Search

2007–08 Boston Celtics season

The 2007–08 Boston Celtics season was the 62nd season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Powered by the offseason blockbuster acquisitions of perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join with established star Paul Pierce, the trade enabled the Celtics to finish the season with a record of 66-16 in addition to posting the best single-season turnaround in NBA history. The team also finished first in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference, and achieved the league's best record. The 66 wins were also the third-most in franchise history, behind the 1972–73 Celtics’ 68 wins and the famous 1985–86 Celtics’ 67 wins including 40 at home. Kevin Garnett was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, while Danny Ainge, who executed "the most dramatic NBA turnaround ever", was named NBA Executive of the Year.[1] The Celtics also sold out all 41 regular-season home games. The Celtics had the tenth best team offensive rating[2] and the best team defensive rating in the NBA.[3]

2007–08 Boston Celtics season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachDoc Rivers
General managerDanny Ainge
OwnersBoston Basketball Partners L.L.C.
ArenaTD Banknorth Garden
Results
Record66–16 (.805)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Lakers 4–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionCSN New England
RadioWEEI
< 2006–07 2008–09 >

Their two-year absence from the playoffs came to an end as they met the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Eventually, they advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987, where they met the Los Angeles Lakers, reigniting their storied rivalry. The Celtics won 4–2, capturing their first championship since 1986, and seventeenth in franchise history, the most in NBA history. However, they had a far more difficult path to this championship, playing 26 games, the most any team had ever played in a post-season; the Celtics surpassed the previous record of 25 games which was held by the 2004-2005 Detroit Pistons and 1993-1994 New York Knicks.[4][5]

Key dates

Summary

NBA draft 2007: The Ray Allen trade

Shortly after being traded to the Celtics, Ray Allen threw out the first pitch for a baseball game at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.

On May 22, the Celtics were assigned the 5th overall selection in the NBA draft lottery, essentially losing their chance of drafting either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, who both were considered to go 1st and 2nd in the draft. The 5th pick was the worst-case scenario for the Celtics, who had a 19.9% chance of obtaining the 1st overall selection. However, on June 28, the day of the 2007 NBA draft, the Celtics traded the 5th pick along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for All-Star 3-point specialist Ray Allen and the 35th overall selection prior to the event, and with the 5th pick selected forward Jeff Green for Seattle.[13] In the second round of the draft, the Celtics selected guard Gabe Pruitt with the 32nd pick, which was their own, and forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis with the 35th pick, previously obtained from Seattle.[14]

Kevin Garnett trade

The Celtics achieved the league's top record via the acquisition of Kevin Garnett, who carried the team throughout the season and was amongst the leaders for the Most Valuable Player award.[15]

On July 31, the Celtics traded for 10-time All-Star and 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett in the single largest trade for one player in NBA history.[16] He was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top three protected), the return of Minnesota's conditional first-round draft pick previously obtained in the 2006 Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade and cash considerations.[17] By adding Garnett to Celtics veteran Paul Pierce and perennial All-Star Ray Allen, the trade brought a new era of relevance to the long-struggling franchise, but it also left the roster short-handed.[18][19]

Free agency

The Garnett trade left the roster depleted and depth became an immediate concern. Eventually, the Celtics signed guards Eddie House and Jackie Manuel on August 1,[20][21] just two days after the Garnett trade, and center Scot Pollard on August 9.[22] Later, Ainge called and asked 5-time All-Star Reggie Miller to return from his 2-year retirement and join the roster in a reserve role.[23] Miller strongly considered the possibility of playing alongside Garnett, but ultimately announced on August 23 that he would not join the Celtics.[24] On August 27, forward James Posey signed with the team and was considered a decisive signing which instantly gave the Celtics a drastic improvement to their bench.[25]

On September 26, center Esteban Batista and guard Dahntay Jones signed non-guaranteed contracts with the Celtics, two days before the beginning of training camp and the team's departure to Rome for the 2007 NBA Europe Live Tour.[26] Curiously, Jones was involved in a trade back in the 2003 NBA draft, in which the Celtics drafted him with the 20th overall selection, but immediately traded him with the 16th pick, Troy Bell, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the 13th pick, Marcus Banks, and the 27th pick, Kendrick Perkins. Ultimately, the Celtics waived Batista on October 16, and Manuel and Jones on October 25, bringing the roster down to 14 players, one shy of the league maximum of 15 players, in order to have roster flexibility and be able to sign another player midway through the season.[27]

