1981–82 Boston Celtics season

The 1981–82 Boston Celtics season was the 36th season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Celtics entered the season as the defending NBA champions. They finished the season with the best record in the NBA.

Boston was notably defeated in a seven-game series with their bitter rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers; in the final game, with the contest well decided, fans chanted "Beat L.A.," helping kick off one of American sports' most famous fan chants.

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * October 30
 * Washington
 * W 124–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * October 31
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–119
 * MECCA Arena
 * 1–1
 * L 103–119
 * MECCA Arena
 * 1–1
 * MECCA Arena
 * 1–1
 * 1–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * November 4
 * Chicago
 * W 115–93
 * Boston Garden
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * November 6
 * Indiana
 * W 111–94
 * Boston Garden
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * November 7
 * @ Detroit
 * W 129–88
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 4–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * November 10
 * @ Washington
 * W 90–84
 * Capital Centre
 * 5–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * November 11
 * Kansas City
 * W 115–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 6–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * November 13
 * New Jersey
 * W 111–97
 * Hartford Civic Center
 * 7–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * November 14
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 92–91
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 8–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * November 17
 * @ Chicago
 * W 98–95
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 9–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 18
 * Houston
 * L 104–106
 * Boston Garden
 * 9–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 20
 * Milwaukee
 * W 112–89
 * Boston Garden
 * 10–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * November 25
 * Golden State
 * W 122–101
 * Boston Garden
 * 11–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * November 27
 * Washington
 * W 113–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 12–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * November 28
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 98–90
 * The Omni
 * 13–2
 * 12
 * November 20
 * Milwaukee
 * W 112–89
 * Boston Garden
 * 10–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * November 25
 * Golden State
 * W 122–101
 * Boston Garden
 * 11–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * November 27
 * Washington
 * W 113–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 12–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * November 28
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 98–90
 * The Omni
 * 13–2
 * Boston Garden
 * 12–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * November 28
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 98–90
 * The Omni
 * 13–2
 * The Omni
 * 13–2
 * 13–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * December 1
 * @ Indiana
 * L 87–90
 * Market Square Arena
 * 13–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * December 2
 * Detroit
 * W 115–114
 * Boston Garden
 * 14–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * December 4
 * Philadelphia
 * W 111–103
 * Boston Garden
 * 15–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 5
 * @ New York
 * L 83–103
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 15–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * December 9
 * New Jersey
 * W 109–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 16–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * December 11
 * Atlanta
 * W 94–86
 * Hartford Civic Center
 * 17–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22
 * December 12
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 97–108
 * The Omni
 * 17–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * December 16
 * Dallas
 * W 109–92
 * Boston Garden
 * 18–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 24
 * December 18
 * @ Washington
 * W 99–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 19–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 19
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 118–123 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 19–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 22
 * Cleveland
 * W 120–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 20–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 26
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 124–119 (OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 29
 * @ Denver
 * L 123–128
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * December 30
 * @ Utah
 * W 121–110
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 22–7
 * The Spectrum
 * 19–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 22
 * Cleveland
 * W 120–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 20–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 26
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 124–119 (OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 29
 * @ Denver
 * L 123–128
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * December 30
 * @ Utah
 * W 121–110
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 22–7
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 21–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * December 30
 * @ Utah
 * W 121–110
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 22–7
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 22–7
 * 22–7


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * January 2
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 106–103
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 22–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * January 6
 * Chicago
 * L 102–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 23–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * January 8
 * Philadelphia
 * W 96–90
 * Boston Garden
 * 24–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 33
 * January 10
 * Detroit
 * W 134–124
 * Hartford Civic Center
 * 25–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 11
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 112–94
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 26–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 13
 * Atlanta
 * W 116–95
 * Boston Garden
 * 27–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 15
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 118–122
 * MECCA Arena
 * 27–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 16
 * @ Detroit
 * W 128–120
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 28–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 19
 * @ New York
 * W 111–107
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 29–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 20
 * Indiana
 * W 112–103
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 22
 * Seattle
 * L 106–118
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 24
 * Portland
 * L 119–123
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 27
 * New York
 * W 131–99
 * Boston Garden
 * 31–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 28
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 116–104
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 32–11
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 22
 * Seattle
 * L 106–118
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 24
 * Portland
 * L 119–123
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 27
 * New York
 * W 131–99
 * Boston Garden
 * 31–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 28
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 116–104
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 32–11
 * Boston Garden
 * 31–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 28
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 116–104
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 32–11
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 32–11
 * 32–11


