Parish Stars as C's Blow Out Cavs

1990-91 Boston Celtics Remembering the 29-5 Start  

November 3, 1990 

 His numbers tend to slip through the cracks, much like the man himself tries to do. In the wake of Opening Night, when the Celtics thrashed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 125-101, Robert Parish showered quickly, slipped out the side door and tried to exit quietly, anonymously. This was not the work of a man hiding from his performance. 

Even though Reggie Lewis and Larry Bird and Kevin McHale might have jumped out at the multitudes during last night's gala, the more discerning fans found themselves marveling at No. 00, running up and down the floor like a long, lanky gazelle, fulfilling his stated responsibilities with a stoicism that often masks his own passion for the game. Need proof of commitment? Check the stat sheet. Aside from Bird, no one played more minutes than Robert Parish. Nobody came close to duplicating his shooting accuracy of 10 for 11 from the floor. 

Perhaps his game-high 14 rebounds eluded you? Be advised the worth of this 37-year-old center, the oldest player in the NBA, has never escaped his teammates. "You get so accustomed to Robert's play, sometimes you just take it for granted," said McHale.

 "He's been a tremendous teammate for 11 years. At some point, you look beyond basketball and say to yourself, 'What kind of guy is this?' You look at Robert once and you know." It was a difficult offseason for Parish. His divorce spilled over into the tabloids, and this intensely private man had to live with some distasteful public scrutiny. 

 

Later his name popped up in the sports pages, where every trade rumor included him as bait. Finally, he lost his closest friend on the team, Dennis Johnson, who was not re-signed. "I was thinking about him," said Parish. "It's funny here without him. I miss him a lot."

 The emotions, however, have never altered his play. They did not prevent him from lofting soft turnaround rainbows in the paint, or ripping rebounds out from a crowd. 

They didn't affect the defensive job he did on young Brad Daugherty, who was always aware of No. 00 on his back, and shot 5 for 16 from the floor to prove it. Those are the advertised talents of Parish, the ones McHale is talking about taking for granted. Yet the oldest player in the league had a few more wares to peddle. 

There was his full-court pass to McHale on the break, a perfect strike that evoked a small, albeit warm smile from the Chief himself. There was also a poke-check steal in the open floor, a gift to his friend DJ, who had done it so many times. 

 "Robert is a very predictable player," said assistant coach Don Casey. "He always maximizes his position and his strength. "But there's more, too. This is not a rah-rah type of emotional team, but he is the spiritual leader. This is a work ethic franchise, and Chief is the model." 

The young guys tuckered Parish out last night, pushing and pushing the ball, imploring the veterans to keep on running. "I try to keep up, but it's impossible," Parish said.

 "Our backcourt is definitely into this, aren't they?" He refuses to think about Dee Brown being 21 years old, barely half his age. He kids with these young players, but has no choice but to be a bit removed. 

The list of longtime allies is dwindling; McHale and Bird are the only ones left. "Robert is one of those great players that doesn't care if he gets four shots a game or 10 shots a game," said Bird. "But this year I think it's really important for him to average 15 points a game or more." Bird was asked if he's noticed the list is dwindling. He was asked if he realized Parish is the oldest player in basketball. 

 "I don't care," he said. "I'm just glad he's here. After all the talk over the summer, I didn't know if he'd be gone or I'd be gone or we'd both be gone . . . I'm just glad he's here." He has been here 11 seasons, and has been trying to slip through the cracks most of that time. "It's just another year," said the oldest player in the league. "It doesn't feel any different."

Celtics-Hawks to Resume Game from November

1990-91 Boston Celtics

Well, who wouldn't? They're already up by 15, the game is almost 14 minutes old and they're at home, where they've won 11 straight and their average victory margin is 16.8 points.

(Aside to NBA commissioner David Stern: Larry was only kidding.)

Still No Word on Bird

January 14, 1991

The Celtics are taking a Dylan-at-Woodstock approach to any possible definitive word on injured forward Larry Bird: "If he's not here, he's not here," coach Chris Ford said. "I'd prefer it if no one even talked about it." If not knowing is indeed the hardest thing, then Celtics fans may be in for a long season. Larry Bird's back problems were laid out in detail last night, but when chief executive Dave Gavitt got to the part on how long the team's All-Star forward would be sidelined, the details came to an abrupt halt.

Asked what kind of timetable was projected for Bird's return, Gavitt answered, "When he's healthy. That's an easy timetable." Gavitt was not being evasive, merely truthful. With Boston holding a 7 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division heading into last night's action, the team has decided to take a chronic problem affecting its most valuable player and give it the attention it merits. At this time, it's hard to gauge how long such an approach will require.

Bird was put in a flexion brace yesterday and will wear it throughout his treatment. He also was given a steroid injection, which is expected to act as an antibiotic.

LINK

And there you have it. Bird never fully recovered. The Lakeshow swept the green during the regular season, and the Celtics finished the season 27-21 after starting it 29-5. Although they did squeak past the Indiana Pacers in the first round, the Detroit Pistons defeated them 4-2 in the second round. Bob Ryan, Grampa Celtic, had this to say:

The great irony of Bird's career is that he embarked on a punishing physical fitness regime in the summer of 1987 for the express purpose of "avoiding injury," and has had five years of grief ever since. The idea was sound. He was never more dominant than during the exhibition games of 1987 and the first six games of the regular season, and everyone who saw him knew it would be his greatest year. Then he injured his heels in Cleveland and nothing has ever been the same.

Bird is motivated to play by one thing, and it isn't money (as much as he loves to see the pile grow, he knows very well he has enough stashed away for 10 lifetimes). He enjoys competing against the best basketball players in the world. When his back isn't acting up, he belongs in that company.

Celtics Escape with Home Win over Clippers

Celtics Finish Fast Start 29-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

The Celtics were overdue for something uncomfortable at home. They could only hope that it would end the way it did.

The Clippers had other ideas and almost made it two straight in Boston Garden. But a late Boston stand, and four Reggie Lewis free throws in the final minute, enabled the Celtics to escape with a 109-107 victory last night.

In winning their third straight without Larry Bird, the Celtics held the Clippers without a point for the final 2:08 and without a basket for the final 3:36.

It wasn't pretty. It wasn't impressive. It wasn't settled until the final play. Only then could coach Chris Ford do a grateful pirouette on the sideline.

"We needed one like this," said Kevin Gamble, who led the Celtics with 26, including 13 in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. "It was a close one for a change. Everyone's heart was pumping. Everyone was nervous. We haven't had many like this."

