Celtics record biggest turnaround in a single season
In Boston Celtics’ history, on this date in 2013, the NBA cancelled the game between the Boston Celtics against the Indiana Pacers. This was a result of the terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon in 2013. After an initial delay, the decision was made to show respect for the victims. The game was not rescheduled.
As seeds that would have been affected by the cancellations were already in place, the NBA’s odd number of games was not affected. This is the first time the NBA had played an odd number regular season games.
A game between the Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators scheduled to be played at TD Garden on the same day that the bombings occurred was also canceled.
Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports. On April 17, 2013, Jeff Green, Boston Celtics powerforward, wears a black band around his neck in honor of those who lost their lives in the Boston Marathon bombings. The game was played at the Air Canada Centre. Credit: Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics’ season ended on this date in 2008 with 66 wins, 16 losses and just one year after going 24-58.
The NBA record for greatest turnaround in a single season would be smashed.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were mostly rested. Reserve forward Leon Powe scored 27 points, while reserve guard Tony Allen contributed 18.
“I’m glad we finished off the season on a winning note despite me, Kevin, and Ray not playing our normal minutes,” Pierce said via ESPN. “We’ll enjoy it tonight. But we’re a team on a mission starting tomorrow.”
Today is the birthday of former Celtics owner Ellis E. “Woody” Erdman, born this day in 1926 in Ashland Pennsylvania.
Erdman’s Trans-National Communications holding company bought the team in 1969 for a then-record $6 million and attempted to use the franchise to help cover the losses of other bad investments.
This damaged the team’s reputation financially to team president Red Auerbach’s disgust, but Trans-National Communications would go bankrupt in 1971, bringing in new ownership as a result.
It is also the anniversary of the death of Celtics wing Ron Bonham. Boston drafted Cincinnati’s Ron Bonham in 1964. Over two seasons, he played 76 matches in a role as a backup.
He’d win two titles with the Celtics in 1965 and 1966, averaging 6.3 points and 1.5 boards per game — rest in peace.
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