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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, known as the Big Three, 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. The Celtics also sold out all 41 regular-season home games. The Celtics had the tenth best team offensive rating and the best team defensive rating in the NBA.

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 , 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.

This was the last time the Celtics won an NBA championship until the 2023–24 season.

Key dates

Summary

NBA draft 2007: The Ray Allen trade

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. 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.

Kevin Garnett trade

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. 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. 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.

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, just two days after the Garnett trade, and center Scot Pollard on August 9. 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. Miller strongly considered the possibility of playing alongside Garnett, but ultimately announced on August 23 that he would not join the Celtics. 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.

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. 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.

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. On February 27, the Celtics signed center P.J. Brown for the remainder of the season, in order to bolster their front court. 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. On March 4, 2008, the Celtics officially announced that they had signed guard Sam Cassell. After the signing, Cassell immediately flew back to his hometown of Baltimore to attend funeral services for a deceased family member. This signing ultimately put the roster up to the league maximum of 15 players.

Draft picks

Roster

Regular season

Standings

Game log

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 1 || November 2 || Washington || 103–83 || Pierce (28) || Garnett (20) || Garnett (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 1–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || November 4 || @ Toronto || 98–95 (OT) || Allen (33) || Garnett (13) || Garnett, Pierce (6) ||Air Canada Centre<br>19,800 || 2–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || November 7 || Denver || 119–93 || Pierce (26) || Garnett (13) || Garnett (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 3–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 4 || November 9 || Atlanta || 106–83 || Garnett (27) || Garnett (19) || Rondo (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 4–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 5 || November 10 || @ New Jersey || 112–101 || Pierce (28) || Garnett (14) || Garnett (6) ||Izod Center<br>18,171 || 5–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6 || November 13 || @ Indiana || 101–86 || Pierce (31) || Garnett, Pierce (11) || Pierce (6) ||Conseco Fieldhouse<br>12,143 || 6–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || November 14 || New Jersey || 91–69 || Garnett (16) || Garnett, Perkins (8) || Allen (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 7–0 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 8 || November 16 || Miami || 92–91 || Garnett (26) || Garnett (11) || Rondo (10) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 8–0 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || November 18 || @ Orlando || 102–104 || Pierce (28) || Garnett (11) || Pierce (6) ||Amway Arena<br>17,519 || 8–1 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 10 || November 21 || Golden State || 105–82 || Allen (21) || Garnett, Pierce (10) || Rondo (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 9–1 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 11 || November 23 || L. A. Lakers || 107–94 || Garnett, Perkins (21) || Garnett (11) || Rondo (10) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 10–1 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 12 || November 24 || @ Charlotte || 96–95 || Garnett, Pierce (23) || Garnett (11) || Pierce (7) ||Charlotte Bobcats Arena<br>19,201 || 11–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || November 27 || @ Cleveland || 104–109 (OT) || Allen (29) || Allen, Rondo (7) || Rondo (6) ||Quicken Loans Arena<br>20,562 || 11–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || November 29 || New York || 104–59 || Allen, Pierce (21) || Garnett (11) || Rondo (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 12–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15 || November 30 || @ Miami || 95–85 || Pierce (27) || Garnett (9) || Rondo (6) ||American Airlines Arena<br>20,022 || 13–2 |-

