Celtics vs. 76ers: Boston hosts Atlantic Division foe Philadelphia

The Boston Celtics (2-2), winners of two straight, welcome the Philadelphia 76ers (2-2) into TD Garden for their first game against an Atlantic Division foe of the season Friday night in Boston, MA.

Boston was on the wrong side of the scoreboard in its first two contest, dropping games against the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. The next two tilts would yeild better results, but not by much. The Celtics swept the Washington Wizards in a home-and-home series, winning by a combined nine points. On Saturday, a late Paul Pierce three -- he would finish with 27 points -- carried the C's past the Wizards, 89-86, and a strong overtime period from Brandon Bass on Wednesday would send Boston to a 100-94 win.

Pierce has been leading the Celtics in scoring with 19 points per outing. Kevin Garnett is averaging 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while Rajon Rondo is posting impressive numbers with 12.5 assists and 2.0 swipes on a nightly basis.

Philadelphia won its season opener against the Denver Nuggets but dropped back-to-back decisions against the New York Knicks in a home-and-home series. In their last game, the Sixers topped the New Orleans Hornets, 77-62, on Wednesday behind a 14-point, 12-assist night from Jrue Holiday.

Holiday leads the Sixers in scoring and passing through four games, averaging 18.0 points and 9.5 assists. Evan Turner is averaging an impressive 8.5 rebounds per night while Spencer Hawes is blocking two shots per tilt. Andrew Bynum (knee) is still on the sidelines and has yet to make his Philadelphia debut after being traded to the 76ers from the Los Angeles Lakers in the deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Friday's contest tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on CSNNE and WEEI.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team blog, Celtics Blog.