Undermanned Celtics Rally Past Spurs, Take Second Leg of Texas Triangle

Celtics Improve to 42-15
1981-82 Boston Celtics

If the 1981-82 Celtics ever deserved to take a bow, it was last night. Performing with heart and savvy, they came from eight points down in the third period to take out the San Antonio Spurs by a 110-101 score at the Hemisfair.

This second post-Larry and seventh post-Tiny game was won thanks to the skilled, deep Boston front line of Robert Parish (26), Cedric Maxwell (25) and Kevin McHale (18 points, 13 rebounds and a superb defensive job on Mike Mitchell), and it was accomplished without the usual help from Gerry Henderson, who pulled a hip muscle early in the game and who was spelled admirably for the final 8:39 by Danny Ainge.

C's Beat Philly in OT

Celtics Improve to 61-17  

1981-82 Boston Celtics 

 Bill Fitch could barely conceal his smile when the game was over. The players did not bother to hide their obvious glee. Beating the 76ers in overtime without Robert Parish, and after trailing by 15 points in the second quarter - remember last year? - was obviously the Celtics' idea of an Easter Sunday afternoon very well spent. 

Warriors Defeat Celtics

Celtics Fall to 36-14
1981-82 Boston Celtics

The Celtics weren't so much removed from first place as they were bombarded into submission.

So World B. Free scored 30 points with his usual assortment of Brownsville trash. Big Deal. So Joe Barry Carroll played a solid pivot game with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics could live with that. But now let's talk about the other worldly 29 points of Purvis Short, because if any Golden Stater could claim primary responsibility for the 121-105 triumph that knocked the Celtics out of first place in the Atlantic Division, it was the 6-foot-6 swingman with the ceiling-scraping jump shot.

C's Beat Philly in OT

Celtics Improve to 61-17
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Bill Fitch could barely conceal his smile when the game was over. The players did not bother to hide their obvious glee. Beating the 76ers in overtime without Robert Parish, and after trailing by 15 points in the second quarter - remember last year? - was obviously the Celtics' idea of an Easter Sunday afternoon very well spent.

C's Nip Knicks

Celtics Improve to 44-15
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Before anyone writes up Danny Ainge's Hall of Fame nomination petition, before we rename the bottom 24 square feet of the foul lane Cedric Maxwell boulevard, before we formally declare Robert Parish for pivot sainthood, and before we beg Harry Mangurian to sign Kevin McHale to a 17-year contract lest he ever do the nasty things to the Celtics that he now does to other folks, let us step back for a moment and state the real reason the defending champeens have won their last seven games in succession, with or without Tiny Archibald and Larry Bird.

Sixers End Celtics Streak

Celtics Fall to 55-16
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Robert Parish knew it was going to be one of those days long before it started.

"In the locker room," said the Celtics giant center, "I knew it then. We were too relaxed. It wasn't the same as you normally have for a Celtics-76ers game. "All streaks end and I thought Philly might be a club capable of doing it. But I didn't expect them to beat us as badly as this."

C's Dump Hawks

Celtics Improve to 57-16
1981-82 Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were valid World Champions in victory. The Atlanta Hawks were noble in defeat. The Atlanta fans were sportsmen who came to see a basketball game and not to indulge in any extracurricular activities. A whole lot of people did themselves proud at the Omni last night.

Celtics Reach 60 Mark, Clinch Division Title

Celtics Improve to 60-17
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Forget about saluting the Celtics with "We Are The Champions" this morning. Instead serenade Robert Parish the next time you see him with "Hail To The Chief."

The Celtics are indeed the Atlantic Division champions for 1981-82. Their 106-103 triumph over the New Jersey Nets at the Garden last night took care of that, since either a Boston triumph or a Philadelphia loss would have ensured Boston's eventual division title by virtue of the tie-breaking system. But it's still nice to win it instead of having it handed it to you, and thanks to Robert Parish they won it, all right.