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || December 2 || Cleveland || 80–70 || Allen (20) || Garnett (8) || Allen, Garnett, House, Pierce (3) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 14–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || December 5 || @ Philadelphia || 113–103 || Garnett (22) || Garnett (7) || Pierce (12) ||Wachovia Center<br>15,779 || 15–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 18 || December 7 || Toronto || 112–84 || Garnett (23) || Posey (10) || Rondo (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 16–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 19 || December 8 || @ Chicago || 92–81 || Allen (21) || Davis (12) || Pierce (7) ||United Center<br>22,778 || 17–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 20 || December 12 || Sacramento || 90–78 || Pierce (26) || Davis (9) || Rondo (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 18–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || December 14 || Milwaukee || 104–82 || Pierce (32) || Garnett (7) || Rondo (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 19–2 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 22 || December 16 || @ Toronto || 90–77 || Pierce (18) || Garnett (8) || Garnett (6) ||Air Canada Centre<br>19,800 || 20–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || December 19 || Detroit || 85–87|| Garnett (26) || Garnett (12) || Rondo (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 20–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24 || December 21 || Chicago || 107–82 || Pierce (22) || Garnett, Pierce, Rondo (7) || Garnett (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 21–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25 || December 23 || Orlando || 103–91 || Pierce (24) || Garnett, Perkins (12) || Pierce, Rondo (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 22–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || December 26 || @ Sacramento || 89–69 || Allen (17) || Garnett (10) || Pierce (6) ||ARCO Arena<br>17,317 || 23–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || December 27 || @ Seattle || 104–96 || Pierce (37) || Garnett (14) || Rondo (5) ||KeyArena<br>17,072 || 24–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || December 29 || @ Utah || 104–98 || Pierce (24) || Garnett, Perkins (9) || Rondo (7) ||EnergySolutions Arena<br>19,911 || 25–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || December 30 || @ L. A. Lakers || 110–91 || Pierce (33) || Garnett (12) || Garnett (6) ||Staples Center<br>18,997 || 26–3 |-

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 30 || January 2 || Houston || 97–93 || Garnett (26) || Garnett (9) || Rondo (9) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 27–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || January 4 || Memphis || 100–96 || Garnett, Pierce (23) || Pierce, Posey (10) || Allen, Garnett, Pierce (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 28–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || January 5 || @ Detroit || 92–85 || Davis (20) || Perkins, Pierce (9) || Pierce (7) ||The Palace of Auburn Hills<br>22,076 || 29–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || January 9 || Charlotte || 83–95 || Garnett (24) || Perkins (10) || Garnett, Posey (4) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 29–4 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34 || January 11 || @ New Jersey || 86–77 || Garnett (20) || Garnett (11) || Pierce (5) ||Izod Center<br>20,049 || 30–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || January 12 || @ Washington || 78–85 || Garnett (19) || Perkins (7) || Pierce (6) ||Verizon Center<br>20,173 || 30–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || January 14 || Washington || 83–88 || Garnett (23) || Garnett (9) || Garnett (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 30–6 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 37 || January 16 || Portland || 100–90 || Allen (35) || Pierce (8) || House, Pierce (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 31–6 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || January 18 || Philadelphia || 116–89 || Allen (23) || Perkins (7) || Garnett (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 32–6 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39 || January 21 || @ New York || 109–93 || Perkins (24) || Garnett (13) || Garnett, Pierce (7) ||Madison Square Garden<br>19,763 || 33–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || January 23 || Toronto || 112–114 || Garnett (26) || Garnett (7) || Pierce (9) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 33–7 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || January 25 || Minnesota || 87–86 || Perkins (21) || Garnett (16) || Pierce (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 34–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || January 27 || @ Orlando || 93–96 || Pierce (24) || Pierce, Powe (9) || Rondo (5) ||Amway Arena<br>17,519 || 34–8 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 43 || January 29 || @ Miami || 117–87 || Powe (25) || Powe (11) || Allen (6) ||American Airlines Arena<br>19,600 || 35–8 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || January 31 || Dallas || 96–90 || Allen, Pierce (26) || Rondo (12) || Rondo (4) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 36–8 |-

