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(Sports Network) - Storied rivals meet in Philadelphia Friday as the 76ers play host to the Boston Celtics.

The days of Wilt vs. Russell or Dr. J. vs. Bird are long gone, however. The Celtics are certainly holding up their end of the bargain and are closing in on a third straight Atlantic Division title. The Sixers, however, are struggling mightily and aiming to avoid a fifth consecutive loss tonight.

The C's won their second straight game on Monday in Beantown when Paul Pierce connected on 9-of-13 shots and finished with 27 points, as Boston routed the Charlotte Bobcats, 104-80.

Pierce had scored only nine points in Tuesday's win over Detroit, his first game since missing three contests with a sore thumb. But Wednesday he found his rhythm and connected on a variety of shots, including four three-pointers.

Nate Robinson came off the bench to shoot 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, finishing with 16 points for the Celtics, who shot 53.5 percent as a team. Kevin Garnett added 12 points, four blocks, five rebounds and four assists in the win.

"We haven't had a game like this, it's been a while," Pierce said. "I thought this was a good win. This is how we should come out in each and every game, at home especially."

The Sixers, meanwhile, suffered a blowout loss in Atlanta on Wednesday when Marvin Williams posted 21 points and eight rebounds and was backed by a 20- point effort from Jamal Crawford, as the Hawks downed Philadelphia 112-93.

Lou Williams netted a game-high 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting but it wasn't enough to halt the Sixers' current slide.

"All the points I scored don't mean a lot because we lost," Williams said

Willie Green chipped in 17 points off the bench in the loss. Andre Iguodala contributed 11 points and seven assists but had six of Philly's 18 turnovers.

On the injury front for the Sixers, forward Elton Brand is questionable for tonight's contest after missing the previous two games with tendinitis in his right Achilles'.

Boston has won five straight over Philly at the Wachovia Center and are an impressive 21-10 on the road this season.