C's Down Cavs

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Celtics 98, Cavs 86
Record 57-19
April 4, 1984

RICHFIELD, Ohio

Remember the excitement and euphoria when the 1967 Red Sox won the American League pennant? This was nothing like that. In this suburban tundra, before a shoulder-to-shoulder throng of 7094 (presumably, the purists were home watching the Indians commence their annual charge to the World Series), Boston methodically dismantled the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers, 98-86, last night, clinching the 18th regular-season title in Celtics history.

There was no champagne in the Boston locker room. This was an evening that had all the anticipation and unpredictability of the 1984 Republican National Convention. The Celtics have known they would win the Atlantic Division since they returned from the West Coast in late February. "We only celebrate world championships in Boston," said assistant coach Chris Ford.

Larry Bird's 17 first-half points pushed the Celtics to a 52-48 lead. Cedric Maxwell (11) and Bird (12) exploded for 23 in the third period and the Celtics led by 15 (79-64) after three. The fourth quarter was played to satisfy the league office. "We got it to 15 and it became kind of a no-meaning game," admitted Kevin McHale. Three prime factors contributed to the Celtics' fifth win in a row: 1. Boston's frontcourt thoroughly dominated the outmanned Cavaliers. The quartet of Bird, Maxwell, McHale and Parish scored 80 percent of Boston's points; 2. The Celtics played good defense, holding Cleveland to a mere 35 points in the second and third quarters. The Cavaliers shot 38 percent for the night; 3. Cleveland was lethargic and pitiful, even by its own dubious standards.

Bird finished with 29 points (he left in the fourth after Winnebago Lonnie Shelton stepped on his right foot) and got plenty of help from Maxwell (20), McHale (17) and Parish (12 with 15 rebounds). Cliff Robinson (26 points, 21 rebounds) was Cleveland's only answer. The Cavaliers were without World B. Free (knee), and started a backcourt of rookie Paul Thompson and ex-BC great John Bagley.

With the frontcourt doing all the scoring (Boston's guards were shutout in the first 18 minutes), the Celtics jogged to an early four-point (14-10) lead. The lethargy was boundless. On two occasions, players were able to gather rebounds without leaving their feet. After a timeout, the Cavaliers awoke with eight straight, taking the lead on a hook by rookie Roy Hinson. When Robinson beat Parish underneath for a follow to make it 18-14, the Celtics called time. The Celtics shot 29 percent (7 for 24) in the first period, and trailed, 29-22, after one. Robinson had 12 rebounds and 14 points and led a 15-3 Cavalier surge in the first 12 minutes.

McHale and Bird paced a 30-19 second quarter that enabled the Celtics to go into the locker room with a 52-48 lead. McHale scored Boston's first eight points of the period, but the Celtics still trailed, 36-30, with eight minutes left in the half. Bird tied it (40-40) on a step-back bomb with 4:13 left in the second. When Cleveland coach Tom Nissalke put 6-foot-6 guard Thompson on Bird, the Celtics took advantage. Bird put Boston back in the lead for good with a jumper off the break, and two perimeter jobs from the set offense to make it 52-48 at intermission. A 27-16 third quarter iced it.

"This is no big deal," said McHale. "We knew we were going to clinch it a month ago, and it's been academic ever since." "I learned from Red (Auerbach) a long time ago not to be premature," said K.C. Jones.