1991–92 Boston Celtics season | |
---|---|
Division champions | |
Head coach | Chris Ford |
General manager | Dave Gavitt |
Owners | Don Gaston Alan N. Cohen Paul Dupee |
Arena | Boston Garden Hartford Civic Center |
Results | |
Record | 51–31 (.622) |
Place | Division: 1st (Atlantic) Conference: 2nd (Eastern) |
Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to Cavaliers 3–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | WFXT (Tom Heinsohn, Bob Cousy) SportsChannel New England (Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn) |
Radio | WEEI (Glenn Ordway, Doug Brown) |
The 1991–92 NBA season was the 46th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association.[1] This marked the thirteenth and final NBA season for All-Star forward, and Celtics legend Larry Bird, who would retire after the season.[2][3][4][5] Bird missed nearly half of the season due to a nagging back injury, only playing just 45 games.[6][7][8] Midway through the season in January, the Celtics traded Brian Shaw to the Miami Heat in exchange for Sherman Douglas.[9][10][11] The Celtics trailed the New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division for the first half of the season, holding a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[12] But a furious rally at the end of the season helped the Celtics finish with a 51–31 record, and claim the division title (and the #2 Eastern Conference seed, although since they finished six games behind the #3 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in record, Cleveland would have home court in a head-to-head playoff series).[13] The Celtics also qualified for the playoffs for the thirteenth consecutive season.[14]
One of the season highlights for Bird was a 49-point performance in a nationally televised double-overtime win over eventual Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers.[15][16] It was the most points for Bird since February 15, 1988, when he scored 49 at Phoenix Suns. Bird averaged 20.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, while Reggie Lewis led the team with 20.8 points and 1.5 steals per game. Bird and Lewis were both selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, but Bird did not play due to injury.[17][18] In addition, Robert Parish averaged 14.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and surpassed the 20,000 point mark,[19][20] while sixth man Kevin McHale provided the team with 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game off the bench, but only played 56 games due to a leg injury,[6][7] Kevin Gamble provided with 13.5 points per game, and second-year guard Dee Brown contributed 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game,[21] but only played just 31 games due to a knee injury.[22][23] Also, top draft pick Rick Fox was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
In the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in three straight games of the Eastern Conference First Round,[24][25][26] then took a 2–1 series lead over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals,[27][28] but lost in seven games.[29][30][31][32]
Following the loss, the Celtics would not win a playoff series for another ten years.
Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | Rick Fox | SF | Canada | North Carolina |
Roster
1991–92 Boston Celtics roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Regular season
Season standings
W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Boston Celtics | 51 | 31 | .622 | — | 34–7 | 17–24 | 19–9 |
x-New York Knicks | 51 | 31 | .622 | — | 30–11 | 21–20 | 20–8 |
x-New Jersey Nets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 11 | 25–16 | 15–26 | 15–13 |
x-Miami Heat | 38 | 44 | .463 | 13 | 28–13 | 10–31 | 14–14 |
Philadelphia 76ers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 16 | 23–18 | 12–29 | 15–13 |
Washington Bullets | 25 | 57 | .305 | 26 | 14–27 | 11–30 | 7–21 |
Orlando Magic | 21 | 61 | .256 | 30 | 13–28 | 8–33 | 8–20 |
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
# | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | z-Chicago Bulls | 67 | 15 | .817 | – |
2 | y-Boston Celtics | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16 |
3 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 57 | 25 | .695 | 10 |
4 | x-New York Knicks | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16 |
5 | x-Detroit Pistons | 48 | 34 | .585 | 19 |
6 | x-New Jersey Nets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 27 |
7 | x-Indiana Pacers | 40 | 42 | .488 | 27 |
8 | x-Miami Heat | 38 | 44 | .463 | 29 |
9 | Atlanta Hawks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 29 |
10 | Philadelphia 76ers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 32 |
11 | Milwaukee Bucks | 31 | 51 | .378 | 36 |
12 | Charlotte Hornets | 31 | 51 | .378 | 36 |
13 | Washington Bullets | 25 | 57 | .305 | 42 |
14 | Orlando Magic | 21 | 61 | .256 | 46 |
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1991-92 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | – | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–5 | 0–5 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Boston | 1–3 | – | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 5–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Charlotte | 2–2 | 1–3 | – | 0–4 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
Chicago | 5–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | – | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Cleveland | 5–0 | 1–3 | 3–2 | 2–3 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 3–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–4 | 0–2 |
Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | – | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–5 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 4–1 | 0–4 | 4–1 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