Later in the season, on December 18, the Celtics released yet another player, Brandon Wallace, in order to have even more roster flexibility that coach Doc Rivers said they needed. This move brought the roster down to only 13 players, which is the league minimum for players allowed on a team's roster.[28] On February 27, the Celtics signed center P.J. Brown for the remainder of the season, in order to bolster their front court.[29][30] His decision to come to Boston was strongly aided by a conversation with future teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who convinced him to sign with the Celtics during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.[31] On March 4, 2008, the Celtics officially announced that they had signed guard Sam Cassell.[32] After the signing, Cassell immediately flew back to his hometown of Baltimore to attend funeral services for a deceased family member.[33][34] This signing ultimately put the roster up to the league maximum of 15 players.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
15Jeff Green (traded to Seattle)SF  United StatesGeorgetown
231Gabe PruittPG  United StatesSouthern California

Roster

2007–08 Boston Celtics roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G20Allen, Ray6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg)1975-07-20Connecticut
G42Allen, Tony6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)213 lb (97 kg)1982-01-11Oklahoma State
F/C93Brown, P.J.6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)239 lb (108 kg)1969-10-14Louisiana Tech
G28Cassell, Sam6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)1969-11-18Florida State
F/C11Davis, Glen6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)289 lb (131 kg)1986-01-01LSU
F/C5Garnett, Kevin6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)220 lb (100 kg)1976-05-19Farragut Academy (IL)
G50House, Eddie6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg)1978-05-14Arizona State
C43Perkins, Kendrick6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)264 lb (120 kg)1984-11-10Clifton J. Ozen HS (TX)
G/F34Pierce, Paul (C)6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)235 lb (107 kg)1977-10-13Kansas
C66Pollard, Scot  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)278 lb (126 kg)1975-02-12Kansas
F41Posey, James6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)217 lb (98 kg)1977-01-13Xavier
F/C0Powe, Leon6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (109 kg)1984-01-22California
G13Pruitt, Gabe6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)170 lb (77 kg)1986-04-19USC
G9Rondo, Rajon6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)171 lb (78 kg)1986-02-22Kentucky
F44Scalabrine, Brian6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)235 lb (107 kg)1978-03-18USC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 4, 2008

Regular season

Standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
z-Boston Celtics6616.805–35–631–1014–2
x-Toronto Raptors4141.5002525–1616–2510–6
x-Philadelphia 76ers4042.4882622–1918–237–9
New Jersey Nets3448.4153221–2013–284–12
New York Knicks2359.2804315–268–335–11
Eastern Conference
#Team W L PCT GB
1z-Boston Celtics6616.805–
2y-Detroit Pistons5923.7327
3y-Orlando Magic5230.63414
4x-Cleveland Cavaliers4537.54921
5x-Washington Wizards4339.52423
6x-Toronto Raptors4141.50025
7x-Philadelphia 76ers4042.48826
8x-Atlanta Hawks3745.45129
9Indiana Pacers3646.43930
10New Jersey Nets3448.41532
11Chicago Bulls3349.40233
12Charlotte Bobcats3250.39034
13Milwaukee Bucks2656.31740
14New York Knicks2359.28043
15Miami Heat1567.18351

