On this day, the Boston Celtics have had extraordinary luck against opponents since the season on Banner 17 in 2007-08, with six wins of note we’ll consider today.
The first of which was a 94-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks in 2008 that saw the “Big Three” — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — carry the game for Boston.
Garnett had 22 points and 13 rebounds, Pierce 20 points and 13 boards as well, and Allen 21 points, the UConn product hitting a late 3-pointer to secure the win.
“It’s good to see Ray back and healthy,” Posey said via ESPN. “That’s what he does, make big shots. He’s a big part of this team.”
Today is also the anniversary of an 80-77 win over the San Antonio Spurs in 2009 due to another excellent night for the Big Three.
KG logged 26 points on 12-of-23 shooting accompanied by 12 rebounds, and Pierce had 19 points and 8 boards of his own. Allen chipped in 18 points as well.
In 2010, the Celtics beat the Mavs again, this time 102-93.
They did it without Garnett, who was nursing an injured knee — and in spite of 37 points from big man Dirk Nowitzki.
Boston was led by 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting by Pierce, 21 points from Allen, and 14 points and 12 boards from center Kendrick Perkins.
On this day in 2016, the Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 120-105 with a big game from guard Isaiah Thomas.
IT logged 26 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, while Sully put up 17 points (including 2 3-pointers) and 13 boards. Guard Avery Bradley added 20 points, and Amir Johnson 18 points and 8 rebounds.
Evan Turner chipped in 17 points, 9 boards and 6 assists in the balanced effort.
In 2017, Boston beat the Washington Wizards 110-102 with Thomas returning from a bruised knee to score 25 points to lead the Celtics to their 45th win of the season.
Bradley added 20 points and 9 rebounds, and big man Al Horford 16 points, 9 boards and 5 assists, while forward Jae Crowder chipped in 16 points and 8 boards.
Finally, in 2018, the Celtics defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-99 with a buzzer-beater trey from forward Marcus Morris with 1.2 seconds remaining.
“Probably my biggest [shot],” Morris said at the time via the Associated Press. “I’ve hit a couple to tie it up. But was my first actual to win it.”
Then-rookie forward Jayson Tatum led Boston with 23 points and 11 rebounds and Mook had 21 counting the winning shot, while center Greg Monroe had 17 points and 6 boards off the bench.
Today is also the birthday of Harvard product Wyndol Gray, who was a Boston Celtic in their Basketball Association of America (the precursor to the NBA) in the 1946-47 season.
Wyndol was born on this day in 1922, and averaged 6.4 points per game in his sole season in Boston.
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