1983-84 Boston Celtics
Celtics 110, Cavaliers 108
Record: 19-6
12/16/1983
For most NBA players, there is a thin line between ego and common sense. Thus, when the Celtics decide to use an injured Larry Bird, it becomes more than a calculated risk because Bird, for the most part, is calling the shots. But, since Bird strained ligaments in his right knee last Friday night, it has become apparent that he is capable of making important decisions about his availability. He has more than justified the Celtics' faith in his judgment. On Wednesday night he was the key to the 110-108 victory over Cleveland that ran Boston's winning streak to six games.
Bird would have been willing to travel to Atlanta and New York for games earlier in the week. Common sense prevailed and, since he realized he might not play, he agreed to skip both trips. The fact that Bird wasn't around to face the Knicks Tuesday night gave Boston an important emotional incentive, according to coach K.C. Jones. Jones only wanted Bird to "test his legs" against the Cleveland Cavaliers when the Celtics came home Wednesday. Bird did that and more, scoring 13 points in 13 minutes, including his game-winning 20-foot jump shot with four seconds left.
The Celtics might be above average without Bird. But having him is what makes them unbeatable some nights. There are a couple of major reasons why. One is that the Celtics have better ball movement and defense with Bird than without him. The other is that Bird has the ability to shift to guard, which he did in the final 28 seconds of the Cleveland game when the Celtics were running down the clock. Gerald Henderson was on the bench and Dennis Johnson was the other guard on the floor.
Cavaliers coach Tom Nissalke said that he had predetermined that if his club lost, it would be from the outside and not because of the Celtics' front line. Kevin McHale was being doubled teamed as the shot clock ran down to four seconds, but pressure shots are old stuff to Bird. Said Jones: "Fortunately for us, when the play broke down, the ball was in Bird's hands. Kevin wouldn't have had a good shot. Larry had a better one." Bird said his return was not a matter of ego. He has regained about 90 percent of his normal mobility. He sincerely felt he could play and, at the end, he wanted to be there because the situation called for an outside shooter.
"I want to play in as many games as I can," Bird said. "But if I couldn't, I wouldn't even want to be out there. I felt a shot of pain once. But that was the only time. The knee has come back better than even I hoped for. It's getting stronger every day." Bird added that once he made the decision to return, it also meant going all out regardless of the consequences. "It's the only way I know how to play," he said. "I've seen it happen too many times. If you play not to get hurt, that is when you get hurt. I play as hard as I can for as long as I can."
MISC
Scott Wedman is suffering from a pulled right thigh muscle and is questionable for tonight's game (7:30) against the Washington Bullets at Boston Garden. The muscle tightened up last week in Hartford against Denver and has been nagging him since . . . Danny Ainge missed practice yesterday in anticipation of the birth of his third child . . . With the spotlight on Bird, the unsung hero award Wednesday night went to M.L. Carr, whose defensive work at guard, denying the ball to World B. Free late in the game, went almost unnoticed . . . The Celtics, who had trouble with the muscle of the Cavs, have more trouble in store with the Bullets, led by Jeff Ruland and Rick Mahorn. Ruland is averaging 23.5 points (61 percent from the field) and 13 rebounds a game. The club also has an outstanding rookie in Jeff Malone (14.8 ppg).
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