-- Welcome to the Garden where the Celtics are preparing to take on the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Celtics crushed the 76ers, 105-74, on Nov. 3 in Philadelphia, holding the 76ers to just 36.3 percent shooting from the field, but they are expecting a better game from Philadelphia this time around.

"You've got to expect a different game," Boston center Kendrick Perkins said after practice yesterday. "You have to expect those guys to be motivated [tonight]. After a blowout, they're going to come out and try to compete as hard as they can. We can't come out there and be relaxed because they're going to come out and give it their all so we have to make sure that we come out there and respect our opponent and just play Celtic basketball."

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 21 points and 8 rebounds on Nov. 3. The Celtics swept the season series 4-0 against Philadelphia last season with Ray Allen leading the Celtics, averaging 20.7 points per game.

Andre Iguodala led the 76ers last season with an average of 17.5 points per game, and on Nov. 3, he scored a team-high 17 points.