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 45 || February 5 || @ Cleveland || 113–114 || Allen (24) || Rondo (7) || Allen (5) ||Quicken Loans Arena<br>20,562 || 36–9 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || February 6 || L. A. Clippers || 111–100 || Rondo (24) || Powe (10) || Rondo (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 37–9 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 47 || February 8 || @ Minnesota || 88–86 || Pierce (18) || Powe (8) || Pierce (6) ||Target Center<br>19,511 || 38–9 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 48 || February 10 || San Antonio || 98–90 || Pierce (35) || Rondo (11) || Rondo (12) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 39–9 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 49 || February 12 || @ Indiana || 104–97 || Pierce (28) || Pierce (12) || Rondo (7) ||Conseco Fieldhouse<br>13,603 || 40–9 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 50 || February 13 || New York || 111–103 || Pierce (24) || Posey (11) || Pierce (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 41–9 |- align="center" | colspan="9" style="background:#bbcaff;" | All-Star Break |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || February 19 || @ Denver || 118–124 || Pierce (24) || Powe (11) || Pierce (7) ||Pepsi Center<br>19,894 || 41–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 52 || February 20 || @ Golden State || 117–119 || Allen (32) || Garnett (15) || Allen, Rondo (6) ||Oracle Arena<br>20,711 || 41–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || February 22 || @ Phoenix || 77–85 || Garnett (19) || Perkins, Pierce (6) || Garnett (4) ||US Airways Center<br>18,422 || 41–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 54 || February 24 || @ Portland || 112–102 || Pierce (30) || Garnett, Pierce (7) || Rondo (8) ||Rose Garden<br>20,554 || 42–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 55 || February 25 || @ L. A. Clippers || 104–76 || Pierce, Posey (17) || Perkins (9) || Allen (7) ||Staples Center<br>19,328 || 43–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || February 27 || Cleveland || 92–87 || Allen (22) || Garnett (11) || Rondo (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 44–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 57 || February 29 || Charlotte || 108–100 || Allen (23) || Garnett, Perkins (9) || Rondo (16) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 45–12 |-

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 58 || March 2 || Atlanta || 98–88 || Pierce (30) || Garnett (16) || Rondo (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 46–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 59 || March 5 || Detroit || 90–78 || Garnett (31) || Perkins (20) || Allen, Pierce, Rondo (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 47–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 60 || March 7 || Chicago || 116–93 || Pierce (22) || Perkins (11) || House, Pierce (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 48–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 61 || March 8 || @ Memphis || 119–89 || Allen (23) || Perkins (11) || Rondo (9) ||FedExForum<br>18,119 || 49–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 62 || March 10 || @ Philadelphia || 100–86 || Garnett (26) || Garnett (12) || Rondo (8) ||Wachovia Center<br>20,438 || 50–12 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 63 || March 12 || Seattle || 111–82 || Allen, Garnett (18) || Allen (7) || Pierce (11) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 51–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || March 14 || Utah || 92–110 || Garnett (15) || Perkins (7) || Garnett (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 51–13 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 65 || March 15 || @ Milwaukee || 99–77 || Garnett (19) || Brown (9) || Cassell (5) ||Bradley Center<br>17,626 || 52–13 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 66 || March 17 || @ San Antonio || 93–91 || Pierce (22) || Garnett, Pierce (8) || Pierce (5) ||AT&T Center<br>18,797 || 53–13 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 67 || March 18 || @ Houston || 94–74 || Garnett (22) || Garnett (11) || Pierce (5) ||Toyota Center<br>18,525 || 54–13 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 68 || March 20 || @ Dallas || 94–90 || Pierce (22) || Garnett, Pierce (13) || Cassell (6) ||American Airlines Center<br>20,582 || 55–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 69 || March 22 || @ New Orleans || 106–113 || Pierce (28) || Garnett (12) || Rondo (7) ||New Orleans Arena<br>18,280 || 55–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || March 24 || Philadelphia || 90–95 || Garnett (18) || Powe (7) || Rondo (7) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 55–15 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 71 || March 26 || Phoenix || 117–97 || Garnett (30) || Perkins (10) || Allen (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 56–15 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 72 || March 28 || New Orleans || 112–92 || Pierce (27) || Garnett (13) || Pierce (9) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 57–15 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 73 || March 30 || Miami || 88–62 || Powe (17) || Powe (13) || Garnett (5) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 58–15 |-