Celtics Back on Track with Win Over Bullets

Celtics Improve to 56-16
1981-82 Boston Celtics

For those who cannot remember, it was 20 games ago that the Celtics began trying a lineup that made starters out of M. L. Carr, Gerry Henderson and Kevin McHale. It was so long ago, that no one is now surprised to see Larry Bird come off the bench to score 35 points as he did last night in the 119-109 victory over the Washington Bullets.

Fitch Upset About Loss to Bucks

Celtics Fall to 58-17
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Writer to Bill Fitch: "Uh, gee, coach. The 76ers and Bucks have a big game on the last day of the season. Might mean the home-court advantage in their playoff series." Fitch, gritting teeth, to writer: "Might be a big game for Boston on that day if they don't play any better than they did against Milwaukee."

Ainge Leads Way Over Mavs

 Celtics Improve to 41-15
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Aye, 'twas a fine sight indeed. Not only were the pipes a callin' for young Danny; so, too, were the jumps shots a fallin'.

Translation: Danny Ainge traded in his Mason's Union card at halftime for an AFTRA card. He went from zero to hero, pronto. After missing all four shots in the first half, he sank all five in the second, scoring 17 points in all as the Celtics held off the Mavericks, 101-97. "We wouldn't have won without Danny tonight," said Cedric Maxwell. "He came through in the clutch. I think everybody was with him tonight."

Ainge, whose previous professional high had been 12 points, had been getting increasingly frustrated lately as jumper after jumper clanged off the rim. "Sure, I was getting discouraged," he admitted, "because I know I can shoot. I just haven't been playing as well as I can. In the first half I was a little bit hesitant coming off the bench. I came out after missing those four shots and I said, Damn, I hope I get back in.' When I did get back in, Bill Fitch told me to go in and play the way I know how."

Ainge knew that in other areas of his play, he's been better. Twice he lost the ball on fast breaks for damaging turnovers. But it was essential he establish his scoring credentials, because he will always be his raison d'etre.-

Robert Parish just continues to play like an All-Universe center, scoring 27 points, hauling in a game-high 14 rebounds and blocking 6 shots. The blocks gave him a total of 17 in his last four games . . . Kevin McHale scored a back-breaking basket when he took off as soon as Mark Aguirre launched a three-pointer and took a Parish touchdown pass for a buzzer-beating dunk at the end of the third period . . . M. L. Carr played a season-high 40 minutes. "Haven't done that since Detroit," he grinned.-

Gerry Henderson's play did not equal his last four efforts, but Fitch said, "He still made a contribution on an off night, which is significant." . . . From Dick Motta: "We just can't get a call, and they get things like a five-second inbounds violation in three and a half seconds. I used to get those calls when I had a good club in Washington; and I used to take them in stride."

Celtics Win 11th Straight

Celtics Improve to 48-15
1981-82 Boston Celtics

The 11th straight Celtics victory yesterday at the Garden followed the pattern of most recent wins. When the game was on the line, Robert Parish was unstoppable, Larry Bird was unfathomable and the team defense was impenetrable. But there was a different twist for a national television audience and the 15,320 who comprised the Celtics 58th consecutive sellout. The defending NBA champions played half a game that, in fact, was enough to let them coast home, 105-92.

Celtics Too Much for Bulls

Celtics Improve to 58-16
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Welcome to the final two weeks of the NBA season, where a close (two- point) game settled in the final three seconds really isn't a close game at all; where the winning coach is so displeased with his team's play that he ends an characteristically brief postgame press session by saying, "With the way my team played, I really don't have that much to say about the game;" and where the losing coach is so pleased, he sounds as if he is nominating his players for Sportsmen of the Year.

Celtics Win a Yawner

Celtics Improve to 59-17
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Hey, Rangers, thanks. Thanks to you, nobody had an evening spoiled.

Imagine waiting around all day for this game. It would be like scheduling your tax audit for 8 p.m. Atrocities like this game belong on the X-rated cable channel at 3 a.m. The best that could be arranged was 2 p.m., however, and at least that gave the 11,916 patrons something to look forward to.

Celtics Rally Falls Short

Celtics Rally Falls Short
Celtics Drop to 61-18
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Just call this one a high-priced exhibition game that managed to send the smallest crowd witnessing a Celtics regular season game this season home with a twin treat.