Record vs. opponents

2007-08 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNOHNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
Atlanta—0–32–22–21–21–11–10–41–10–21–21–11–12–03–12–22–01–30–24–02–23–11–10–21–10–21–11–21–12–2
Boston3–0—3–14–02–22–01–12–11–12–03–02–02–02–04–04–02–04–01–14–01–23–11–12–02–02–02–03–11–11–3
Charlotte2–21–3—1–31–30–21–10–31–10–23–12–01–11–13–11–22–01–30–21–21–31–20–22–00–20–22–02–21–11–3
Chicago2–20–43–1—3–10–21–13–11–10–22–21–10–21–12–13–11–11–20–22–20–41–30–20–21–10–22–01–21–11–2
Cleveland2–12–23–11–3—1–10–21–31–10–24–02–02–02–03–01–32–01–30–22–11–32–10–22–02–01–11–13–11–12–2
Dallas1–10–22–02–01–1—1–21–13–13–11–14–01–34–02–01–13–01–12–22–02–01–12–12–22–11–33–11–12–20–2
Denver1–11–11–11–12–02–1—0–23–12–21–13–10–34–02–01–14–02–01–21–11–11–12–22–22–12–23–12–01–32–0
Detroit4–01–23–01–33–11–12–0–2–01–14–02–01–12–04–03–12–03–02–02–22–22–22–01–10–22–02–03–10–22–1
Golden State1–11–11–11–11–11–31–30–2—2–21–13–12–24–02–02–03–11–11–21–11–12–02–22–23–12–12–12–00–32–0
Houston2–00–22–02–02–01–32–21–12–2—2–03–02–13–11–12–03–02–02–22–01–10–22–24–02–22–24–01–11–22–0
Indiana2–10–31–32–20–41–11–10–41–10–2—1–10–21–13–13–11–12–21–14–01–23–00–22–01–10–21–11–31–12–2
L.A. Clippers1–10–20–21–10–20–41–30–21–30–31–1–0–43–11–11–11–32–00–42–00–20–21–30–33–10–32–11–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers1–10–21–12–00–23–13–01–12–21–22–04–0—2–12–01–13–01–12–22–01–12–03–12–23–12–24–02–03–12–0
Memphis0–20–21–11–10–20–40–40–20–41–31–11–31–2—2–00–22–22–00–42–01–10–20–30–32–21–33–10–20–31–1
Miami1–30–41–31–20–30–20–20–40–21–11–31–10–20–2—2–21–11–20–21–30–40–31–10–21–10–21–10–41–10–4
Milwaukee2–20–42–11–33–11–11–11–30–20–21–31–11–12–02–2—1–10–40–21–31–31–20–20–20–20–21–11–20–22–2
Minnesota0–20–20–21–10–20–30–40–21–30–31–13–10–32–21–11–1—1–11–31–11–11–12–20–42–10–41–30–22–20–2
New Jersey3–10–43–12–13–11–10–20–31–10–22–20–21–10–22–14–01–1—0–21–31–32–20–21–10–20–22–01–31–12–1
New Orleans2–01–12–02–02–02–22–10–22–12–21–14–02–24–02–02–03–12–0—2–01–12–04–02–21–22–23–01–11–30–2
New York0–40–42–12–21–20–21–12–21–10–20–40–20–20–23–13–11–13–10–2—1–31–30–20–20–20–20–21–31–12–1
Orlando2–22–13–14–03–10–21–12–21–11–12–12–01–11–14–03–11–13–11–13–1—3–10–22–01–10–22–02–10–23–1
Philadelphia1–31–32–13–11–21–11–12–20–22–00–32–00–22–03–02–11–12–20–23–11–3—1–11–11–11–12–01–30–22–2
Phoenix1–11–12–02–02–01–22–20–22–22–22–03–11–33–01–12–02–22–00–42–02–01–1—3–04–03–14–02–01–22–0
Portland2–00–20–22–00–22–22–21–12–20–40–23–02–23–02–02–04–01–12–22–00–21–10–3—1–30–32–21–13–11–1
Sacramento1–10–22–01–10–21–21–22–01–32–21–11–31–32–21–12–01–22–02–12–01–11–10–43–1—1–33–11–12–20–2
San Antonio2–00–22–02–01–13–12–20–21–22–22–03–02–23–12–02–04–02–02–22–02–01–11–33–03–1—2–11–12–22–0
Seattle1–10–20–20–21–11–31–30–21–20–41–11–20–41–31–11–13–10–20–32–00–20–20–42–21–31–2—1–10–40–2
Toronto2–11–32–22–11–31–10–21–30–21–13–11–10–22–04–02–12–03–11–13–11–23–10–21–11–11–11–1—0–21–3
Utah1–11–11–11–11–12–23–12–03–02–11–13–11–33–01–12–02–21–13–11–12–02–02–11–32–22–24–02–0—2–0
Washington2–23–13–12–12–22–00–21–20–20–22–22–00–21–14–02–22–01–22–01–21–32–20–21–12–00–22–03–10–2—

