Rondo Leads Celtics To 85-75 Win Over 76ers

05:13

Updated May 27, 2012

Doug Tribou

This article is more than 11 years old.

The referee signals a made 3-point basket for Celtics guard Rajon Rondo during the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series on Saturday. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) — The referee signals a made 3-point basket for Celtics guard Rajon Rondo during the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series on Saturday. (AP)

The Celtics are headed to their third Eastern Conference Finals appearance in five years.

The C’s beat Philadelphia in Game 7 of their playoff series at the TD Garden Saturday night.

Paul Pierce fouled out with more than four minutes to go, but in the fourth quarter Ray Allen hit two key three-pointers and Rajon Rondo scored 11 points.

The Celtics won 85 to 75.

Rondo finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Sixers coach Doug Collins says Rondo has earned his spot alongside Pierce, Allen, and Kevin Garnett.

“I don’t look at them as the Big Three," Collins said. "I look at them as a ‘Championship Four.’ If you’re going to leave Rondo out, you’re making a huge mistake because that guy’s the motor that drives this team.”

Now the Celtics will face the Miami Heat. Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals is Monday night in Florida.

Miami eliminated Boston in the playoffs last year.

This article was originally published on May 26, 2012.

This program aired on May 26, 2012.

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