Birdless Celts Prepare for Texas Triangle

1981-82 Boston Celtics

Now we'll find out what the Celtics are made of. They will begin an intriguing three-game Texas tour this evening (Ch. 4, WRKO, 8:30) without both Larry Bird and Tiny Archibald.

Celtics End Regular Season with a W

Celtics Finish 63-19
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Mike Newlin viewed The Dunk as a metaphor that explained the game perfectly. "If you want a terse summary of this game," declared the erudite Knicks guard, "say that a vicious dunk by Charles Bradley exemplified a vicious team."

It was the play the Garden crowd had awaited all season, all right. The crowd had been waiting for Charles Bradley to be yards ahead of the pack. What would he do? The answer came with 9:21 remaining in the fourth period of yesterday's season-ending 119-99 dispatching of the Knicks. Gerald Henderson had stolen the ball to spring his backcourt mate, and Bradley responded with a look-out-below, two-hand, tomahawk smash on which he took off from somewhere back in the Quincy Market.

And so a memorable Celtics season concluded with a tribal celebration, a ritualistic display of all-around Boston basketball brilliance that enchanted the daily Garden faithful of 15,320. The 63-19 record now ranks second in Celtics history to the 68-14 log compiled by the 1972-73 club.

The Celtics were in charge from beginning to end, never trailing and never treating the Knicks as if they were anything but punk kid brothers trying to compete with the big boys.

This was true even when a Paul Westphal-inspired thrust pulled New York, which had trailed by as many as 21 (52-31) in the first half, to within four at 73-69 with 2:59 remaining in the third period. In fact, the Knicks would have been better off not coming so close, because all they did was make the Celtics angry, as the ensuing 26-7 spurt over the next 7:03 was to prove.

Boston had this game in hand from the first two possessions. On the first, Danny Ainge, the 11th Celtic player to start a game this season, connected on a turnaround from the lane. On the second, a clever, unselfish pass by Cedric Maxwell sprung Ainge for an unmolested 12-footer from the baseline.

Soon the Celtics were off on a fast-breaking spree enhanced by New York's refusal to get back on defense. Robert Parish, meanwhile, was busy capping a glorious season with the first 13 of his game-high 31 points as Boston moved to a 34-19 one-period lead.

Bill Fitch again employed exhibition-game substitution techniques, using no player for more than 30 minutes. It hardly mattered as his troops placed seven men in double figures. He labeled the 3-2 postclinching week "successful," adding that it was "mission accomplished . . . We're in better shape now, and the team is mentally relaxed. And I know a lot more about next year's team. We took a lot of notes this week."

Red Holzman, meanwhile, didn't have to take any notes, since everyone from Montauk to Morristown knows he has worked his final game as the Knicks' coach.

His sad, sad team played down to its expected level, especially in the opening minutes. It appeared that the ultimate negative, a 5-on-0 Boston fast break, was merely a matter of time. Instead, the best Boston came up with was a 3-on-0 stuff for Kevin McHale in the second half.

The Celtics had a nice workout for themselves, piling up 41 fast-break points, plus 21 more on second shots. Aside from Parish, whose all-around play continually improves, Celtics who particularly distinguished themslves were Rick Robey (14 points to finish a week in which he averaged 13 points a game), Bradley (4 for 5 and a career-high 10 points), Ainge (10 points, 4 assists, 3 steals) and, of course, Larry Bird (15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals).

After being embarrassed in the first quarter, the Knicks set themselves up to be victims of an extended showtime in the second half as well. The game- clinching spurt began at 73-69 when Bird fed Maxwell for a layup to key a period-ending 11-5 run completed by a coast-to-coast Bird excursion. Then Boston turned the lights out early in the fourth quarter when Parish hit a turnaround and Bird first ripped the ball away from Larry Demic and then threw a spectacular 60-foot lead pass to a streaking Henderson for two points and an 88-74 lead.

"I like a team that drubs a team when they should get drubbed," declared Newlin. "Boston plays the game right. They deserve to be champions."

