76ers' Ilyasova on shifting to TD Garden: Gym was 'half-empty' in Miami

The Philadelphia 76ers have been off since April 24 after defeating the Miami Heat in five games to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, and after the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their first-round series on Saturday night, the Sixers are preparing for the raucous atmosphere they will face at TD Garden.

"When we were in Miami ... the gym was half-empty," said Sixers forward Ersan Ilyasova to Ian Begley of ESPN. "But when you go to Boston, you will feel it. Even in the regular season, you know when you play that team, the arena is full, and they're really committed fans."

Philadelphia won both games at American Airlines Arena, which is known more for its late-arriving crowds than its intimidation factor. The atmosphere should be much more hostile when the Sixers roll into Boston and face one of the louder buildings the NBA has to offer.

"It's as loud as it gets for the playoffs," 76ers starting two guard JJ Redick told Begley. He also said his postseason games played at TD Garden as a member of the Orlando Magic "were as intense of any playoff games I've played in my career."

The Sixers' dynamic duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid weren't fazed in their first playoff road trip to Miami and can prove they are up for one of the toughest tests in the league as Game 1 goes Monday night in Beantown.