6.07.2020

Streaks and Stuff

December 17, 2008

Celtics notes 

Eddie House is expected to be with the team in Atlanta. He missed Monday's game to attend his aunt's funeral.

Gabe Pruitt did well with a career-high eight points in nine minutes in House's absence, but he impressed his coaches even more on defense. Pruitt made two strong plays on Deron Williams in one brief period and looked as if he might be able to be a factor off the bench in his second season.

``I use Leon (Powe's) situation last year as my motivation,'' Pruitt said. ``He didn't play until the second half of the season, and he progressed from there. Ever since then he never looked back. I look at myself in the same situation. I try to stay patient and not let myself get down. Whenever my number's called, I just have to perform and do good things.'' 


Start of something big

At 23-2, the Celtics are off to the best start in franchise history and are currently riding a 15-game winning streak - the fourth best mark among Celtics teams. Here is a look at the three Celtics teams with better winning streaks, and the three NBA teams that have done as good or better than these C's to start a season:

CELTICS STREAKS

1981-82 Celtics: 18 games

Leaders: Larry Bird (22.9 ppg, 10.9 rpg), Robert Parish (19.9, 10.8 rpg).

Duration: Feb. 24-March 26.

Next Loss: Celts lost at home to Philadelphia, 116-98, on March 28.

Finish: Won Atlantic Division (63-19), but lost to 76ers in Eastern Conference finals.

1959-60 Celtics: 17 games

Leaders: Tommy Heinsohn (21.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg), Bill Russell (18.2 ppg, 24.0 rpg), Bob Cousy (19.4 ppg, 9.5 apg.).

Duration: Nov. 28-Dec. 30.

Next Loss: Celts lost on neutral court (Detroit) to the Cincinnati Royals, 128-115, on Jan. 1.

Finish: Won Eastern Division (59-16), and beat St. Louis Hawks for their second NBA title.

1964-65 Celtics: 16 games

Leaders: Sam Jones (25.9 ppg), John Havlicek (18.3 ppg), Bill Russell (14.1 ppg, 24.1 rpg).

Duration: Dec. 19-Jan. 22.

Next Loss: Celts lost on neutral court (Syracuse, N.Y.) to the Philadelphia 76ers, 104-100, on Jan. 23.

Finish: Won Eastern Division (62-18), and beat Los Angeles Lakers for seventh straight NBA crown.

NBA STARTS

1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers: 26-2
Leaders: Wilt Chamberlain (24.1 ppg, 24.2 rpg), Hal Greer (22.1 ppg).
Next loss: Lost at the Celtics, 117-103, on Dec. 11.
Finish: Sixers set NBA record for wins (68), beat the Celtics in the Eastern Division finals, and beat the San Francisco Warriors for the NBA title.
1969-70 New York Knicks: 26-2
Leaders: Willis Reed (21.7 ppg, 13.9 rpg), Walt Frazier (20.9 ppg).
Next loss: Lost at home to Cincinnati Royals, 103-101, on Dec. 9.
Finish: Knicks fashioned an 18-game win streak in their start en route to a 60-22 record - best mark in team history. They beat the LA Lakers for the NBA title.
1995-96 Chicago Bulls: 23-2
Leaders: Michael Jordan (30.4 ppg), Scottie Pippen (19.4 ppg).
Next loss: Lost at Indiana Pacers, 103-97, on Dec. 26.

Finish: Bulls followed their third loss with 18 straight wins for a 41-3 start. They finished with an NBA-record 72 wins and won the championship over Seattle.

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