Game log

2007–08 game log
Total: 66–16 (home: 35–6; road: 31–10)
November: 13–2 (home: 8–0; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1November 2Washington103–83Pierce (28)Garnett (20)Garnett (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		1–0
2November 4@ Toronto98–95 (OT)Allen (33)Garnett (13)Garnett, Pierce (6)Air Canada Centre
19,800		2–0
3November 7Denver119–93Pierce (26)Garnett (13)Garnett (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		3–0
4November 9Atlanta106–83Garnett (27)Garnett (19)Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		4–0
5November 10@ New Jersey112–101Pierce (28)Garnett (14)Garnett (6)Izod Center
18,171		5–0
6November 13@ Indiana101–86Pierce (31)Garnett, Pierce (11)Pierce (6)Conseco Fieldhouse
12,143		6–0
7November 14New Jersey91–69Garnett (16)Garnett, Perkins (8)Allen (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		7–0
8November 16Miami92–91Garnett (26)Garnett (11)Rondo (10)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		8–0
9November 18@ Orlando102–104Pierce (28)Garnett (11)Pierce (6)Amway Arena
17,519		8–1
10November 21Golden State105–82Allen (21)Garnett, Pierce (10)Rondo (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		9–1
11November 23L. A. Lakers107–94Garnett, Perkins (21)Garnett (11)Rondo (10)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		10–1
12November 24@ Charlotte96–95Garnett, Pierce (23)Garnett (11)Pierce (7)Charlotte Bobcats Arena
19,201		11–1
13November 27@ Cleveland104–109 (OT)Allen (29)Allen, Rondo (7)Rondo (6)Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		11–2
14November 29New York104–59Allen, Pierce (21)Garnett (11)Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		12–2
15November 30@ Miami95–85Pierce (27)Garnett (9)Rondo (6)American Airlines Arena
20,022		13–2
December: 13–1 (home: 6–1; road: 7–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
16December 2Cleveland80–70Allen (20)Garnett (8)Allen, Garnett, House, Pierce (3)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		14–2
17December 5@ Philadelphia113–103Garnett (22)Garnett (7)Pierce (12)Wachovia Center
15,779		15–2
18December 7Toronto112–84Garnett (23)Posey (10)Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		16–2
19December 8@ Chicago92–81Allen (21)Davis (12)Pierce (7)United Center
22,778		17–2
20December 12Sacramento90–78Pierce (26)Davis (9)Rondo (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		18–2
21December 14Milwaukee104–82Pierce (32)Garnett (7)Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		19–2
22December 16@ Toronto90–77Pierce (18)Garnett (8)Garnett (6)Air Canada Centre
19,800		20–2
23December 19Detroit85–87Garnett (26)Garnett (12)Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		20–3
24December 21Chicago107–82Pierce (22)Garnett, Pierce, Rondo (7)Garnett (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		21–3
25December 23Orlando103–91Pierce (24)Garnett, Perkins (12)Pierce, Rondo (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		22–3
26December 26@ Sacramento89–69Allen (17)Garnett (10)Pierce (6)ARCO Arena
17,317		23–3
27December 27@ Seattle104–96Pierce (37)Garnett (14)Rondo (5)KeyArena
17,072		24–3
28December 29@ Utah104–98Pierce (24)Garnett, Perkins (9)Rondo (7)EnergySolutions Arena
19,911		25–3
29December 30@ L. A. Lakers110–91Pierce (33)Garnett (12)Garnett (6)Staples Center
18,997		26–3
January: 10–5 (home: 6–3; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
30January 2Houston97–93Garnett (26)Garnett (9)Rondo (9)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		27–3
31January 4Memphis100–96Garnett, Pierce (23)Pierce, Posey (10)Allen, Garnett, Pierce (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		28–3
32January 5@ Detroit92–85Davis (20)Perkins, Pierce (9)Pierce (7)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		29–3
33January 9Charlotte83–95Garnett (24)Perkins (10)Garnett, Posey (4)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		29–4
34January 11@ New Jersey86–77Garnett (20)Garnett (11)Pierce (5)Izod Center
20,049		30–4
35January 12@ Washington78–85Garnett (19)Perkins (7)Pierce (6)Verizon Center
20,173		30–5
36January 14Washington83–88Garnett (23)Garnett (9)Garnett (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		30–6
37January 16Portland100–90Allen (35)Pierce (8)House, Pierce (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		31–6
38January 18Philadelphia116–89Allen (23)Perkins (7)Garnett (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		32–6
39January 21@ New York109–93Perkins (24)Garnett (13)Garnett, Pierce (7)Madison Square Garden
19,763		33–6
40January 23Toronto112–114Garnett (26)Garnett (7)Pierce (9)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		33–7