At home, they hadn't had any. It was their 17th straight home victory and 18th in 19 games. Prior to last night, the closest a team had come in any of the Boston victories was 8 points.

Overall, Boston has won six straight and 14 of 15.

Still, the Celtics had to battle for every point, and even then, it took a long, lucky bounce off a missed free throw to give them the last shot. Lewis missed the second of two freebies with 20.1 seconds left, leaving the score tied at 107-107. The rebound caromed away from everyone, Lewis was able to retrieve it, and Boston called time.

Out of the break, the initial call was for a dump-in to Kevin McHale, who finished with 23. But Lewis, who had 24, found himself isolated on the left side against Danny Manning.

"There's no way Manning can stay in front of Reggie," McHale said. "When you see a mismatch like that, then you have to go to it."

Said Lewis, "I do have the advantage in quickness. I went baseline, gave a head fake, got fouled and went to the line."

Manning was called for the foul. Lewis calmly made them both with 2.5 seconds left.

The perenially up-and-coming Clippers had one last chance. Manning tried a long inbounds pass from midcourt to Charles Smith, a play that worked a couple of times last year. But Robert Parish (14 points, 17 rebounds) stepped in front of the receiver for the game-ending interception.

The Clippers were anything but distraught afterward. They didn't play like a 12-24 team, and in that they took some comfort. They outshot Boston (48.8-46.6 percent), outrebounded Boston (46-44), had more field goals (42-41), more assists (29-20) -- and 2 fewer points.

"Overall, we played an excellent game," said Smith, who had 25 points. "We did everything we were supposed to do. They just scored 2 more than we did."

This was the last game of a brutal Eastern stretch for the Clips, and given their 3-16 road mark and Boston's home omnipotence, everything pointed to yet another big-time blowout. But LA came out and played hard, stopped the Celtics' motion game (Boston had one transition hoop in the first half) and led by 9 after one and at intermission.

The Celtics made the obligatory run in the third, tying the game in less than three minutes and taking the lead a minute later. But the Clippers took the blow and bounced back and led, 81-80, entering the fourth.

Gamble then got untracked in the fourth -- "I felt someone had to pick up the slack," he said -- with a mixed bag of moves. His layup with 6:16 remaining gave Boston a 99-93 lead, and at that point, the Celtics had converted on 25 of 30 second-half possessions.

"I think everyone in the house thought it was over then," Ford said.

Using a bizarre lineup that featured Tom Garrick and Winston Garland in the backcourt, Los Angeles came out of a timeout and stunned the Celtics with a 12-2 run. Benoit Benjamin (18 points, 20 rebounds) started it with a turnaround, and Smith ended it with two freebies with 2:51 remaining. It was 105-101, Los Angeles.

The Clips still led by 4 (107-103) and had the ball with 1:55 remaining. But McHale blocked Smith from behind and Parish was whacked at the other end, converting both free throws. Then Garrick missed from the corner, the rebound squirted to Lewis, and he got to the line and made one.

Smith then was called for traveling with 38.3 seconds left -- a huge call given the time and the score. Lewis again got fouled, and again made one. The Clippers couldn't control the rebound, and almost as if ordained from above, everything fell into place for Boston's final -- and successful -- foray.

Bird Watches Win Strapped in Back Brace

Celtics Improve to 28-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

The gut checks will be coming fast and furious in the week ahead, as Larry Bird watches, strapped into a back brace in his living room.

Consider Boston's initial gut check a successful one. With news their ailing captain might stay that way for a spell, the Celtics knocked off the white-hot Milwaukee Bucks, 110-102, last night at the Garden. In the process, they moved ahead of Portland (a 109-99 loser to Dallas) and seized possession of the best record in the NBA, hiking their winning percentage to .848 while the Trail Blazers' dipped to .833.

Kevin McHale led the charge with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. He played the entire 48 minutes, in true Timberwolves fashion.

"I owed Kevin some minutes for bringing him off the bench all this time," cracked coach Chris Ford.

McHale was needed. An outing that had all the early signs of a blowout (how does Boston, 54-26, grab you?) turned into a real struggle down the stretch, as the guys from Wisconsin proved again why they can be a positively frightening basketball team.

The Celtics have proved equally formidable in that regard. Last night they submitted 24 minutes of textbook defense, stumbled through a third quarter in which they shot 35 percent, then eked out their 17th straight home win by taking care of business in the final frame.

That final quarter unfolded this way: with 11:36 left, the Celtics found themselves clinging to a 2-point lead (84-82) as former Shamrock Brad Lohaus slammed through an offensive follow.

Boston needed some big buckets and got them in the ensuing minutes from a variety of sources. First it was Reggie Lewis with a pair of baskets to stem the tide.

Then, with the spread at 6 (90-84, Boston), rookie Dee Brown beat the shot clock with a 14-footer.

With the Bucks still chipping away behind Ricky Pierce (22 points) and Jay Humphries (11), Brian Shaw pulled up in the key and cashed in on a 3-point play for a 97-90 Boston

cushion with 7:01 to play. After the clubs traded misses, Brown stole the ball and relayed it on the break to McHale for an easy two.

The Celtics finally shook the Bucks when Lewis followed his own miss at 2:08. That snapped a field goal drought of 3:59 and pushed the locals in front, 105-97.

Thus, though a 65-44 halftime bulge shrank to a dangerously slim edge, the night ended with the desired result.

It would have been a shame to waste the terrific defensive showing the home team presented in the opening half. No less than five times, the Bucks were forced into taking hurried jumpers to beat the shot clock. For basketball purists, there is no sweeter sound than a shot clock buzzer sounding as the opponent fires it up.

"Their defensive effort in the first half was as good as any I've encountered," said Milwaukee coach Del Harris. "They took us out of our stuff."

In fact, Harris called for two timeouts within a minute in the first quarter to express his displeasure to his squad.

"The two big factors tonight were to take away their transition and not to let them beat us off the dribble," said Harris. "I called those two timeouts because they had beat us off the dribble seven straight times."

Oh, and while we are talking transition, Boston outscored Milwaukee, 10-0, after one in that category. At halftime, the Celtics were shooting 55 percent, the Bucks 36 percent. By then, McHale already had 23 points, 6 more than the entire Milwaukee starting lineup.

Even the most casual follower of the NBA knows a comeback was in the offing, especially with a team the caliber of Milwaukee, which had won eight straight and leads the Central Division.

Like clockwork, the Bucks came roaring out in the third quarter on the offensive. Like clockwork, the Celtics suffered through the proverbial letdown, being outscored, 36-19, in the quarter, and squandering all but 4 points (84-80) of its cushion.

