1983-84 Boston Celtics
Preseason
Don't get carried away, folks. A 127-98 preseason victory over the Lakers doesn't qualify the 1983-84 Celtics for hoop canonization. Los Angeles had a lot of Calvin Garretts, Ron Carters and Larry Spriggs on the floor when the Celtics ran up the margin in the third and fourth quarters. Celtics coach K.C. Jones nonchalantly called it, "one of our best efforts." Laker coach Pat Riley called it, "a total breakdown on our part."
The game became a blowout in the second half, when the Celtics had runs of 14-0 and 24-4 and went up by as many as 31 points. Believe it or not, it was a close game until the middle of the third quarter. There were 11 lead changes before the Celtics took charge for good on two Larry Bird free throws (he scored 24 points) with 7:44 left in the third quarter.
Late in that period, the Celtics led, 83-78, before putting on a 14-0 run that stretched into the fourth quarter and thrust the home-away-from- home Celtics into a 97-78 lead. Robert Parish (29 points, 11 rebounds), Kevin McHale (16 points, 7 for 8 from the floor) and Bird did most of the scoring in the crunch drive. The fourth quarter was a joke, ending with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the floor surrounded by Byron Scott, Spriggs, Carter and Garrett.
Many of LA's Great Eight are hurt, while Norm Nixon is being great in San Diego these days. The Celtics outscored the Lakers, 36-20, in the third quarter, and by a 69-41 margin in the second half. "I don't ever like that kind of thing to happen," said Riley, who'll have a chance to get even in Worcester tonight. "We've got some guys who are a long way from being there." Riley added: "The Celtics are the best-conditioned team in the NBA."
All 13 Celtics played. Parish and McHale missed only two of their 18 shots. Dennis Johnson and Gerald Henderson started at guard, but Danny Ainge (5 steals and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes) and Quinn Buckner (4 rebounds, 3 for 4 from the floor) were the backcourt standouts. Bird, who had 14 points in the first quarter, said, "The guys came off the bench and did the job. We made a lot of mistakes, but we came out strong after halftime, which is what you have to do."
Riley got his first look at Abdul-Jabbar (viral hepatitus), James Worthy (recovering from a broken leg) and Scott (recently acquired), but it wasn't a very constructive night for the defending Western Conference champs. It was Boston's third victory in three tries against the Lakers this fall. The Celtics are 5-2 in the exhibition season.
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