41January 25Minnesota87–86Perkins (21)Garnett (16)Pierce (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		34–7
42January 27@ Orlando93–96Pierce (24)Pierce, Powe (9)Rondo (5)Amway Arena
17,519		34–8
43January 29@ Miami117–87Powe (25)Powe (11)Allen (6)American Airlines Arena
19,600		35–8
44January 31Dallas96–90Allen, Pierce (26)Rondo (12)Rondo (4)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		36–8
February: 9–4 (home: 5–0; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
45February 5@ Cleveland113–114Allen (24)Rondo (7)Allen (5)Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		36–9
46February 6L. A. Clippers111–100Rondo (24)Powe (10)Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		37–9
47February 8@ Minnesota88–86Pierce (18)Powe (8)Pierce (6)Target Center
19,511		38–9
48February 10San Antonio98–90Pierce (35)Rondo (11)Rondo (12)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		39–9
49February 12@ Indiana104–97Pierce (28)Pierce (12)Rondo (7)Conseco Fieldhouse
13,603		40–9
50February 13New York111–103Pierce (24)Posey (11)Pierce (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		41–9
All-Star Break
51February 19@ Denver118–124Pierce (24)Powe (11)Pierce (7)Pepsi Center
19,894		41–10
52February 20@ Golden State117–119Allen (32)Garnett (15)Allen, Rondo (6)Oracle Arena
20,711		41–11
53February 22@ Phoenix77–85Garnett (19)Perkins, Pierce (6)Garnett (4)US Airways Center
18,422		41–12
54February 24@ Portland112–102Pierce (30)Garnett, Pierce (7)Rondo (8)Rose Garden
20,554		42–12
55February 25@ L. A. Clippers104–76Pierce, Posey (17)Perkins (9)Allen (7)Staples Center
19,328		43–12
56February 27Cleveland92–87Allen (22)Garnett (11)Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		44–12
57February 29Charlotte108–100Allen (23)Garnett, Perkins (9)Rondo (16)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		45–12
March: 13–3 (home: 7–2; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
58March 2Atlanta98–88Pierce (30)Garnett (16)Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		46–12
59March 5Detroit90–78Garnett (31)Perkins (20)Allen, Pierce, Rondo (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		47–12
60March 7Chicago116–93Pierce (22)Perkins (11)House, Pierce (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		48–12
61March 8@ Memphis119–89Allen (23)Perkins (11)Rondo (9)FedExForum
18,119		49–12
62March 10@ Philadelphia100–86Garnett (26)Garnett (12)Rondo (8)Wachovia Center
20,438		50–12
63March 12Seattle111–82Allen, Garnett (18)Allen (7)Pierce (11)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		51–12
64March 14Utah92–110Garnett (15)Perkins (7)Garnett (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		51–13
65March 15@ Milwaukee99–77Garnett (19)Brown (9)Cassell (5)Bradley Center
17,626		52–13
66March 17@ San Antonio93–91Pierce (22)Garnett, Pierce (8)Pierce (5)AT&T Center
18,797		53–13
67March 18@ Houston94–74Garnett (22)Garnett (11)Pierce (5)Toyota Center
18,525		54–13
68March 20@ Dallas94–90Pierce (22)Garnett, Pierce (13)Cassell (6)American Airlines Center
20,582		55–13
69March 22@ New Orleans106–113Pierce (28)Garnett (12)Rondo (7)New Orleans Arena
18,280		55–14
70March 24Philadelphia90–95Garnett (18)Powe (7)Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		55–15
71March 26Phoenix117–97Garnett (30)Perkins (10)Allen (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		56–15
72March 28New Orleans112–92Pierce (27)Garnett (13)Pierce (9)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		57–15
73March 30Miami88–62Powe (17)Powe (13)Garnett (5)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		58–15
April: 8–1 (home: 3–0; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
74April 1@ Chicago106–92Allen (22)Perkins (9)Rondo (10)United Center
22,225		59–15
75April 2Indiana92–77Garnett (20)Garnett (11)Rondo (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		60–15
76April 5@ Charlotte101–78Powe (22)Powe (9)Rondo (5)Charlotte Bobcats Arena
19,403		61–15
77April 8@ Milwaukee107–104 (OT)Garnett (21)Perkins (10)Pierce (4)Bradley Center
15,921		62–15
78April 9@ Washington95–109Pierce (28)Garnett (14)Pierce, Rondo (7)Verizon Center
20,173		62–16
79April 11Milwaukee102–86Rondo (16)Garnett, Posey (8)Rondo (10)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		63–16
80April 12@ Atlanta99–89Garnett (24)Davis (10)Cassell, Rondo (5)Philips Arena
20,098		64–16
81April 14@ New York99–93Rondo (23)Rondo (10)Rondo (5)Madison Square Garden
19,763		65–16
82April 16New Jersey105–94Powe (27)Powe (11)Cassell (4)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		66–16
2007–08 season schedule