"The mind-set is, 'Don't let up, don't let up,' but then you let up," said McHale. "It's like golf. You say, 'Don't hook it, don't hook it,' then you hook it. It's almost like you talk yourself into it."

With Milwaukee offering friendly persuasion in the form of some rejuvenated defensive pressure, the local boys found themselves in a wire-to-wire job without Larry. It's not a preferred state, mind you, but it gave guys like Lewis (26 points), Brown (6 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) and Robert Parish (10 points, 15 rebounds) a chance to absorb a few more pieces of responsibility.

After all, that's what gut checks are all about.

Celtics 62-49 Without Bird

1990-91 Boston Celtics

It had to happen sooner or later. And it did, after 31 games. For that, the Celtics can feel fortunate.

Larry Bird's absence from last night's game with the Knicks marked the first time this year that one of the seven regulars has missed a game. The Celtics simply said, so what?, and went out and ripped the Knicks, 101-87.

"It's no surprise to us," said Robert Parish. "We know what we're capable of doing. We just have to go out and do it."

Added coach Chris Ford, "We weren't out to prove we could win without Larry. Most of these guys were here when he missed the season two years ago."

Bird missed seven games last season -- he hasn't gone the full 82 since 1985-86 -- and last night was the 111th in his career missed because of injury. The Celtics are 62-49 in those games. Bird also has missed five playoff games, in which the Celtics are 0-5.

C's Crush Knicks Again

Green Improves to 27-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

No Larry? No problem.

The loose, confident Celtics showed up at Madison Square Garden last night without Larry Bird. The trash-talking, completely clueless Knicks looked them in the eye all night and couldn't stop blinking.

The result? A karma-boosting 101-87 Celtics triumph that only widened the increasing gap between these two teams.

Bird was home with a bad back, the first regular to miss a game this season. That might have been enough, but there was more. Joe Kleine, destined to get minutes, saw only 7 before taking a Patrick Ewing follow-through on his nose, which may be broken. Reggie Lewis was ice cold (5 for 20) and then took a five-stitch cut over the right eye. And Robert Parish was limited to 28 minutes because of foul trouble.

Not to worry. The Knicks played themselves to perfection. They looked hopelessly lost on offense to the point of not even knowing the plays. Ewing did score 25 points; he needed a 10-of-26 night to do it. He also bricked 7 free throws. Kiki Vandeweghe didn't make a shot from outside 3 feet all night and Mark Jackson giveth (5 turnovers) as much as taketh away (13 points, 6 assists).

"Our guys have confidence in their game," said coach Chris Ford, who has the distinction of owning the best record of any Celtics coach after 32 games (27-5). "This is a team that works hard."

The Knicks are a team working hard for a mandatory team transplant. New York had made this game into a combination of Dunkirk and San Juan Hill. They had been embarrassed in Boston last week and wanted payback. They might as well have gone to the Bank of New England to collect.

Charles Oakley talked of putting bodies on the floor.

Such insolence amused many of the Boston elders, especially Kevin McHale, who was so intimidated he went out and scored 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 3 shots in a season-high 43 minutes.

"They were spouting stuff," McHale said. "You don't want to hear that kind of crap. What does he think, that this was the first game we've ever played? That might work in college, but in the pros, all you say is, 'Let's go.' We were ready."

What about it, Charles?

"It was important," said Oakley, who shook off a bad back to play. "And we didn't get over the hump. I really don't know why things are going the way they are. This would have been a motivational game for us. I don't what we're going to do, but we have to do something."

It appeared the Knicks, now a brutal 7-10 at home, might be on their way to the much-desired result. An 11-2 run to open the second quarter, with bookend 3-pointers by Jackson, gave the hosts a 36-25 lead. However, Jackson turned it over on the Knicks' next two possessions and the Celtics responded with a 9-0 run to get back into the game.

"We know we have the capability to come back when we get behind," Ford said. "We don't want to make a habit of it, but we can do it."

And they did it in the second half. Leading by the uninspiring tally of 48-46 at the break, Boston broke it open by shooting 60 percent in the third. Ed Pinckney came off the bench when Parish picked up his fourth foul and had two big hoops (a tip and a breakaway dunk) in a 10-2 run that gave the Celtics a 66-55 lead.

Also coming up big after the half was Brian Shaw, who finished with 20 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. And the pullaway came with Parish taking in the action on the pine and Kleine looking dazed and confused after getting whacked. McHale fronted Ewing, others harassed the Knicks franchise, and no one else stepped into the huge breach.

The Knicks got back to within 70-64, but Kevin Gamble, in his only prominent stretch of the game, scored 6 huge points that enabled Boston to lead, 78-66, after three.

In the fourth, a 7-0 New York run fueled by Ewing and Kiki (12 points on 4 of 10) made it an 80-75 game with 7:39 left. Ford called time.

Boston was in the process of botching a possession when Ewing fouled Lewis on a 22-foot jump shot as the shot clock expired. Is this team stupid or what? Lewis (17 points, 12 rebounds) made them both to launch a game-ending 8-1 run that got the lead to 88-76 with 4:39 left.

By then, the boo birds in sold-out MSG were squawking with delight. McHale (12 for 20) added three more hoops down the stretch and the trash-talkers were left to stew in their own verbiage.

Home Win Streak Reaches 16, but Bird Injures Back

1990-91 Boston Celtics

In the end, there were the familiar figures on the floor leading to one, inescapable conclusion: another Boston blowout.

Stojko Vrankovic was hoisting hooks and all was well last night for the Celtics . Their 16th straight home victory was well in hand, a 127-110 trouncing of the Dallas Mavericks, who may have to wait until beehive hairdos are back in fashion before winning in Boston.

And yet, this conquest wasn't without its antsy moments. Despite the undermanned competition -- Dallas didn't have Derek Harper (groin) in addition to long-term casualties Roy Tarpley, Fat Lever and Herb Williams -- the Celtics snoozed through a still-life first quarter and found themselves trailing by 16 early in the second.

Coach Chris Ford was asking for action and getting inert responses. The Celtics couldn't even get to the free-throw line in the first quarter.

Ford implored his players not to be spectators; they watched as the Mavericks executed everything as if there was no defense. Dallas shot 72 percent. Rolando Blackman, who scored 27, was having target practice from 15 feet.

Soon, however, role reversal kicked in big time, as you sort of expected it would. Within 10 minutes, the Celtics turned the 16-point deficit into an 11-point lead, a 27-point swing.

Defense did it. Rookie Dee Brown turned into a parquet guerilla again, and, by osmosis, the team went from comatose to combative. They forced eight turnovers in the quarter -- six of them steals -- scoring 14 points off the miscues.