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 74 || April 1 || @ Chicago || 106–92 || Allen (22) || Perkins (9) || Rondo (10) ||United Center<br>22,225 || 59–15 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 75 || April 2 || Indiana || 92–77 || Garnett (20) || Garnett (11) || Rondo (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 60–15 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 76 || April 5 || @ Charlotte || 101–78 || Powe (22) || Powe (9) || Rondo (5) ||Charlotte Bobcats Arena<br>19,403 || 61–15 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 77 || April 8 || @ Milwaukee || 107–104 (OT) || Garnett (21) || Perkins (10) || Pierce (4) ||Bradley Center<br>15,921 || 62–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || April 9 || @ Washington || 95–109 || Pierce (28) || Garnett (14) || Pierce, Rondo (7) ||Verizon Center<br>20,173 || 62–16 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 79 || April 11 || Milwaukee || 102–86 || Rondo (16) || Garnett, Posey (8) || Rondo (10) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 63–16 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 80 || April 12 || @ Atlanta || 99–89 || Garnett (24) || Davis (10) || Cassell, Rondo (5) ||Philips Arena<br>20,098 || 64–16 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81 || April 14 || @ New York || 99–93 || Rondo (23) || Rondo (10) || Rondo (5) ||Madison Square Garden<br>19,763 || 65–16 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 82 || April 16 || New Jersey || 105–94 || Powe (27) || Powe (11) || Cassell (4) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 || 66–16 |-

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 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.

|- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 20 | Atlanta | W 104–81 | Ray Allen (18) || Kevin Garnett (10) || Rajon Rondo (9) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 23 | Atlanta | W 96–77 | Kevin Garnett (19) || Kevin Garnett (10) || Rajon Rondo (8) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 2–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 26 | @ Atlanta | L 93–102 |Kevin Garnett (32)||Kevin Garnett (10)||Paul Pierce (8)||Philips Arena<br>19,725 | 2–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 28 | @ Atlanta | L 92–97 | Ray Allen (21) || Kevin Garnett (9) || Rajon Rondo (12) ||Philips Arena<br>20,016 | 2–2 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | April 30 | Atlanta | W 110–85 |Paul Pierce (22) || Paul Pierce (7) || Kevin Garnett (7) || TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 3–2 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | May 2 | @ Atlanta | L 100–103 | Kevin Garnett (22) || Kevin Garnett (7) || Kevin Garnett (6) ||Philips Arena<br>20,425 | 3–3 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | May 4 | Atlanta | W 99–65 | Paul Pierce (22) || Kevin Garnett (11) || Rajon Rondo (6) ||TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 4–3 |-

|- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 6 | Cleveland | W 76–72 | Kevin Garnett (28) || Perkins (12) || Rajon Rondo (6) || TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 8 | Cleveland | W 89–73 | Paul Pierce (19) || Kevin Garnett (12) || Rajon Rondo (6) || TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 2–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 10 | @ Cleveland | L 84–108 | Kevin Garnett (17) || Kevin Garnett (9) || Paul Pierce (5) || Quicken Loans Arena<br>20,562 | 2–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 12 | @ Cleveland | L 77–88 | three players tied (15) || Kevin Garnett (10) || Garnett, Rondo (4) || Quicken Loans Arena<br>20,562 | 2–2 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 14 | Cleveland | W 96–89 | Paul Pierce (29) || Kevin Garnett (16) || Rajon Rondo (13) || TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 3–2 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | May 16 | @ Cleveland | L 69–74 | Kevin Garnett (25) || Kevin Garnett (8) || Kevin Garnett (5) || Quicken Loans Arena<br>20,562 | 3–3 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | May 18 | Cleveland | W 97–92 | Paul Pierce (41) || Kevin Garnett (13) || Rajon Rondo (8) || TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 4–3 |-

|- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 20 | Detroit | W 88–79 | Kevin Garnett (26) | Kendrick Perkins (10) | Rajon Rondo (7) | TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 22 | Detroit | L 97–103 | Paul Pierce (26) | Kevin Garnett (13) | Rajon Rondo (8) | TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 1–1 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 24 | @ Detroit | W 94–80 | Kevin Garnett (22) | Kevin Garnett (13) | Ray Allen (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills<br>22,076 | 2–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 26 | @ Detroit | L 75–94 | Garnett, Pierce (16) | Kevin Garnett (10) | Rajon Rondo (4) | The Palace of Auburn Hills<br>22,076 | 2–2 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 28 | Detroit | W 106–102 | Kevin Garnett (33) | Kendrick Perkins (16) | Rajon Rondo (13) | TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 3–2 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | May 30 | @ Detroit | W 89–81 | Paul Pierce (27) | Paul Pierce (8) | Kevin Garnett (4) | The Palace of Auburn Hills<br>22,076 | 4–2 |-

|- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | June 5 | L.A. Lakers | W 98–88 | Kevin Garnett (24) | Kevin Garnett (13) | Rajon Rondo (7) | TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | June 8 | L.A. Lakers | W 108–102 | Paul Pierce (28) | Kevin Garnett (14) | Rajon Rondo (16) | TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 2–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | June 10 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 81–87 | Ray Allen (25) | Kevin Garnett (12) | Kevin Garnett (5) | Staples Center<br>18,997 | 2–1 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | June 12 | @ L.A. Lakers | W 97–91 | Paul Pierce (20) | Kevin Garnett (11) | Paul Pierce (7) | Staples Center<br>18,997 | 3–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | June 15 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 98–103 | Paul Pierce (38) | Kevin Garnett (14) | Paul Pierce (8) | Staples Center<br>18,997 | 3–2 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | June 17 | L.A. Lakers | W 131–92 | Garnett, Allen (26) | Kevin Garnett (14) | Paul Pierce (10) | TD Banknorth Garden<br>18,624 | 4–2 |-

Player statistics

Season

|- | | 73 || 73 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 35.9 || .445 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | .398 || .907 || 3.7 || 3.1 || 0.89 || 0.22 || 17.4 |- | | 75 || 11 || 18.3 || .434 || .316 || .762 || 2.2 || 1.5 || 0.83 || 0.28 || 6.6 |- | | 18 || 0 || 11.6 || .341 || .000 || .688 || 3.8 || 0.6 || 0.28 || 0.44 || 2.2 |- | | 17 || 1 || 17.6 || .385 || .409 || .840 || 1.8 || 2.1 || 0.50 || 0.20 || 7.6 |- | | 69 || 1 || 13.6 || .484 || .000 || .660 || 3.0 || 0.4 || 0.45 || 0.29 || 4.5 |- | | 71 || 71 || 32.8 || .539 || .000 || .801 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 9.2 || 3.4 || 1.41 || 1.25 || 18.8 |- | | 78 || 2 || 19.0 || .409 || .393 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | .917 || 2.1 || 1.9 || 0.76 || 0.13 || 7.5 |- | | 78 || 78 || 24.5 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | .615 || .000 || .623 || 6.1 || 1.1 || 0.40 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 1.46 || 6.9 |- | | style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 80 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 80 || 35.9 || .464 || .392 || .843 || 5.1 || 4.5 || 1.26 || 0.45 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 19.6 |- | | 22 || 0 || 7.9 || .522 || .000 || .682 || 1.7 || 0.1 || 0.14 || 0.27 || 1.8 |- | | 74 || 2 || 24.6 || .418 || .380 || .809 || 4.4 || 1.5 || 0.97 || 0.26 || 7.4 |- | | 56 || 5 || 14.4 || .572 || .000 || .710 || 4.1 || 0.3 || 0.27 || 0.29 || 7.9 |- | | 15 || 0 || 6.3 || .359 || .250 || .500 || 0.5 || 0.9 || 0.33 || 0.00 || 2.1 |- | | 77 || 77 || 29.9 || .492 || .263 || .611 || 4.2 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 5.1 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 1.68 || 0.17 || 10.6 |- | | 48 || 9 || 10.7 || .309 || .326 || .750 || 1.6 || 0.8 || 0.19 || 0.17 || 1.8