Playoffs

Although the Celtics had the best record in the NBA with 66–16 in the regular season, their path to their first championship since 1986 was far from easy. They ended up playing the most games a team had ever played in a postseason, with 26, surpassing the 1994 New York Knicks, whom Celtics coach Doc Rivers played for, and the 2005 Detroit Pistons, each of whom played 25, but lost their respective finals in seven games. This record was set in Game 6 of the Finals, in which they won the championship.[35]

2008 playoff game log
First Round: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 20AtlantaW 104–81Ray Allen (18)Kevin Garnett (10)Rajon Rondo (9)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		1–0
2April 23AtlantaW 96–77Kevin Garnett (19)Kevin Garnett (10)Rajon Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		2–0
3April 26@ AtlantaL 93–102Kevin Garnett (32)Kevin Garnett (10)Paul Pierce (8)Philips Arena
19,725		2–1
4April 28@ AtlantaL 92–97Ray Allen (21)Kevin Garnett (9)Rajon Rondo (12)Philips Arena
20,016		2–2
5April 30AtlantaW 110–85Paul Pierce (22)Paul Pierce (7)Kevin Garnett (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		3–2
6May 2@ AtlantaL 100–103Kevin Garnett (22)Kevin Garnett (7)Kevin Garnett (6)Philips Arena
20,425		3–3
7May 4AtlantaW 99–65Paul Pierce (22)Kevin Garnett (11)Rajon Rondo (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		4–3
Conference Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 6ClevelandW 76–72Kevin Garnett (28)Perkins (12)Rajon Rondo (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		1–0
2May 8ClevelandW 89–73Paul Pierce (19)Kevin Garnett (12)Rajon Rondo (6)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		2–0
3May 10@ ClevelandL 84–108Kevin Garnett (17)Kevin Garnett (9)Paul Pierce (5)Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		2–1
4May 12@ ClevelandL 77–88three players tied (15)Kevin Garnett (10)Garnett, Rondo (4)Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		2–2
5May 14ClevelandW 96–89Paul Pierce (29)Kevin Garnett (16)Rajon Rondo (13)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		3–2
6May 16@ ClevelandL 69–74Kevin Garnett (25)Kevin Garnett (8)Kevin Garnett (5)Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		3–3
7May 18ClevelandW 97–92Paul Pierce (41)Kevin Garnett (13)Rajon Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		4–3
Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 20DetroitW 88–79Kevin Garnett (26)Kendrick Perkins (10)Rajon Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		1–0
2May 22DetroitL 97–103Paul Pierce (26)Kevin Garnett (13)Rajon Rondo (8)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		1–1
3May 24@ DetroitW 94–80Kevin Garnett (22)Kevin Garnett (13)Ray Allen (6)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		2–1
4May 26@ DetroitL 75–94Garnett, Pierce (16)Kevin Garnett (10)Rajon Rondo (4)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		2–2
5May 28DetroitW 106–102Kevin Garnett (33)Kendrick Perkins (16)Rajon Rondo (13)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		3–2
6May 30@ DetroitW 89–81Paul Pierce (27)Paul Pierce (8)Kevin Garnett (4)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		4–2
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1June 5L.A. LakersW 98–88Kevin Garnett (24)Kevin Garnett (13)Rajon Rondo (7)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		1–0
2June 8L.A. LakersW 108–102Paul Pierce (28)Kevin Garnett (14)Rajon Rondo (16)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		2–0
3June 10@ L.A. LakersL 81–87Ray Allen (25)Kevin Garnett (12)Kevin Garnett (5)Staples Center
18,997		2–1
4June 12@ L.A. LakersW 97–91Paul Pierce (20)Kevin Garnett (11)Paul Pierce (7)Staples Center
18,997		3–1
5June 15@ L.A. LakersL 98–103Paul Pierce (38)Kevin Garnett (14)Paul Pierce (8)Staples Center
18,997		3–2
6June 17L.A. LakersW 131–92Garnett, Allen (26)Kevin Garnett (14)Paul Pierce (10)TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		4–2
2008 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