The result was a 42-19 second-quarter torch job, a 10-point lead at the half, and the re-establishment of superiority by the Celtics. They were never seriously threatened in the second half -- the Mavs never got closer than 9 -- as they improved to 17-1 at home and dealt Dallas its 11th loss in Boston in 11 visits.

"We didn't have anything at the start," said Ford. "We were flat. We didn't do anything to disrupt them and we waited around for somebody else to pick us up. This team thrives on emotion and defense and we were getting neither."

Everyone perked up for the dramatic turnaround in the second, however. Larry Bird, who had an off shooting night, had 11 of his 17 points in the quarter. He also had four of his 11 assists.

There was an initial 19-4 assault that cut the 16-point lead to 42-41. Bird figured prominently in that one, scoring 8, including his only 3-pointer of the night (he bricked five others from international waters.)

Later, there was a 15-3 burst in which Boston took the lead for good and emerged with a 60-49 advantage on a Brown dunk. Brown had two of his three steals in that stretch and Kevin Gamble one of his four. Dallas took only 14 shots in the quarter, so stymied was it by Boston's relentless pressure.

"Before the quarter began, Chris got on us and told us we'd be in for a long night if we didn't play better defense," Brian Shaw said.

And, like most everything Ford has said this year, the message got through. There was little letup in the second half, as Boston opened with a 9-2 run. Dallas was theoretically still alive, trailing, 94-85, with 9:50 left. Four minutes later, after a 17-5 Boston run, the lead was 111-90 and the benches emptied in a hurry.

Brown was the comeback catalyst and he finished with 17 points, one shy of his NBA best. Gamble had another ho-hum game, 23 points on 11 of 13 from the field, 6 rebounds, 4 steals. Reggie Lewis had 20; the Celtics are 12-0 when he hits for 20 or more. And Kevin McHale had 21 and 8 rebounds.

Dallas figured to have little shot, especially with Harper out. He had started 142 straight games and was upset he couldn't go. Blackman (9 of 14) held them aloft as long as he could. But there was a weaponry mismatch of high proportions and eventually it took its toll on the beleaguered Mavericks.

"This is a gut-wrenching situation to go through," Blackman said. "Hopefully, some guys will be back soon and we can put a viable team on the floor so we'll be a credible team at the beginning and end of the game."

Back KO's Bird

Larry Bird is suffering from a back strain and will miss tonight's game in New York against the Knicks, trainer Ed Lacerte said last night. Bird will undergo tests today to determine the extent of the injury, which Lacerte termed "ongoing."

Dee Brown Leads Celts Back from 16-Point Deficit

Green Improves to 26-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

The Energizer was at it again last night. Celtic coach Chris Ford saw nothing but stale, flat, uninspired basketball players and he summoned turbo-charged Dee Brown to shake things up.

It didn't take the hyperactive rookie long to make his presence felt. In a second quarter which saw the Celtics outscore Dallas, 42-19, and turn a 16-point deficit into a one-time 11-point lead, Brown was everywhere.

In the quarter, he had 6 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. The defense went from 0 to 60 on the intensity scale in a matter of minutes and Brown was at the epicenter of that convulsion as well.

"Dee came into the game and suddenly, there's life," said Ford after Boston's 127-110 victory over the Mavericks. "We had to generate some intensity, some emotion, and I thought Dee did that."

By halftime, the lead was 64-54 and the undermanned Mavericks never really threatened after that. And whenever Brad Davis took a breather, Dallas had no one to handle the ball against the relentless Brown and other Celtic attackers.

"Once Brad came out, they jumped on us," lamented coach Richie Adubato.

"Our defense won the game," said Brown, who finished with 17 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in 32 minutes, a season high. "We just started to put some pressure on them and they started to get a little out of sync. Our defense got everything going."

No argument there. Dallas shot 72 percent in the first quarter. Over the final three quarters, it shot 41.8 percent.

1990-91 Celts Playing Better at Home than in 1985-86

1990-91 Boston Celtics

Step into the slaughterhouse, boys.

Tonight it's the Dallas Mavericks' turn. They are hurting (no Roy Tarpley, Fat Lever or Herb Williams), they are 4-12 on the road and they are confronting one of the hottest home teams in the league.

Dallas has never won in Boston. Don't expect that to change tonight. The way things are going these days, if the Mavs can keep it within 20, it'll be something to tell their grandchildren.

The 1990-91 Celtics are zealously guarding their home court, once again turning Boston Garden into sacrosanct turf where visitors are routinely garroted and left for dead. The Celtics have won 15 straight at home since their only lapse, a 120-100 slipup against Chicago on Nov. 9.

Their 16-1 home mark is among the best in the league and it isn't just the victories themselves that are impressive. It's the lopsided nature of them which has turned this year's club into one of the most dominating home teams of the Larry Bird era.

Bird himself isn't about to compare this year's team to the vaunted 1985-86 unit, which went an unthinkable 40-1 at home.

"You'll never see a team like that," he said. "We never even had to play the fourth quarter. All we'd do is come out after halftime and finish them off and that would be it."

That may be true. But this year's team, in only 17 home games, has a greater winning margin. It also has yet to be severely tested at home. The 1985-86 team, for instance, had seven games in which the winning margin was 5 points or fewer, including three of the first five. This year's team has none.

Celts Hammer Suns

Green Improves to 25-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

This one took a little longer. It actually lasted almost three full quarters before things got out of hand.

The relentless, remorseless Celtics made it 15 in a row at home last night and treated the supposedly vaunted visitors the same way they've treated everyone else lately: with utter disdain.

They pulled away with a textbook third quarter and went on to annihilate the Phoenix Suns, 132-103, easily repulsing yet another challenge to their home-court omnipotence.

On the surface, this one seemed different. Wasn't Phoenix a team that could take a hit or two and not cry, "No mas" (unlike New York, Atlanta, et al)? Hadn't it won four straight, the last two by margins of 39 and 22 points?

And even though the Suns were without Tom Chambers (hamstring) and his 21 points, didn't they have sufficient firepower to keep the fans around for some other reason than seeing Stojko Vrankovic?

We'll never know. The Celtics again shot the ball with uncanny accuracy -- 63 percent -- and they have eclipsed the 60 percent mark six times in 30 games. They did it four times in 82 games last year.

They moved the ball well (32 assists), clamped down defensively (Kevin Johnson ran into white-shirted roadblocks on almost every foray to the basket) and established a season high with 15 steals.

"Our guys are really focused," said coach Chris Ford, using one of his favorite buzzwords. "I thought we played well. And we were able to turn up the notch defensively in the second half."

Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons praised the Celtics, but then added this caveat: "They will come to the Valley of the Sun and we will look forward to seeing them. We'll talk that night."

The Celtics, as is their custom, had a long list of heroes. Brian Shaw was pumped for his tete-a-tete with KJ and acquitted himself nobly, scoring 21 points (9 for 13) and collecting 9 assists. Kevin McHale led the team with 23 (9 for 12) and Robert Parish had a night of target practice (18 points on 9-for-10 shooting) while collecting 11 rebounds.

And did we forget Larry Bird? His ho-hum numbers: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals.

"They have a lot of weapons," marveled Dan Majerle. "How can't they be good?"

The Celtics unleashed their terrible, swift sword in the third quarter, turning a 2-point game into a 25-point blowout. Phoenix had closed an 8-point halftime deficit to 67-65 and 69-67 when Boston simply erupted.

Over the final 9 minutes 14 seconds of the quarter, the Celtics outscored the Suns, 33-10. In that quarter, Boston shot 63 percent, had a 15-8 rebounding advantage, committed only one turnover, scored 12 points off six Phoenix turnovers and got the crowd into it for the first time in a while.

"Our defense picked up and we did a great job of containing their scorers," Bird said. "We actually flirted with a blowout in the first half they were up by 13, but we couldn't get over the hump."

The Chambers-less Suns had no one step into the void. Fitzsimmons had said before the game that he needed two players to have big games to stand a chance. Jeff Hornacek had 22. But KJ had only 15 and Xavier McDaniel (3 for 12) was MIA with only 9.

"I knew I'd have to have a big game, but I never allowed it to come to me the way I should have," KJ said. "There are ways to do it within the context of what we're trying to do, and I didn't. We lost our composure, starting with myself, and soon they were up by 10 and had all the momentum."

The Suns had actually thought things might go the other way. They

had survived a torrid-shooting first half by the Celtics and trailed only 67-59. Then Hornacek unloaded three quick nuclear warheads and suddenly it was a 2-point game.

But after pulling to 69-67, the Suns committed three straight turnovers. Shaw and Parish combined for the first 7 points in a 9-0 blitz and the lead was 11. The real damage was still to come, however.

Leading, 84-73, the Celtics put it into overdrive, scoring 13 of the next 15 points. Bird had a 3-pointer in there and McHale capped it with a rousing fast break jam from Shaw. The lead was now 22.

The Suns called time and the fans stood and cheered wildly throughout the entire break. Why wait until the end when it clearly was all over?

Gamble Sparkles in Win

1990-91 Boston Celtics

He just keeps getting better, and you have to wonder how far Kevin Gamble can take it.

Last night in Boston's 113-86 destruction of the Knicks, Gamble posted what are coming to be sublime, yet routine, numbers. He was 7 for 9 from the field, and the seven baskets were mostly jumpers. He had five assists and four steals. He also had a couple of blocked shots in 36 active minutes. He is shooting 60.7 percent from the field.

"Kevin Gamble is in a groove right now," said coach Chris Ford. "And it's not just his scoring. He's doing the other things like passing, playing defense."

One area of Gamble's game that seems ripe for emergence is his passing. He is becoming adept at making the intelligent dish-off if his drive to the basket is thwarted.

His coach at Iowa, Tom Davis, said recently, "You haven't even begun to see what he can do as a passer. That may be the best part of his game."

LEWIS OFF MARK

Reggie Lewis was the only member of the regular seven-man rotation to be in single figures. He had 7 on 3-for-12 shooting from the field. Lewis is in a bit of a slump, shooting 5 for 24 in his last two games and 17 for 54 in his last four. "I didn't get involved," he said. "I got caught up watching everyone." Lewis said his back is stiff and will continue to be so. "I can't get the proper rest, so I just have to stretch and stretch some more." . . . The game was such a blowout that TNT momentarily switched to Hawks-Clippers. Is that an indictment or what? . . . John Bagley's latest setback is in the hamstring area behind his still sore right knee. "We're going to do some tests on it," said team physician Arnold Scheller. "But it's hard to tell how long he has been bothered. Symptoms wax and wane."

HAPPY REUNION

Brian Shaw's family is in town and will be here through Jan. 11. Shaw totaled 13 points and 10 assists and had a superb third quarter. One of his hoops featured a big-time dunk off a steal. (Why the Celtics were pressing with a 30-point lead is another question.) . . . NBA historians were poring over yellowed newspaper clippings late into the night to determine whether the Dave Popson-Joe Kleine-Stojko Vrankovic front line was indeed the slowest in NBA history . . . The Knicks are 5-8 under John MacLeod; the five victories have been over Miami (twice), the Nets (twice) and the Timberwolves.

Celtics Destroy Knicks

Green Improves to 24-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

This was hardly anything new for John MacLeod. Since 1978, he has emerged from what passes as the opposition dressing room in Boston Garden and discovered different ways to dissect another defeat.

He had little luck in his many years with Phoenix and none whatsoever in his brief stint with Dallas. And judging by last night's brutal 113-86 Boston massacre, his New York incarnation isn't going to find that elusive "W" any time soon.

There are only so many ways one can say, "We came, we saw, we capitulated," and MacLeod covered them all last night. He talked about the Knicks being out-this and out-that -- out-everythinged -- and finally settled on one applicable pronouncement.

"I don't think anyone could beat the Celtics the way they are playing now," he said.

He's right. This was after yet another frighteningly efficient blowout by Chris Ford's juggernaut. The Celtics jumped on MacLeod's overmatched Knicks early and went on to post their 14th victory in a row at home. This also was New York's 19th consecutive regular-season defeat in Boston Garden.

It wasn't remotely close. The Celtics led by 12 after one, by an astonishing 29 at the half and by 32 after three. They actually got the lead to as high as 41 in the fourth quarter during garbage time.

Boston showed no signs of any letdown after a four-day hoop hiatus. Instead, the Celtics all credited their inspired play to three intense days of practice. Equally appropriate would be the presence of the clueless Knicks on the schedule.

"Everything just clicked for us," said Larry Bird, who had 15 points in a cameo performance (24 minutes).

Let us count the clicks.

The Celtics held the Knicks to 39 percent shooting. Boston, befitting its status as the best-shooting team in the league, shot 55 percent.

The 86 points were the fewest allowed by the Celtics this season. New York had as many turnovers as assists (18). The 27-point margin marked the seventh time this season the Celtics have won by 20 or more points. They have won 18 by 10 points or more, a league best.