Playoffs

|- | | style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || 38.0 || .428 || .396 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | .913 || 3.8 || 2.7 || 0.92 || 0.31 || 15.6 |- | | 15 || 0 || 4.3 || .563 || .000 || .400 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 0.13 || 0.00 || 1.3 |- | | 25 || 0 || 13.6 || .464 || .000 || .840 || 2.4 || 0.5 || 0.20 || 0.40 || 2.9 |- | | 21 || 0 || 12.6 || .333 || .214 || .824 || 0.7 || 1.2 || 0.38 || 0.05 || 4.5 |- | | 17 || 0 || 8.1 || .412 || .000 || .611 || 1.5 || 0.4 || 0.29 || 0.24 || 2.3 |- | | style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || 38.0 || .495 || .250 || .810 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 10.5 || 3.3 || 1.35 || 1.12 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 20.4 |- | | 21 || 0 || 7.9 || .304 || .355 || .875 || 1.0 || 0.9 || 0.24 || 0.05 || 2.5 |- | | 25 || 25 || 25.2 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | .585 || .000 || .678 || 6.1 || 0.5 || 0.60 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 1.28 || 6.6 |- | | style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 38.1 || .441 || .361 || .802 || 5.0 || 4.6 || 1.08 || 0.31 || 19.7 |- | | 0 || 0 || 0.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.00 || 0.00 || 0.0 |- | | style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || 0 || 22.0 || .437 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | .398 || .875 || 3.6 || 1.1 || 1.00 || 0.31 || 6.7 |- | | 23 || 1 || 11.7 || .493 || .000 || .667 || 2.7 || 0.2 || 0.00 || 0.13 || 5.0 |- | | 0 || 0 || 0.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.00 || 0.00 || 0.0 |- | | style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 26 || 32.0 || .407 || .250 || .691 || 4.1 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 6.6 || style="background:#efe196;color:#008040;" | 1.73 || 0.31 || 10.2 |- | | 0 || 0 || 0.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.00 || 0.00 || 0.0

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.
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November.
  • Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 10 through December 16.
  • Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 24 through December 30.
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 17 through March 23.
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in March.
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from April 7 through April 13.
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in April.

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.
  • 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.
  • Kevin Garnett's streak of 410 consecutive games with double figures in points came to an end as he scored only 8&nbsp;points in Boston's 104–59 blowout victory 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&nbsp;games.
  • 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.
  • 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&nbsp;wins in a row.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • With a 27–3 start, the Celtics matched the best start through 30&nbsp;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.
  • 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&nbsp;games.
  • The Celtics matched their best start in the history of the franchise by reaching 30&nbsp;wins after only 34&nbsp;games.
  • 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.
  • 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&nbsp;games against Eastern Conference teams.
  • With 16&nbsp;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.
  • 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.
  • The Celtics swept the Texas Triangle, 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, the first team to do it since the 2001–02 Sacramento Kings. It was the 4th sweep in franchise history, and the first since the 1986–87 season.
  • 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, and the first team since the 1999–2000 Milwaukee Bucks.
  • The Celtics defeated every team in the league at least once for the first time since the 1990–91 season.
  • The Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround in franchise history by improving from 24&nbsp;wins in 2006–07 to 66&nbsp;wins in 2007–08, a total of 42&nbsp;games. The previous record of 32&nbsp;games was held by the 1979–80 Celtics, who improved from 29 to 61&nbsp;wins.
  • The Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround in NBA history by improving from 24&nbsp;wins in 2006–07 to 66&nbsp;wins in 2007–08, a total of 42&nbsp;games. The previous record of 36&nbsp;games was held by the 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs, who improved from 20 to 56&nbsp;wins.
  • The Celtics set a franchise record for fewest free throws attempted and made, with 5 and 4.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Playoffs

Finals

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions

See also

References

External links