Season

Boston Celtics statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Ray Allen737335.9.445.398.9073.73.10.890.2217.4
Tony Allen751118.3.434.316.7622.21.50.830.286.6
P. J. Brown18011.6.341.000.6883.80.60.280.442.2
Sam Cassell17117.6.385.409.8401.82.10.500.207.6
Glen Davis69113.6.484.000.6603.00.40.450.294.5
Kevin Garnett717132.8.539.000.8019.23.41.411.2518.8
Eddie House78219.0.409.393.9172.11.90.760.137.5
Kendrick Perkins787824.5.615.000.6236.11.10.401.466.9
Paul Pierce808035.9.464.392.8435.14.51.260.4519.6
Scot Pollard2207.9.522.000.6821.70.10.140.271.8
James Posey74224.6.418.380.8094.41.50.970.267.4
Leon Powe56514.4.572.000.7104.10.30.270.297.9
Gabe Pruitt1506.3.359.250.5000.50.90.330.002.1
Rajon Rondo777729.9.492.263.6114.25.11.680.1710.6
Brian Scalabrine48910.7.309.326.7501.60.80.190.171.8

Playoffs

Boston Celtics statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Ray Allen262638.0.428.396.9133.82.70.920.3115.6
Tony Allen1504.3.563.000.4000.20.20.130.001.3
P. J. Brown25013.6.464.000.8402.40.50.200.402.9
Sam Cassell21012.6.333.214.8240.71.20.380.054.5
Glen Davis1708.1.412.000.6111.50.40.290.242.3
Kevin Garnett262638.0.495.250.81010.53.31.351.1220.4
Eddie House2107.9.304.355.8751.00.90.240.052.5
Kendrick Perkins252525.2.585.000.6786.10.50.601.286.6
Paul Pierce262638.1.441.361.8025.04.61.080.3119.7
Scot Pollard000.0.000.000.0000.00.00.000.000.0
James Posey26022.0.437.398.8753.61.11.000.316.7
Leon Powe23111.7.493.000.6672.70.20.000.135.0
Gabe Pruitt000.0.000.000.0000.00.00.000.000.0
Rajon Rondo262632.0.407.250.6914.16.61.730.3110.2
Brian Scalabrine000.0.000.000.0000.00.00.000.000.0

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month

  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from November 5 through November 11.[36]
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November.[37]
  • Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 10 through December 16.[38]
  • Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 24 through December 30.[39]
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 17 through March 23.[40][41]
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in March.[42]
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from April 7 through April 13.[43]
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in April.[44]

