1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record: 22-7
12/26/1983
Let's face it: The Texas trip is not what it used to be. Eastern Conference teams still hate their annual swings through the Lone Star state. They make it sound like the NBA equivalent to a morning in the dentist's chair and an afternoon at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, capped off by a 4:30 ride home through the Callahan Tunnel.The Celtics play the Spurs tonight, fly to Houston for a Thursday reunion with Big Brother Bill Fitch and his Sampsonite Rockets, then wind down with a Friday night contest against the Dallas Mavericks.
Even though the Celtics have won three straight, 13 of 15, and boast more victories (22) than any team in the league, coach K. C. Jones says, "I'll be happy with two out of three in Texas. "You always expect a hard time in all three places. It's as bad as going to the West Coast. It seems like the Texas teams are laying back waiting for you. You walk in and they turn the guns loose. Plus the crowds, particularly in San Antonio, are very enthusiastic."
Boston's concern and distaste for Texas belies the fact that the Celtics have fattened up on the Spurs, Rockets and Mavericks in the last four years. How does 28-3 sound? Since Larry Bird joined the Celtics at the start of the 1979-80 season, Boston is 11-2 against San Antonio, 11-1 vs. Houston and 6-0 vs. Dallas in regular-season play. While telling everyone how much they hate to make this trip, the Celtics have swept through Texas in each of the last three years and stand 13-2 in the Lone Star State since the start of the 1979-80 season. The Celtics' last loss in Texas was in San Antonio on Januray 5, 1980. This year, Boston's Texas timing couldn't be better. The Spurs, who've won five division titles in seven years, have lost four straight, and are in last place in the Midwest Division with an 11-19 record. San Antonio was 18-12 at this time last year. Houston is 11-17, one game ahead of the Spurs in the Midwest Division basement chase. Meanwhile, the Mavericks, who've never beaten Boston since joining the NBA, have lost four in a row since their fast start.
The Celtics smoked the Spurs, 130-106, last month. It remains Boston's biggest victory margin of the season. The Spurs haven't been getting any help off the bench and have lost 15 of 16 road games. "When a team isn't really playing well, they can put it all together and blow you away," cautions Jones. "San Antonio has Artis (Gilmore) and (George) Gervin and (Mike) Mitchell. They have the big guys down low who can dominate."
MISC
Kevin McHale has an upper respiratory infection and did not practice yesterday. He flew with the team to San Antonio last night and is expected to play. McHale is averaging 25.5 points and shooting 62 percent (38-61) in his last four games . . . Dennis Johnson and M. L. Carr are also fighting off the flu. Cedric Maxwell injured his right wrist against the Nets Friday . . . Boston's 61-percent shooting (51-84) against New Jersey was its best of the season . . .In his last two games, Quinn Buckner has given the Celtics 16 points, seven assists, and five steals while hitting eight of 12 shots . . . Greg Kite was excused from yesterday's practice due to an illness in his family. He flew to Texas ahead of the team . . . Boston's sweep in Texas two years ago sparked an 18-game winning streak . . . Fitch graciously accomodated the Celtics practice-time requests in Houston . . . After 29 games, the Celtics are one game ahead of last year's (21-8) pace.
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