponents' scoring.
This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams. Last season, they split four matchups, but the Sixers have dropped four of their last five regular-season games in Boston.
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