All-Star

Season

Records

Season

  • Kevin Garnett joined a very short list of NBA players to record a 20 point, 20 rebound, 5 assist game in their first night with a new team, with the others being Charles Barkley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Maurice Stokes, against the Washington Wizards on November 2.[57]
  • With an 8–0 season start, the Celtics were off to their best opening since winning 10 in a row to start the 1972–73 season.[58]
  • Kevin Garnett's streak of 410 consecutive games with double figures in points came to an end as he scored only 8 points in Boston's 104–59 blowout victory[59] over the New York Knicks on November 29, 2007. This was the longest streak among active players and is good for 7th in NBA history, with Michael Jordan holding the record with 840 games.[60]
  • The Celtics marked their 6th biggest win in the history of the franchise and the biggest since a 153–107 victory over the Washington Wizards in the 1970–71 season with a 104–59 blowout victory over the New York Knicks on November 29, 2007. Their biggest win came against the Golden State Warriors in the 1961–62 season with a 153–102 victory.[59]
  • With a 12–0 season start at home, the Celtics matched their 2nd best home opening since winning 12 in a row to start the 1984–85 season. Their best home opening came in the 1957–58 season, when they started the season with 17 wins in a row.[61]
  • The Celtics matched their longest winning streak since the 1992–93 season, when they won 9 in a row from March 16 to 31, 1993, with a win against the Toronto Raptors on December 16.[62]
  • With a 20–2 start, the Celtics matched the best start in franchise history. The only other team to achieve that record was the 1963–64 Celtics.[62]
  • With a 27–3 start, the Celtics matched the best start through 30 games in NBA history. One of the other 5 teams to accomplish that record was the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls, who held the NBA record for most games won in a single season, with a record of 72–10, until 2016.[63]
  • Prior to their matchup on January 5, the Celtics and Pistons combined for the 3rd highest winning percentage (.844) in the shot clock era after at least 30 games.[64]
  • The Celtics matched their best start in the history of the franchise by reaching 30 wins after only 34 games.[65]
  • With a 34–7 start, the Celtics matched their best record at mid-season in the history of the franchise. The other 3 teams to achieve that record were the 1964–65, 1972–73 and 1984–85 Celtics.[66]
  • With a 16–0 start against the West, the Celtics were off to the 2nd best opening against teams from the other conference in NBA history. The only other team to accomplish that record was the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers, who won their first 19 games against Eastern Conference teams.[67]
  • With 16 assists against the New Orleans Hornets on February 29, Rajon Rondo had the most assists in a game by a Celtics player since Sherman Douglas had 18 on March 1, 1995.[68]
  • The Celtics won 10 straight games for the first time since the 1985–86 season, when they won 14 in a row from March 11 to April 4, 1986, with a win against the Seattle SuperSonics on March 12.[69][70]
  • The Celtics swept the Texas Triangle,[71] consisting of the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, with a record of 3–0 in consecutive road games from March 17 through March 20,[72] the first team to do it since the 2001–02 Sacramento Kings.[73] It was the 4th sweep in franchise history, and the first since the 1986–87 season.[74]
  • With a 6–0 record against the Texas Triangle, the Celtics were the 13th team in NBA history to sweep the season series against each of the three teams, doing it for the 5th time in franchise history,[75] and the first team since the 1999–2000 Milwaukee Bucks.[75]
  • The Celtics defeated every team in the league at least once for the first time since the 1990–91 season.[76]
  • The Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround in franchise history by improving from 24 wins in 2006–07 to 66 wins in 2007–08, a total of 42 games.[77] The previous record of 32 games was held by the 1979–80 Celtics, who improved from 29 to 61 wins.[78]
  • The Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround in NBA history by improving from 24 wins in 2006–07 to 66 wins in 2007–08, a total of 42 games.[12] The previous record of 36 games was held by the 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs, who improved from 20 to 56 wins.[10][79]
  • The Celtics set a franchise record for fewest free throws attempted and made, with 5 and 4.[80]
  • With 3 Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards, Kevin Garnett has had the most such awards in a single season by a Celtics player since Larry Bird had 4 in the 1985–86 season.[81]
  • The Celtics sold out all 41 home games with an average attendance of 18,624 and set a single-season attendance record of 763,584.[82]

Playoffs

Finals

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

June 28, 2007
To Boston Celtics
Ray Allen, and the 35th pick in the 2007 NBA draft (Glen Davis)		To Seattle SuperSonics
Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the 5th pick in the 2007 NBA draft (Jeff Green)
July 31, 2007
To Boston Celtics
Kevin Garnett		To Minnesota Timberwolves
Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Boston's 2009 1st round pick, and Minnesota's own conditional 1st round pick

Free agents

See also

References

External links

Retrieved from "https:https://www.search.com.vn/wiki/index.php?lang=en&q=2007–08_Boston_Celtics_season&oldid=1214866135"
🔥 Top keywords: Main PageSpecial:SearchIndian Premier LeagueWikipedia:Featured picturesPornhubUEFA Champions League2024 Indian Premier LeagueFallout (American TV series)Jontay PorterXXXTentacionAmar Singh ChamkilaFallout (series)Cloud seedingReal Madrid CFCleopatraRama NavamiRichard GaddDeaths in 2024Civil War (film)Shōgun (2024 miniseries)2024 Indian general electionJennifer PanO. J. SimpsonElla PurnellBaby ReindeerCaitlin ClarkLaverne CoxXXX (film series)Facebook2023–24 UEFA Champions LeagueYouTubeCandidates Tournament 2024InstagramList of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finalsJude BellinghamMichael Porter Jr.Andriy LuninCarlo AncelottiBade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024 film)