5.26.2020

C's Romp to History Books

December 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Celtics wrote a new paragraph in The Book of Shamrock last night. Their 122-88 victory over the Wizards brought them to 21-2 and set a franchise record for best start to a season.
But to their way of thinking, these C's aren't so much trying to outpace Bill Russell, Tommy Heinsohn and the 1963-64 edition, or even last year's group - the two clubs that stopped at 20-2.



They're trying to get past Macy Gray, the Baha Men and Skee-Lo. ``We talked about being a team that's like a so-called one-hit wonder,'' said Ray Allen after hitting four treys on the way to 22 points. ``You know, you win a championship one year and you somewhat fade away. And we talked about being good consistently.

``You look up at the banners and think that we have so much to live up to if we really want to be a special part of this Celtic tradition,'' Allen added. ``We'd like to sustain that and continue to win this year and next year and just create this legacy here.'' With 13 straight wins and the aforementioned first act to the season, the milestones are beginning to appear regularly. And when you consider the franchise we're talking about, ``history'' is a heavy word.

``Well, it's always good to make history, especially when you're part of such a storied franchise,'' said Paul Pierce after he scored 22 points. ``There aren't a lot of record breaking moments with the Celtics because they've done so much.'' The Celtics stayed atop the NBA charts with relative ease last night. They went for 36 points in the opening quarter - their best first frame of the season and tied for their best quarter overall (the third in Toronto on Nov. 23).

There were a number of reasons to speak up early. This was an 8 p.m. start, and the C's have New Orleans at the Garden tonight. And then there is the matter of Kevin Garnett's right leg. It was wrapped in white last night (he usually has something darker and smaller), though Doc Rivers said it wasn't a big deal. ``He got kneed the other day in practice, but it's just a bruise,'' the coach said. ``Going into the game, my thought was if we got any type of lead, I was going to try to sit him.''

Garnett had 11 points and 12 rebounds in just 27 minutes, saying afterward, ``I've got wraps in places y'all don't even see. I mean, I'm out there. I'm doing what I do. I don't think anyone in the league who's playing a lot of minutes is at 100 percent.'' Having lost three of four to Washington last year, the Celts were determined to give this a 100 percent effort. They led by 15 after one and by 24 at the half.

In the second quarter, it was announced that fans would get a buy one-get one free deal on drinks at the Chop House if the Wizards reached 100 points. Let's just say the Celts were intent on doing their part to support sobriety.

And once Eddie House threw in three straight treys in the last quarter, they were supporting some history, too. ``I think that we just saw the best team in the league,'' said Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott. But are the Celts better than even last year?

``I don't know if we are honestly,'' said Rivers. Our record may be, but I don't know if we are yet. I think our bench has been up and down, and we've got to get that better. ``So we're winning games, but I don't know if we're better than last year. As a matter of fact, I would say we're not yet.''

The record book be damned.

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