Celtics Roll to Record 18th Straight Win

Celtics Improve to 55-15
1981-82 Boston Celtics

Move over, Russ. 'Scuze me, Cooz. Hey, Heinie, ya mind stepping aside?

The truth be told, the Fitch Gang didn't gently ease the Auerbach Boys out of the record book last night. Rather, the newest in the long line of great Celtics teams sent their spiritual forefathers out onto Causeway street head first, winning their record-breaking 18th consecutive game with a near- frightening display of basketball power, that being a 125-104 dispatch of the Detroit Pistons.

Celtics Down Waltonless Clippers

Celtics Down Waltonless Clippers

Celtics Move to 35-13
1981-82 Boston Celtics

The Celtics took a 98-94 lead over the San Diego Clippers into the fourth quarter last night.

Not to be confused with a Princeton-St. Peter's NIT game, this seeming mismatch careened into the third quarter on a Denver-San Antonio level, with the Celtics clinging to a 72-70 lead.

Boston had sprinted into a position of superiority with a 48-point first period that gave the Celtics an 11-point lead at the break, but the second- quarter unit found itself thoroughly outplayed by Silas' aggressive, what- the-hell band of kids. While the Celtics were abandoning the push-it-up style of offense that had yielded them 18 fast-break points in the opening quarter, the Clipprs were banging the boards and hustling throughout, best exemplified by Jerome Whitehead, who over-achieved his way to 14 first-half points.

The first quarter was a dizzying affair in which neither side proved very capable of stopping the other. The Clippers were totally mystified by Cedric Maxwell's inside wiggling, as Max, a silent scorer of late, dropped in 15 of his half-high 21 points on the usual type of Maxwell moves. But the Celtics couldn't do much with rookie Al Wood, either.

The Clippers got an immediate second-quarter lift from Tom Chambers, who scored six quick points while luring Kevin McHale into instant foul trouble. McHale would exit after just 3:48 with three personals and one field goal. The Boston bench was completely unproductive, for in addition to McHale, other non-contributors were Rick Robey and Gerry Henderson.

Bird certainly had his moments, sinking five in a row from the outside after missing an early fast-break drive. But he, too, was somewhat impaired by fouls, picking up his third on a dubious offensive foul whistled by Jim Capers, a mediocre referee having a very bad night.

The Clippers never led after a Robet Parish steal and all-the-way dunk gave Boston a 6-4 lead, but they never let the Celtics get out of sight, either, chopping a 50-40 deficit down to one on two occasions, the last at 61-60, and again creeping within two on a pair of Charlie Criss free throws 12 seconds before intermission.

The halftime shooting stats reflected the mutual displays of porous team defense, as the Clippers were shooting .625 (30-48) and the Celtics were shooting .619 (26-42).

Celtics Have Fourth Best Road Record

January 16, 1982
1981-82 Boston Celtics

The Celtics' 11-7 road record is only the fourth best in the NBA, trailing Philadelphia (15-6), Los Angeles (15-6) and Milwaukee (11-5). But Boston's home record (which includes the three in Hartford) is 17-2, and that is the league's best, a shade better than San Antonio's 15-3 . . . Utah and Dallas are the worst road teams, each with a 2-15 record entering last night's action . . . The six-game figures for the inimitable Larry Bird: 32.2 points a game, 14.0 rebounds a contest, 9 assists a game and 63 percent (85-136) shooting . . . Parish has quietly been playing excellent basketball. His last five point-rebound figures have been 24-11, 24-11, 21-9, 25-18 and 19-12. Incidentally, he had a season-high 23 rebounds in Market Square Arena during the Dec. 1 Pacers' 90-87 triumph over the Celtics . . . Cedric Maxwell sat out his fifth straight game last night, due to a sore right knee . . . The Celtics are 11-3 against teams with .500 or better records, and 18-6 against sub-.500 clubs . . . McKinney, on the 3-10 Indy record the past 13 games: "We're not playing with any sharpness, crispness or consistency. In those 13 games we've only played well twice.