Celts Enjoying Home Court Advantage

Celtics 119, Bucks 96
Game 1 1984 Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics Lead Series 1-0

They know the dead spots on the famous parquet pine. They know where the overhead glare strikes a baseline shooter. They know where the bathrooms are, and where to send out for a quick fix of Chicken McNuggets.

The Boston Celtics are proof positive that there's no place like home when it comes to playoff basketball. The Red Auerbach A.C. carries a 7-0 postseason home record into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against Milwaukee tonight (8, Ch. 4).

Tuesday's 119-96 dismemberment of the Bucks typified the Garden parties the Celtics have played host to since the end of the regular season. Against Washington, New York and Milwaukee, the Celtics have shot better than 51 percent from the floor and won by an average of 15 points. They've won the last five Garden games by an average of 18.8 points.

The Celtics appear to be benefiting from the fast fold of the Bruins. During the regular season, the Celtics are forced to practice at tiny Hellenic College in Brookline, but since the Bruins were swept by Montreal, the Celts have been able to work out in the Garden almost daily.

"It most certainly has made a difference," says Red Auerbach. "You get the feel of shooting in an open area and the feel of the floor. Every little bit helps. I hate to see the Bruins lose, but that's basically the only way we can get in here."

Both Auerbach and assistant general manager Jan Volk say the Bruins (who own the building) havebeen very cooperative. "They've been great," admits Auerbach. "It's not often I've been able to say that, but they've really gone out of their way to help us this time."

Volks says, "It's not costing us anything extra. We're permitted practicing rights depending on availability. This is not unique. It's just that right now, the conflicts that could have existed don't exist."

NBA team shooting percentages generally decrease during the playoffs, but the Celtics' Garden shooting has gotten better. Boston is shooting almost 7 percent higher at home than on the road. The home-road differential during the regular season was less then 1 percent.

"Just feeling more at home is a big thing," says Larry Bird. "This year, we hardly practiced at all in the Garden, but since the Bruins got knocked out, we've had the place. It's a big difference being able to shoot here and practice in these surroundings."

"I like the idea," adds K.C. Jones. "Now, it's a case of knowing your own court. Even though this is less convenient for a lot of the guys (who live near Hellenic), it's still worth the trouble of coming in here."

M.L. Carr believes that the Garden crowds have also given the Celtics an edge.

"The fans have really been responsive," says Carr. "They help you to remember that you are close to a goal you set, and that expectations are higher. That gets you above some of the sluggishness that might creep in otherwise."

The Bucks held a closed practice after Boston's 40-minute workout. "We just had to work on what we didn't handle," said assistant coach Garry St. Jean. "We couldn't go real hard, because we have a lot of nagging injuries, but after that performance . . . well, it just wasn't a very good game." . . . Don Nelson said, "We have to get everybody playing at a higher level. Paul Pressey was our only guy who played to his level. Everybody else was down, but some of that's due to their defense. It was not just a matter of bad shooting, it was deeper than that. We basically didn't play well." Asked about Bob Lanier's two-point effort, Nelson said, "We have to get him the basketball in an area where he can do something with it."