NBC Sports Boston and the Boston Celtics plan to extend the “Classic Celtics” rebroadcasting series, complete with five new themed groups of vintage games taken from 21 of some of the most impactful meetings of the team’s storied history.
Sunday, May 3rd will be the first such airing, a win over the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls at the season opener of the run examined in detail in the new Michael Jordan ESPN documentary “The Last Dance”.
This will be part of ‘Sunday Showdowns with the Bulls’ — one of the five thematic groupings — alongside ‘Best of Celtics vs. Lakers’ week, ‘One-man show’ week, ‘Championship’ week and ‘Iconic moments’ week, ending May 29th.
Who's ready for Game 7? #ClassicCeltics
STREAM: https://t.co/pQz8H1KW3x pic.twitter.com/1LXJTDDH0u
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 29, 2020
The series will continue to draw on a variety of compelling special guest commentators, including Danny Ainge, Cedric Maxwell, Kendrick Perkins, Doc Rivers and Antoine Walker., who will share not only their deep collective knowledge of the game, but their first-hand experience in these games as well.
Taken from a team press release:
SUNDAY SHOWDOWNS WITH THE BULLS
Sunday, May 3, 7 p.m.
Celtics vs. Bulls; Celtics beat Michael Jordan’s Bulls in Rick Pitino’s coaching debut; also the opener of Chicago’s “Last Dance” season
Sunday, May 10, 7 p.m.
Celtics vs. Bulls, Game 2 of the 1986 Eastern Conference first round; Jordan’s memorable 63-point game
Isiah Thomas' comments on '88 Celtics series stirs up strong emotions https://t.co/O7Plt8C7OG via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 28, 2020
Sunday, May 17, 7 p.m.
1988 NBA All-Star Weekend; Larry Bird’s legendary 3-point contest; Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins in the Slam Dunk Contest
BEST OF CELTICS VS. LAKERS WEEK
Monday, May 4, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers, Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals; Kevin McHale takes down Kurt Rambis
Wednesday, May 6, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers, Game 5 of 1984 NBA Finals; Larry Bird goes off vs. Lakers in “heat game”
Friday, May 8, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers, Game 4 of 2008 NBA Finals; Celtics rally for epic comeback
“ONE-MAN-SHOW” WEEK
Monday, May 11, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Pistons,1985; McHale scores 56 points
Danny Ainge opens up on that mid-series golf game with Michael Jordan https://t.co/CrVvzZirfJ via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 22, 2020
Tuesday, May 12, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Hawks, 1985; Larry Bird drops 60 points
Wednesday, May 13, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Heat, 2016; Isaiah Thomas goes off for 52 points
Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Hawks, Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals; Bird outduels Dominique
Friday, May 15, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Cavs, Game 7 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals; Paul Pierce’s showdown with LeBron James.
Ex-Celtic Tony Allen 'understands both sides' in Ray Allen exit beef https://t.co/SLujjzrSjQ via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 28, 2020
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK
Monday, May 18, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Sixers, 1981 Game 7; The Celtics overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals to defeat the 76ers and advance to the 1981 NBA Finals
Tuesday, May 19, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Rockets, 1981, Game 6 of the 1981 NBA Finals; Larry Bird and the Celtics win the 14th title for the franchise.
Wednesday, May 20, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers, Game 7; Larry Bird and the Celtics vs. Magic Johnson and the Lakers in the 1984 NBA Finals
Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs https://t.co/PiCTB5pgpi via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 23, 2020
Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Rockets, 1986 Game 6 of the 1986 NBA Finals; The Celtics would go on to win their 16th NBA title
Friday, May 22, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers 2008 Game 6; The Celtics battled hard against rival Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals, defeating them in Game 6 to become NBA Finals Champions with a 4-2 win in the series
ICONIC MOMENTS WEEK
Monday, May 25, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Pacers, 1991; Larry Bird returns from injuring his cheek in the first half to lead the Celtics to a Playoff victory over the Indiana Pacers
Tuesday, May 26, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers, 2008; Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers. The Celtics would go on to win the series.
'Right in Harrington's face!'; recalling Paul Pierce's iconic shot https://t.co/UfsCVKlWoI via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2020
Wednesday, May 27, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Pistons, 1987; Larry Bird stole the game, literally, from the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals.
Thursday, May 28, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Lakers, 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.
Celtics legend Dave Cowens' surprising take on modern big men https://t.co/K4QRBoeuSV via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 1, 2020
Friday, May 29, 8 p.m.
Celtics vs. Suns, 1976; It has been called ‘the greatest game ever played’. It took 3 overtimes for the Celtics to come out on top in Game 5 of the series. The Celtics would go on to win the series
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