11.14.2010

Bird's Rookie Year: December 17, 1979

December 17, 1979

It's still almost impossible to fathom that the Celtic bench shot 11 for 12 against the Knicks. For the record, the breakdown was as follows: Rick Robey, 5-5; Don Chaney, 3-3; Jeff Judkins, 2-2; and M.L. (One Wrist) Carr, 1-2. Gerald Henderson was 0-0. Yesterday was Jan van Breda Kolff's 28th birthday. The rangy Net swingman was coming off a sparkler in Cleveland (a 117-111 setback) in which he shot 7 for 10, with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot.

Six of the seven Celtic losses had come on the second night of a back-to- back situation, which last night happened to have been. After 31 games a year ago, the Celtics were 11-20. They didn't pick up their 24th victory until Feb. 21, when they also picked up their final road triumph of the season, a 101-97 verdict over Golden State. Since spraining his right wrist a week ago Friday (he had already sprained his left wrist), Carr has played just 83 minutes in 5 games shooting 10 for 28 (all layups). But the team has muddled through, winning four in a row after losing to Cleveland, which, ironically, was the best of the five post-injury performances.

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