As racial unrest exploded in cities across the U.S., Celtics general manager Red Auerbach believed playing would keep people off the streets. “So, of course we had to go out compete, but in the back of our minds, the Sixers and Celtics players shared grief and were visibly upset and disturbed about what had happened. But we still went out and played,” said Embry, who is now the Toronto Raptors’ senior basketball adviser. The mood was eerie that night The Spectrum as the Celtics beat Philly 127-118.