On this day, the Boston Celtics won their first-ever playoff series in 1953 behind a 50-point eruption from point guard Bob Cousy.
The win, a four-overtime victory over the Syracuse Nationals at Boston Garden, and saw Cooz head to the charity stripe for 32 attempts in the pre-shot-clock contest, of which he converted 30.
James Harden would be jealous.
It is also the birthday of two former Celtics, center Vitaly Potapenko and forward Norm Cook.
Cook was drafted 16th overall in the 1976 NBA Draft by Boston out of Kansas, and played just one season for the Celtics, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game with the team.
“Ukraine Train” — as Potapenko was called — was born in Ukraine and played his college ball at Wright State before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers 12th overall in 1996.
He would later be traded to Boston in 1999, where he would play for four seasons between 1999 and 2002.
He averaged 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds with the Celtics before being dealt to the Seattle Supersonics as part of the trade that brought Vin Baker and Shammond Williams to Boston.
The Celtics also have a pair of wins to their name on this date since the season of Banner 17.
In 2011, Boston defeated the New york Knicks 96-86 behind 24 points and 11 rebounds from Kevin Garnett and 21 points and 6 boards from Paul Pierce.
Point guard Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 12 assists to the win.
They also beat the Orlando Magic 107-96 on this date five years later, with Isaiah Thomas logging 28 points and 7 rebounds, and Avery Bradley adding 22 points and 9 boards.
Reserve center Kelly Olynyk would contribute 22 points and 5 rebounds off the bench, hitting 4 of 6 of his 3-point attempts.
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