It is also the anniversary of two first-round East NBA Playoff games since the season of the Celtics’ last championship in 2007-08.
The first was a 104-87 win over the Chicago Bulls in 2017 a recorded message from Boston champion Kevin Garnett helped inspire, led by big man Al Horford (18 points, 8 rebounds) and point guard Isaiah Thomas (16 points, 9 assists).
Chicago, led by guards Dwyane Wade and former Celtic Rajon Rondo, had won the first two games of the series, but he Kentucky product broke his thumb in Game 2, and missed the contest.
The Celtics avoided digging a three-game hole for themselves with the victory, and would go on to win the series 4-2.