Whereas Boston had its usual balanced attack (six in double figures, paced by Kevin McHale's 20), the Knicks had nothing.

Patrick Ewing was nowhere to be seen. He got in foul trouble in the first half and then, with the game well out of reach, started to show some offense in the third quarter. He had 19 points. John Starks (John Starks?) was next with 13, and all of those came in the fourth quarter.

"You lose Patrick Ewing early like they did and you're going to lose a lot of games," Bird said.

But it hardly seemed to matter whom the Knicks threw out; they are simply dreadful right now. General manager Al Bianchi said afterward, "If they're not embarrassed, then there's something wrong with them."

For starters, MacLeod went with Mo Cheeks as a steady, experienced hand in the backcourt. The Celtics spotted New York a 2-0 lead and then went on a 12-2 run. The Knicks, with the steady, experienced Cheeks at the helm, had four turnovers and an air ball in their next five possessions. That served as an indication of what was to come.

Bird shook off a frigid start (0 for 4) and finished with 13 in the quarter. The second quarter featured the trifecta of McHale, Kevin Gamble and Dee Brown, who scored 33 of the team's 35 points and were pretty much responsible for turning this one into a rout.

McHale, Gamble and Brown were everywhere in a 23-5 run which turned a 38-29 Boston lead into a 61-34 runaway. Gamble was automatic; he made his first six shots. McHale had his usual assortment of scoops, spins, twists and leaners and even found time to make a couple of technicals (Ewing, MacLeod). And Brown made all four of his shots in the quarter -- all of them jumpers.

Meanwhile, the Knicks couldn't do anything right. They went the final 5:20 of the quarter without a field goal, shot 30 percent and provided little deterrent to the Celtics' relentless march. The halftime score? 65-36.

"I know it looks easy, but it is all because of hard work," Ford said.

True and true. The Celtics aren't where they are because of league-wide benevolence. By the same token, the Knicks looked a lot like the lost-in-the-ozone gang who left here after the Game 2 shellacking last May.

Last year there was time to regroup, recover and for redemption. Now, given the odd, dispirited assemblage gathered last night, you have to wonder: Where is Actors Equity when you really need it?

Hawks Humble Celts

Celtics Fall to 23-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

Nobody bothered to yell anything like "timber!" or "avalanche!" Nobody warned the Celtics that fate would come crashing upon them so hard it would make their 23-4 start seem like ancient history. Nobody knew -- except maybe an Atlanta Hawks team that embarrassed Boston before a sellout crowd last night. Those guys didn't say anything either. Nobody would have believed them, anyway.

Two teams that at times this season have appeared headed in different directions collided for the second time in five days -- and this time Boston got leveled. Doc Rivers scored a season-high 36 points and Dominique Wilkins added 31 as Atlanta routed Boston, 131-114, in a game that was over by the third quarter.

The win snaps an eight-game winning steak for the Celtics, which appeared outhustled and outplayed in both transition and halfcourt games. Atlanta improved to 14-13 as the Hawks tallied the most points they've scored all season.

The Celtics figured that such an output by Atlanta was possible. They humiliated the Hawks, 132-104, at the Garden Sunday -- a game that was postponed then continued because of a slippery surface. They talked about the Hawks coming out with a vengeance. They talked about meeting such a challenge. But who could have figured the Hawks would shoot 59 percent from the floor in the third period, when they increased their 14-point halftime lead to 25? Who would have thought they'd hit 9 of 13 3-point attempts? Who would have figured Boston's Fab Three tandem of Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale would be on the bench with their warmup jackets on at the start of the fourth period?

Certainly not head coach Chris Ford. The coach who is already known for standing along the Celtic bench through much of the game sat for much of the second half. All his strategies went for naught.

"We just didn't have enough effort," he said. "It was just one of those things. The Hawks had something to play for. They have a lot of pride. They were probably embarrassed by that loss in Boston. We talked about that before the game, how they would not just let us come in and do what we did in Boston.

"They played aggressive, and we didn't meet the challenge. Each time this year that has happened to us, we have lost. It happened in San Antonio; when we don't meet the challenge we get in trouble."

Trouble began in the first quarter, when the Celtics were leading, 23-16, with 5:20 to go. Atlanta tied it at 24-24, then took advantage of a Celtics draught (nothing on six consecutive possessions) to take a 30-26 lead after one.

The Hawks began to blow it open in the second period, as Wilkins and Moses Malone dominated both inside and out. Malone had two 3-point plays, the second put Atlanta ahead, 50-42, with 5:02 left. It prompted two fans in the stands to go, "He's playing hard; it must be payday for Moses today."

Looks like Wilkins got a check, too. He was 3 for 3 from 3-point distance in the period, his final trifecta put the Hawks up, 63-48, with 1:40 to go in the period.

"We came out strong," said Wilkins. "Confident play, good defense, good offense and unselfish basketball was the key tonight."

The third period was downright embarrassing for Boston. Spud Webb (14 points) hit a 3-pointer over Bird to make the score 80-60 with 7:32 left. At the 6:30 mark, Wilkins threw down a one-handed tomahawk slam all alone to create bedlam in the crowd and put Atlanta ahead, 88-64. Another dunk by Wilkins, with 2:29 left, made it 98-75.

At times the Hawks were laughing at their accomplishments or throwing hard high-fives as the Celtics looked on. And the fourth period hadn't even begun.

"They played very well, but our effort wasn't quite like we like it to be when we're on the road," said Bird (15 points). "We turned the ball over too many times and they got too many easy baskets, and then Doc started hitting outside shots, and then we got out to contest the shots and they just drove by us. We played terrible, one of our worst games in a long time."

Prior to the game, the Celtics had concerns about getting out of Atlanta before today because of airport delays throughout the Northeast. Nobody figured their offense would be grounded, too.

"We would have liked to have finished out 1990 with a win, but that didn't happen," said Dee Brown (11 points). "We just have to go out and regroup for our next game."

(Oscar) Gamble Pays Off

1990-91 Boston Celtics

In these difficult economic times, when people everywhere are searching for that most elusive of all commodities -- a true bargain -- the last place you'd expect to find one is in an athletic uniform.

The Celtics have one.

Now, please remember we are talking about the fantasy world of pro sports. In the real world, a man earning $375,000 a year would be considered fortunate. In the NBA, such a chap is generally considered to be a stiff. His name is Johnson or Williams, and he sits next to the ball boy, entering the game only when his team is ahead or behind by 30.

In Boston, however, his name is Kevin Gamble, nicknamed "Oscar" by Kevin McHale, and he is one of the reasons his team has a 23-4 record.

