NBA: Celtics beat Philadelphia to reach Eastern Conference final

The Boston Celtics held off the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in their decisive Game Seven on Saturday to advance to the NBA'S Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat.

Center Kevin Garnett and guard Rajon Rondo both scored 18 points for the home team, while forward Brandon Bass added 16 points.

The Celtics never trailed by more than a point but struggled to pull away from their younger opponents until a 30-23 point fourth quarter.

In a season that many are calling the last fling for Boston's Big Three of Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, the veteran trio gets another chance at glory in the conference finals against LeBron James and Dwayne Wade's Miami Heat, who beat the Indiapolis Pacers on Thursday.