Bird Returns Home for Birthday Tilt

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record: 14-6
12/7/1983

Larry Bird turns 27 today and will be home in Indiana on his birthday for the first time since his college days.Bird has always played well in his Hoosier homeland, but says there is no extra pressure."They've seen me play for a lot of years," he says. "It's impossible to go in every time and play to my potential, but it's not such a heartache now if things don't go right."

His worst moment in Market Square Arena was last spring when the Indiana Pacers routed the Celtics by 29. "That hurt too much," Bird recalls. "I still hate to go in and have the whole team play terrible."Bird scored 53 in Boston Garden against Indiana one night after the 29- point humiliation. He admits being bothered by the distractions of returning to Indianapolis. "I usually wait until after the game to get my phone messages," Bird says. "My good friends know I sleep in the afternoon when we play that night. The biggest problem is people calling for tickets, especially people I don't know."

MISC

The Celtics ran into Mr. T and his entourage at O'Hare Monday night . . . For what it's worth, Danny Ainge says, "Mike Easler was one of the best hitters I ever saw in the minor leagues. He was a real spaz in the field, though." . . .Laughing Boy Update: Houston plays in Chicago Friday night. A Ralph Sampson news conference has been arranged for Thursday, but according to last night's Bulls' press notes, "The media is allowed to watch the first five minutes of the Rockets practice which begins at 1:30 but will be closed to the media at 1:35." You're all heart, Bill. Chicago's backcourt situation is no more resolved then Boston's. Quintin Dailey has started every game, but coach Kevin Loughery also tried Ennis Whatley (10 starts), Reggie Theus (3) and Ronnie Lester (3). The only Bulls' guard without a start is rookie Mitchell Wiggins, but he's averaging a healthy 24.2 minutes per game . . . The Bulls took a five-game losing streak (all on the road) into last night's game. Chicago is 1-9 on the road and ranks 20th in the league in offense (104.7 ppg) . . . Speaking of sorry situations, the Pacers own the NBA's worst record: 4-14. Indiana is starting Granville Waiters at center in place of top pick Steve Stipanovich. Waiters teams with Clark Kellogg and Herb Williams. The same trio played together for Ohio State.