Kevin Gamble will be a free agent at the conclusion of the '90-91 season. You might say, "Why don't they lock him up for four or five years now and not take any chances on losing him?" The reason is that league rules don't permit them to do so.

You may recall that Gamble did not fit into Jimmy Rodgers' plans last year, playing a mere 14 minutes a game while being DNP'd 11 times. He was a free agent last summer, and might have signed with another club if, as agent Ron Grinker explains, "someone had offered an extra $100,000. In that case, I'm sure the Celtics would have let him go."

No one did, and the Celtics half-heartedly gave Gamble what the NBA refers to as a "qualifying tender" offer, which in Gamble's case was a modest $375,000. He signed the contract and reported to training camp the same day.

Under league rules, the Celtics couldn't give him a new contract now, even if they wanted to, which, as you might suspect, they do. Gamble must become a free agent. They can't sign him back before July 1, 1991.

Now, the good news. He won't be going anywhere.

Says Grinker: "Kevin's desire is to stay with the team. He has earned a spot, and I know he will be treated fairly by the Celtics. He is being paid fairly by the rules. His day is going to come."

Says Jan Volk: "If the rules permitted, which they don't, there is no question we could sit down and work out an arrangement to take care of Kevin Gamble's situation here in Boston."

Meanwhile, Kevin Gamble might be captain of the All-Underpaid Team.

Celtics Having Fun

1990-91 Boston Celtics

"I'm not going to fall into that trap," said Ford, when asked if the Celtics can be any better than this 23-4 surge. "I'm just enjoying it."

Larry Bird himself is surprised at this 23-4 and these wins that seem to come easier and easier. "We are all a little surprised on how things have turned out this year," he said. "We didn't know how good we were. Sometimes we go out and things are really easy and sometimes they aren't, but it seems as if we're gaining confidence every game."

And now, if we can force an oxymoron, Boston Garden has become a fun house. "Me and Brian and Reggie and Kevin Gamble all can push it up," said the rookie Brown, "and we're having fun doing it. It's what we do best . . . running."

"It's just a lot more fun this year," said Lewis. "Everybody's getting the ball."

Jess Kersey, as usual, was right with his call. It's "you guys," -- the Celtics -- who are having all the fun. The rest of us, from ref to fan, are breathless from keeping up with it all.

Shaw Leads Explosive Attack

1990-91 Boston Celtics

Every fan who sat through those two years of dreary winter nights watching the walk-it-up Celtics grunt and groan their way through boring triumphs and embarrassing losses against more athletic teams knows how painful the past two Celtics seasons have been. But imagine what it was like to be playing in those games.

"To be truthful," said Kevin McHale, "there were times last summer, after those final Knick games, when I thought that might have been it."

As in, "I'm outta here."

That, of course, was pre-Brian, pre-Dee, pre-Oscar The Wonder Forward (Kevin Gamble, nicknamed "Oscar" Gamble by McHale) and pre-"Reg-gie LEWIS!" It was also pre-Chris Ford, pre-Dave Gavitt and pre-just about everything that makes the 1990-91 Celtics the talk of the NBA. It was pre- nights like last evening's awe-inspiring 152-132 destruction of the Indiana Pacers, the Celtics' 13th straight Garden victory and the team's 19th win in its last 21 games.

The 152 was the Celtics' highest regular-season total in over 20 years, and the third-highest in their history. The 152 was also the most points ever scored against the Pacers.

"Those guards certainly make a difference," observed Indiana coach Bob Hill, both before and after the game.

He was referring to Brian Shaw, who added 10 assists to his game-high 26 points (matching a season high), Reggie Lewis (a casual 19), Dee Brown (11) and even Kevin (Oscar) Gamble, who isn't really a 2-guard or a 3-forward, but who is simply a sensationally explosive player Larry Bird says is "easy to play with."

Hill has replaced the departed Dick Versace's plodding style with an up-tempo approach, and it will benefit the Pacers in the long run. The visitors matched Boston's 40-point first quarter, remaining alive until the final three minutes of the half, when a Celtic burst fueled by Shaw and Brown extended the lead to 75-61.

"We're not in shape yet to play this way," explained

Hill. "We have periods where we play well, but we can't sustain it."

The Celtics can. And even though the Pacers would creep within 6 (80-74) two minutes into the third period, they weren't really threatening this remodeled Boston outfit. At this juncture Lewis picked off an errant pass, got it to Bird (12 assists) and watched as Larry fed a streaking Robert Parish for a sneakaway dunk. That triggered a 14-2 run, extending the Boston lead to 18 at 94-76 and guaranteeing that Indiana would lose its 14th road game in 15 trips outside the Hoosier state.

There were no more moments of peril, because the Celtics simply never stopped rebounding (54-39 individual edge), outletting or running. By the end of the third period, they had a whopping 115 points and the nightly Garden Stojko watch had begun.

Shaw was nothing less than an All-Star guard in this one, slashing, penetrating, rebounding (7), harrassing and even stepping outside to salvage a broken play with the first successful 3-pointer of his NBA career (so much for that trivia question). "Let's face it," said McHale. "Brian Shaw is the difference."

Kevin, don't forget Mr. Gamble, too. He continues to feast in transition (four fast-break hoops in the first period alone), and he has learned to make a half-court living off Bird. "He's always moving," lauds No. 33. Defensively, he enables Shaw and Lewis to holler "Switch!" without hesitation, thus tightening the once-porous Boston defense.

Running up to and even past the final buzzer (a Vrankovic dunk came a fraction after time expired), the Celtics staged both a crowd-pleasing main show and a boffo Garbage Time.

"I never thought I'd have this much fun playing basketball again," said a grateful McHale.

Celts Score 152 Points in Win

C's Improve to 23-4
1990-91 Boston Celtics

When the Celtics won their eighth straight Wednesday night, 152-132 over Indiana, guard Brian Shaw and forward Ed Pinckney enjoyed their best scoring nights of the season.

Shaw's 26 points, including his first NBA 3-pointer, tied his single-game high, while Pinckney had a season-high 14 points. Shaw, according to Celtics coach Chris Ford, is a more mature, confident and skilled player than the one who left the Celtics after the 1988-89 season for a year in Italy.

"His outside shot is better, too, than when he first arrived here two years ago, and now it's his show out there. He's the point guard who directs everyone," Ford said after yesterday's scrimmage at Hellenic College. The Celtics left for Atlanta yesterday, and Ford knows the Hawks -- who had to complete a suspended game in Boston Sunday and were blown away -- would like to settle the score tonight.

"We just have to continue to do the things we've been doing and we'll be all right," he said. "Right now, everyone's contributing."

