Game 1 of NBA Finals has produced many memorable Celtics moments

Game 1 of NBA Finals has produced many memorable Celtics moments originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on Thursday night. It will be the 23rd Finals appearance for the Celtics and the 18th in which they’ve had homecourt advantage.

The C’s are 15-2 in NBA Finals series when they’ve had homecourt advantage. Boston is 15-7 all time in Game 1 of the Finals, including a 13-4 record at home.

The Celtics have won five of their last six Game 1s of the Finals at home, and four of those five victories were by 10-plus points.

These series-opening games have produced many memorable moments and performances.

Let’s take a look at the best ones.

1960 NBA Finals

The Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks 140-122 with a total team effort. Four Celtics players — Tom Heinsohn (24), Bill Sharman (23), Frank Ramsey (21) and Bob Cousy (20) — scored 20 or more points. Boston’s 140 points is the fifth-most in a Finals game.

Boston won the series in seven games to claim back-to-back titles for the first time.

1963 NBA Finals

The Celtics earned a 117-114 win to begin the series thanks to Bill Russell, who scored 25 points and grabbed 29 rebounds in 47 minutes. Sam Jones led the Celtics with 29 points, while also tallying 15 rebounds and seven assists. Boston won the first two matchups against the Lakers at home and ultimately won the series in six games.

1969 NBA Finals

Celtics star John Havlicek scored 37 points with 12 rebounds in Game 1 of the 1969 Finals in Los Angeles, but the rival Lakers emerged with a 120-118 win thanks to Jerry West. The Hall of Fame guard scored 53 points — the most ever in Game 1 of the Finals and the fourth-highest in any Finals game.

1976 NBA Finals

The Celtics beat the Suns 98-87 on the strength of Hall of Fame center Dave Cowens, who posted a triple-double with 25 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. He also played all 48 minutes. Jo Jo White, who ended up winning Finals MVP, scored 22 points in the Game 1 victory. Boston won the series in six games, including a triple-overtime win in Game 5 at the old Garden.

1981 NBA…

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Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-05 20:57:01

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