The One With the Celtics Game

 

 

 

Tonight, we did something new on Thanksgiving Eve. We attended a Celtics game.

 Now, with this being an off year because of Jayson Tatum's injury, the team has been average at best. As a result, I didn't expect much from this game. Along with that, the team was playing the Detroit Pistons, who were on a 13 game winning streak. I assumed it would be 14 by the end of the night.

 Because it was a release day, I zipped home. The game was an NBA cup game, so it had a 5 PM tip off...which was wild!

We had our foray to Outback, like we do most Thanksgiving Eves and then went to the game. We arrived with about 20 minutes to spare. We had seats behind the basket on the team bench side. The seats were great.

However, even better than the seats was the excitement of the game. It was the best game I had been to since the Celtics played the Pistons in Double OT years ago. The game went back and forth with multiple lead changes, horrific officiating, and a raucous crowd.

The Celtics pulled off the win in the end...which meant we weren't leaving early like normal.

Great game!!

 

The One With the Celtics vs. Kings

 

 

This Friday, we went as a family to the Celtics game. It was a Christmas gift from Emmie for all of us.

Now, truth be told, the Celtics have been a little flat this season. They actually were returning home from a 3-1 west coast road trip. They had looked good, so I was hoping they would be. But, they came out looking awful against the Kings...and got blown out. They were so bad, they were booed...and they deserved it.

While the game was atrocious, the actual experience was not. We started the evening off eating at the Harp. They had redone it since I had last been in. The food was great and there was definitely a Celtics crowd.

We had some amazing seats as well. They came complete with posters. But, perhaps even cooler, was we were right near where Eddie House sits. Soooo cool. And, they actual hosted some of the fan fest activities from there, during the game. In fact, one of the people from our row was called to "follow the ball" game.

After half time, I had an amazing surprise. While waiting to return to our seats - we now have to wait until a break in the action - I turned around and saw one of my students, named Luke, and a friend from school. He was totally shocked, as was I. And, because he is a BIG BU fan, I could not help but point of the BC banner hanging from the rafters.

All an all, it was a great memory from a horrible game.

The One With Our First Celtics Game as a Family

This Tuesday, December 27, we did something we have never done before as a family. We went to our first Celtics game. In fact, it was the first time Bri or Kiff had ever been to one. Being huge Celtics fans - especially Kiff and I - it was a memorable event.

The Celtics had just come off a Christmas Day victory over the Bucks. They have had an up and down December after dominating much of the NBA in October and November, so I wasn't too sure what to expect.

However, before we got there, we went to Tasty Burger, where Kiff and I introduced the restaurant to Emmie and Bri. They both liked it.

Then, we went into the Garden. Of course, we had to buy the obligatory "merch" (that word still makes me cringe) and then got drinks.We went to our seats in Loge 7, Row 22 (worth remembering because they have a nice overhang in front to put drinks).

The game started off a bit slow, as the Celtics played pretty evenly with the Houston Rockets (who have one of the worst records in the league). Part of the problem was that the Celtics couldn't hit a three pointer for much of the first half (they were shooting 20% for most of the half). Ugh!

The best part of the first half was that the Celtics honored Paul Silas, a former Celtic who recently passed away, and whose son, Steven, was coach of the Rockets. That was a touching moment (he later expressed appreciation for it and mentioned his brother and sister were there).

By midway through the third quarter, the Celtics finally kicked it in gear and pulled away. In fact, much to Kiff's chagrin, we were able to leave with 4 minutes left in the game.

It proved to be quite a game. In fact, Rob Williams tied a record with Paul Silas for most rebounds (15) in less than 20 minutes played - which was cool. The Celtics also set their own franchise record for most threes taken in a game....they missed more than 50 percent of them.

Overall, a VERY MEMORABLE evening.