Pinckney, who had been relegated to spot duty, mainly in the latter stages of safely-tucked-away games, saw significant minutes in the first half against the Pacers.

"Ed had shown signs in practice and in the two games prior to last night of getting back into a rhythm. I felt it was time to give him a look-see and some significant minutes early in the game," said Ford. "I liked what I'd been seeing of him, and I called his number."

Pinckney, who had nine rebounds -- including seven offensive ones -- in 19 minutes, said he has felt like a fan recently because he was spending so much time on the bench. "But I had hoped to build things up to the point where I would get the call earlier," he said.

"Still, I was surprised when I got in. I'm just trying to play good, sound defense and let everything else flow from there. I felt that whatever time I did get had to be productive time. I've still got some things to work on. I've missed a lot of games, but I'm going to continue to work the way I have."

Celtics Too Much for Doc Rivers

1990-91 Boston Celtics

There aren't many occasions when you take the floor for the first time and you are staring at hostile fans, a hot team and a 15-point deficit.

But that's what the Atlanta Hawks faced yesterday. Coach Bob Weiss elected to go for the "quick strike" attack to get back into it, but his team forgot how to shoot. And an impending rout turned into a legitimate one in a hurry.

The Hawks surrendered a quick hoop to fall behind, 39-22. Then Doc Rivers tried a 3-pointer. It rimmed out. Atlanta would be hit with an 18-4 run in only four minutes. End of game.

"We wanted to look for the 3 to get us back into it," Weiss said. "But our guys weren't ready. After a few baskets, it was all over."

By halftime, the Celtics led, 69-41, and Atlanta was shooting 29 percent to Boston's 63. The Celtics had a 33-21 rebounding advantage. The Hawks had committed nine turnovers, the Celtics had turned those into 18 points.

"After a while, what could you do?" wondered Dominique Wilkins, who had 9 points. "You're starting 15 down. They have confidence, they're shooting it well. It was a total, great game for them."

NEW CREW FOR GAME

The game had a new set of officials. Paul Mihalak was the crew chief and was joined by neophytes Don Vaden and Mike Costabile . . . The only verifiable slipping incident came when Brian Shaw skidded to the floor at the end of the third quarter. "I slipped," Shaw said. "But I also got some help." He was called for traveling. Shaw had five steals . . . The Celtics finished with a 58-41 rebounding advantage . . . None of the owners were present. Nor was Red Auerbach . . . Even though the game was 25 percent over, the national anthem did not start from "Whose broad stripes and bright stars?" . . . Sidney Moncrief was the luckiest one of all; he didn't play . . . The Celtics were shooting 62.5 percent through three quarters, yet finished at 55.3 . . . Dave Popson took five shots in six minutes. Joe Kleine suggested Popson ice down his shooting arm . . . The only player on either side not to score? Jon Koncak, who played 19 minutes.

Celtics Win Condensation-Interrupted Game

Celtics Improve to 22-4
1990-91 Boston Celtics

The Celtics and Hawks yesterday picked up exactly where they left off. The score hadn't changed since Nov. 28. The playing surface had, but for a while there were doubts about that, too.

And, most critical of all, the two teams were mirror images of themselves 3 1/2 weeks ago. The Celtics looked every bit as omnipotent as before. And the Hawks? After 5 minutes yesterday, the operative phrase for them was "Why bother?"

Slipout II was avoided, although there was concern about the safety of the parquet floor up to an hour before tipoff. Blowout II was unavoidable. The Celtics showed up with a 37-22 lead, made their first seven shots of the resumed game, and went on to torch Atlanta, 132-104.

The victory was the Celtics' seventh in a row and 18th in their last 20 games. They have won 12 straight at home, where their average victory margin is 18.6 points.

Any doubts as to the Celtics' readiness were erased in the first 90 seconds. Successive hoops by Kevin Gamble (25 points), Reggie Lewis and Brian Shaw (16 points, 9 assists) quickly made it a 21-point lead. The Hawks called time.

Less than two minutes later, Hawks coach Bob Weiss pulled a mass substitution. His team was 1 for 7. The score was 51-24. Garbage time had already begun. If you switched channels then to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" for the umpteenth time, you didn't miss a thing.

You want rout? The Hawks, who shot 29 percent in the first half, got no closer than 25 the rest of the way. Boston led by as many as 38.

"We played like we did during our nine-game losing streak," Weiss said, referring to the skid the Hawks were in when they were here for Slipout I. "It looked like we were worried about the floor. They weren't. They came out, made their shots, and it was over."

Before the game, Celtics boss Dave Gavitt was concerned. Unseasonably warm conditions had again made safety an issue. There were some wet spots. Garden president Larry Moulter was being interviewed by everyone.

"I was worried," Gavitt said. "I mean what are the chances? Same team. Same game. Same conditions."

Gavitt saw Sidney Moncrief slip during warmups. Atlanta assistant coach Kevin Loughery even spilled some ice on the floor near the Boston bench, accidentally (?) of course. But that was cleaned up and, by gametime, the teams were satisfied the floor was OK and the rout could officially begin -- again.

Boston had the ball. Gamble (10 for 16) swished an 18-footer. After Doc Rivers missed a 3-pointer -- the Hawks' wanted a quick trey to get back into it -- Lewis nailed a pullup. Another Atlanta miss begat a Shaw hoop from Larry Bird, who finished with his second triple-double (14 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds) of the season.

After a timeout, Rivers missed again and Robert Parish (18 points on 8-for- 8 shooting and 10 rebounds) worked a pretty pick-and-roll with Bird. Dominique Wilkins then gave the Hawks their first points, but Shaw (a layup from Bird), Bird (a layup from Parish) and Gamble (a 19-foot jumper) made it 51-24.

"We were real focused," Shaw said. "We played as if the game was even and there was no lead. We came out the way we played them originally, used good judgment, and went at them."

The lead settled at 69-41 at the half and it took the Hawks almost half the third quarter to reach the 50-point barrier. They needed another minute before their first player (Duane Ferrell) reached double figures. By then, Bird already had his triple-double.

It was 103-68 after three and the only remaining question was how long before Stojko Vrankovic would make an appearance. He wound up with 4 points, 4 fouls and 2 blocks in a career-high nine minutes.

The fourth quarter highlights? A Vrankovic dunk from Dee Brown. A 3-pointer by Michael Smith, his first of the year after six misses. And a dunk by Atlanta's Trevor Wilson that should make the team highlight film (and you know how the Hawks like to dunk. It was that good.)

"A weird game," said Kevin McHale (12 points in 15 minutes.) "It's good to get it played and out of the way."