Houston | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 2–0 |
Indiana | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 2–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–2 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Miami | 2–2 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 |
Milwaukee | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Minnesota | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 |
New Jersey | 1–3 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | – | 2–3 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
New York | 2–2 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | – | 4–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
Orlando | 2–2 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–4 | – | 3–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 2–3 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 5–0 |
Phoenix | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 3–2 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Portland | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | – | 5–0 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Sacramento | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–5 | – | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
San Antonio | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 3–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 |
Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 1–3 | – | 3–1 | 2–0 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 1–3 | – | 2–0 |
Washington | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — |
Game log
Playoffs
Player statistics
GP | Games 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 |
Awards and records
- Rick Fox, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team
Transactions
References
- ↑ 1991-92 Boston Celtics
- ↑ Brown, Clifton (August 19, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Bird Unlaces His Sneakers and Says Goodbye". The New York Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ Heisler, Mark (August 19, 1992). "LARRY BIRD RETIRES: It Was Just a Hate-Love Relationship: Basketball: The Lakers Wanted to Kill the Mocking Bird, Until They Got to Know Him. Then They Just Wanted to Beat Him". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ Arace, Michael (August 19, 1992). "A Final Buzzer Bird Can't Beat". Hartford Courant. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ Thomsen, Ian (August 20, 1992). "Cheers for the Old Larry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- 1 2 "PRO BASKETBALL; Bird Is Placed on Injured List". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 7, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- 1 2 "Bird Is Put on Injured List, Because of Inflammed Back". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 7, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Bird Begins Therapy and Hopes for Best". The New York Times. July 7, 1992. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ↑ "Celtics Trade Shaw to Heat for Douglas". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 11, 1992. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ↑ Winderman, Ira (January 11, 1992). "Douglas to Celtics for Shaw". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ Brown, Clifton (January 12, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Injured Celtics Send Shaw to the Heat for Douglas". The New York Times. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ↑ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ "1991–92 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ↑ "Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ↑ "Results Plus". The New York Times. March 16, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ Hafner, Dan (March 16, 1992). "NBA ROUNDUP: Bird Gets 49; Celtics Win in Two Overtimes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ Heisler, Mark (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ "BASKETBALL; For Parish, 20,000 Points and Counting". The New York Times. January 18, 1992. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ↑ Aldridge, David (April 29, 1992). "Parish a Chief at Peace". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ↑ "1991–92 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ↑ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Walter Davis Waived by Trail Blazers". The New York Times. October 30, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ↑ Arace, Michael (November 1, 1991). "Ready or Not, Here Come the Celtics". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ↑ "PRO BASKETBALL; One Down, How Many to Go? Depleted Celtics Sweep Pacers". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 28, 1992. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ↑ Arace, Michael (April 29, 1992). "Look Who's Talking". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ↑ "1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ↑ "BASKETBALL; Late Rally Puts Celtics One Up on the Cavaliers". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 9, 1992. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ↑ Arace, Michael (May 9, 1992). "Bird Still Needs Time, But Brown Going Strong". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ↑ George, Thomas (May 18, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Cavalier Youth Serves Up a Blowout of Aging Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ↑ "Cavaliers Step Up Into Conference finals: NBA Playoffs: Daugherty Scores 16 Points in the First Quarter as Cleveland Beats Celtics". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 18, 1992. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ Arace, Michael (May 18, 1992). "The Bird Question: Answer to Take Time". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ↑ "1992 NBA Eastern Conference semifinals: Celtics vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.