It is an enduring image, one always shown during the playoffs. A younger Dikembe Mutombo, flat on the floor, ball overhead, every tooth in his mouth showing after his Denver Nuggets rebounded from an 0-2 deficit to upset the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the 1994 playoffs.

That was a career-defining moment for Mutombo. He will try for another tonight.

The team that has been so vexing all year has rallied to come within one game of advancing in the NBA playoffs. The 76ers will play the Boston Celtics tonight. The winner goes on. The loser goes home.