On this day: Celtics send Pistons, Hawks home, advance in ’85, ’12

On this day in 1985, the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons to advance in the playoffs, and in 2012, they’d do the same to the Atlanta Hawks.

On this day, the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 123-113 in Game 6 of the 1985 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, defeating the Pistons six games to two.

The Celtics won despite 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists from Detroit star point guard Isiah Thomas.

The victory came with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 3 steals from big man Robert Parish, point guard Dennis Johnson adding 22 points, 5 boards and 6 assists, and forward Larry Bird chipped in 17 points, 9 boards and 7 assists for good measure.

Reserve forward Scott Wedman contributed 17 points off the bench. It was just the second time the two East teams had collided in the postseason, Boston winning both.

The Celtics would go on to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals.