76ers Notes

The Sixers, including one overtime contest, were scoring 115.3 a game and giving up 111.0.

That low number from Boston is likely the main reason the Celtics entered the game at the Wachovia Center with a 4-0 record.

Before the game, Boston coach Doc Rivers said his team wanted to become the NBA's best defensive club, referencing the 1985 Chicago Bears of the NFL.

"We have not stated that or gone around talking about it, really," Rivers said. "We've talked about, at least in our minds, the '85 Bears - or at least in my mind because I'm from Chicago - and when you hear that name what do you think of? One of the best defensive teams ever. It's a great goal for us."

Other than getting easy points on the fastbreak, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan had hoped to use skip passes and ball reversal to counter Boston's lockdown half-court defense.

"We have the ability to turn people over and we're going to get out in the open floor if we can," Jordan said. "And if we can't, we have to learn how to play against a defense like theirs."

"We definitely look at this game as a key point because we have to see how we fare against these guys," said Sixers forward Thaddeus Young.

The Celtics' defense stifled the Sixers in the first half as Boston grabbed a 44-36 lead. It was 69-54 after three quarters.

Rasheed's a Celtic

Through four games, Wallace was averaging 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds.

"They've pretty much in one guy filled a lot of needs: Size, three-point shooting, post game, intelligence, and he still has a lot left in the athletic department," Jordan said. "He's a big addition for them."

Yesterday afternoon, Wallace and teammate Kevin Garnett watched light-heavyweight boxer Bernard Hopkins work out at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym on North Third Street.

Inactive

- Kate Fagan