The One With the Wicked Good Bruins and Celtics Starts

 

 

 GO CELTICS AND BRUINS

I haven't remembered a winter sports season off to as exciting a start as this one. The Bruins enter a game tonight with a 16 and 2 record. WOW. They have tried the league record with most home wins to start the season with 11. They welcome a lot of former players back, such as David Krjeci and Patrice Bergeron. They team  is playing amazing and have multiple players scoring. They are leading the NHL in points.

 

On the court side, the Celtics began the year 4-2. They have gone 9-1 since then as they entering tonight's game, gaining the lead in the NBA with the best record. They have had to navigate some injuries, a head coaching change, and resting players. However, they have developed a team that is currently 12 players deep, that will grow to 13 when Rob Williams gets back. 

 

Both teams play tonight. I can't wait!!!

The One Where the NBA FInals Returns to Boston

 

It has been almost 12 years to the day (minus a week). But tonight, the NBA Finals returned to the TD Boston Garden for the first time since June 13, 2010 (a game the Celtics won to go up 3-2 in the Finals).

Tonight, the Celtics are playing Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors. The crowd is amped. The Celtics seem ready to get back at the Warriors and Draymond Green (whose antics got them Celtics off track in the last game).

 

The Celtics are trying to push the tempo and ahead 18 to 9 with 5:25 left in quarter 1.

 

GO CELTICS!!!

The One With 60 Points

 Earlier tonight I witnessed something I never thought I would see in a Celtics game. It began with the Celtics being down by 32 points at the beginning of the second half.

Yikes!

But the team fought back and tied the game at the end of regulation. In overtime, they came back to bear the Spurs and win by 3.

What is most amazing is that Jayson Tatum tied Larry Bird for the most points ever in a Celtics game with 60. I missed Larry score in back in 85...but it was amazing to see Tatum do it in 21.

Wow! What a game!

The One Where We Lose Alex Trebek and Tommy Heinsohn in the Same Week

 

It is hard to believe, but this past Sunday (November 8), it was announced that game show icon Alex Trebek passed away at the age of 80.

 

Earlier today (November 10) it was announced that Celtics icon Tommy Heinsohn passed away at the age of 86.

 

So hard to believe two amazing legends in their fields are gone...and with them, two truly remarkable voices.

 

Rest In Peace

The One With the Celtics New Season

It is 7:40 PM on October 2, 2017. The new look Celtics with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are taking to the court.

It is weird. The tip is 7:41 and the Celtics won it. Irving and Hayward have already touched the ball.

It is hard to believe that a new era in Celtics basketball is starting.

I can only imagine what the future will hold for this team.

PS Jaylen Brown scored the first two points for this new look team.

 

The One Where The Celtics Get The Number One Pick

It is amazing.

Something that never happened before

And no one was too sure it was going to happen.

But as of this week, the Celtics - by virtue of the Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett trade

Earned the number 1 pick in the NBA lottery.

Amazing!

Go Celtics.

The One Where the Celtics Win

Two nights ago, Emmie and I fell asleep downstairs.

We were in luck. We woke up a little bit after midnight. Just in time to see the NBA game of the year.

We saw the Boston Celtics playing in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors had not lost at home this season and are an incredible team. They were riding a 54 game home winning streak.

Then, it happened. The Celtics, who have played the Warriors close for the past two years, played a typical tough defensive game. They are a team on the rise who play a fast tempo, small basketball. On this night, the played even tougher than usual...and they did the unthinkable (at least it was when the game started).

They beat the Warriors 109-106....amazing! And luckily, we woke up to see it.

The One with the Celtics Game

Last week, we had the opportunity to go to a Celtics game against the Pacers. I hadn't gone for several years, so it was a great experience.

Unfortunately, the Celtics were a little sloppy in the game. It was the second of a back to back and it showed. 

Still, the experience at the Garden is a blast. And this particular team has been doing pretty well this year. They are a solid team with ten players who have been starters at different times and they can win in many ways. It is great to be a part of that experience.