The Boston Celtics and NBA Sports Boston have announced a continuation of their ‘Classic Celtics’ Series, which are rebroadcasts of classic games with contemporary analysts and personalities providing play-by-play and color commentary.
Cooked up as a response to the absence of live-action NBA games caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Celtics and NBC aired a series of such rebroadcasts, which have been a popular way for the Celtics and wider NBA community to stay connected while we wait out the danger.
There will be themes involved, such as come-from-behind games, stealing victory from the jaws of defeat, best of Larry Bird and more, and will feature guest commentators like Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House, Jerry Sichting, and Gerald Henderson.
From the team website, the schedule will be as follows:
GREAT COMEBACKS
Sunday, April 19th (7PM/ET)
Celtics vs Nets from May 25th, 2002
The Celtics pull off the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA Playoff history. Paul Pierce scored 19 of his 28 points in the final 12 minutes as Boston overcame a 21-point deficit to beat the New Jersey Nets.
Sunday, April 19th (9PM/ET)
Celtics vs Lakers from June 12th, 2008
The Celtics fought back from 24 points down to get the win in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals.
THE BEST OF LARRY BIRD
Monday, April 20th (8PM/ET)
Celtics vs Hawks from March 12th, 1985
Just nine days after Kevin McHale set a franchise record with 56 points, Larry Bird scored 60 points against the Hawks to break that record. Bird scored 32 of his 60 points over a 14-minute span in the second half.
Tuesday, April 21st (8PM/ET)
Celtics vs Lakers from June 8th, 1984
The ‘heat game’ between the Celtics and Lakers in Game 5 of the 1984 NBA Finals. The Boston Garden was reportedly 97 degrees during the game.
Wednesday, April 22nd (8PM/ET)
Celtics vs Hawks from May 22nd, 1988
Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins staged one of the greatest duels in NBA history going shot-for-shot in the 4th quarter. The Celtics would win the deciding game of the series.
VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT
Sunday, April 26th (7PM/ET)
Celtics vs Lakers from May 31st, 1984
Gerald Henderson stole James Worthy’s inbounds pass with 13 seconds left in the game to tie it. The Celtics won in overtime and tied the series at one game apiece.
Sunday, April 26th (9PM/ET)
Celtics vs Pistons from May 26th, 1987
Larry Bird stole the game, literally, from the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals.
BEST OF 2008
Monday, April 27th (8PM/ET)
Celtics vs Wizards from November 2nd, 2007
Opening night of the 2007-2008 regular season. The Celtics would ultimately win their 17th title that season.
Wednesday, April 29th (8PM/ET)
Celtics vs Cavaliers from May 18th, 2008
Paul Pierce vs LeBron James in an epic Game 7 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs in 2008 between the Celtics and Cavaliers.
Friday, May 1st (8PM/ET)
Celtics vs Lakers from June 5th, 2008
Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers. The Celtics would go on to win the series.
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