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * February 2
 * @ Indiana
 * W 109–105
 * Market Square Arena
 * 33–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * February 5
 * Denver
 * W 145–144
 * Boston Garden
 * 34–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 7
 * Los Angeles
 * L 113–119
 * Boston Garden
 * 34–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 10
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 110–112
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 34–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 12
 * @ San Diego
 * W 129–116
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 35–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49
 * February 14
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 108–103
 * The Forum
 * 36–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 17
 * @ Golden State
 * L 105–121
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 36–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * February 19
 * @ Portland
 * W 127–117
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 37–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 21
 * @ Seattle
 * L 100–103
 * Kingdome
 * 37–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53
 * February 24
 * Utah
 * W 132–90
 * Boston Garden
 * 38–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 26
 * San Diego
 * W 122–110
 * Boston Garden
 * 39–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 28
 * Milwaukee
 * W 106–102
 * Boston Garden
 * 40–15
 * L 100–103
 * Kingdome
 * 37–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53
 * February 24
 * Utah
 * W 132–90
 * Boston Garden
 * 38–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 26
 * San Diego
 * W 122–110
 * Boston Garden
 * 39–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 28
 * Milwaukee
 * W 106–102
 * Boston Garden
 * 40–15
 * Boston Garden
 * 39–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 28
 * Milwaukee
 * W 106–102
 * Boston Garden
 * 40–15
 * Boston Garden
 * 40–15
 * 40–15


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * March 2
 * @ Dallas
 * W 101–97
 * Reunion Arena
 * 41–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * March 5
 * @ Houston
 * W 100–98
 * The Summit
 * 43–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * March 7
 * New York
 * W 107–106
 * Boston Garden
 * 44–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * March 8
 * @ Detroit
 * W 111–101
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 45–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 10
 * Indiana
 * W 121–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 46–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * March 12
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 113–109
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 47–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * March 14
 * Phoenix
 * W 105–92
 * Boston Garden
 * 48–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * March 16
 * @ Washington
 * W 98–97 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 49–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * March 17
 * Atlanta
 * W 113–109
 * Boston Garden
 * 50–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * March 21
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 123–111
 * The Spectrum
 * 52–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 23
 * @ Chicago
 * W 110–103
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 53–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 24
 * Cleveland
 * W 136–115
 * Boston Garden
 * 54–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 26
 * Detroit
 * W 125–104
 * Boston Garden
 * 55–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71
 * March 28
 * Philadelphia
 * L 98–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 55–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 31
 * Washington
 * W 119–109
 * Boston Garden
 * 56–16
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 53–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 24
 * Cleveland
 * W 136–115
 * Boston Garden
 * 54–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 26
 * Detroit
 * W 125–104
 * Boston Garden
 * 55–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71
 * March 28
 * Philadelphia
 * L 98–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 55–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 31
 * Washington
 * W 119–109
 * Boston Garden
 * 56–16
 * Boston Garden
 * 55–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 31
 * Washington
 * W 119–109
 * Boston Garden
 * 56–16
 * W 119–109
 * Boston Garden
 * 56–16
 * Boston Garden
 * 56–16
 * 56–16


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * April 2
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 110–107
 * The Omni
 * 57–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * April 4
 * Chicago
 * W 114–112
 * Boston Garden
 * 58–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 6
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 116–122
 * MECCA Arena
 * 58–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 8
 * @ New York
 * W 110–106
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 59–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 9
 * New Jersey
 * W 106–103
 * Boston Garden
 * 60–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 11
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 110–109 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 61–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 79
 * April 13
 * @ Chicago
 * L 115–120
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 61–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * April 14
 * Milwaukee
 * W 100–91
 * Boston Garden
 * 62–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 16
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 96–113
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 62–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 18
 * New York
 * W 119–99
 * Boston Garden
 * 63–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * April 14
 * Milwaukee
 * W 100–91
 * Boston Garden
 * 62–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 16
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 96–113
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 62–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 18
 * New York
 * W 119–99
 * Boston Garden
 * 63–19
 * 82
 * April 18
 * New York
 * W 119–99
 * Boston Garden
 * 63–19
 * Boston Garden
 * 63–19
 * 63–19

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 25
 * Washington
 * W 109–91
 * M. L. Carr (21)
 * Larry Bird (12)
 * Tiny Archibald (7)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 28
 * Washington
 * L 102–103
 * Larry Bird (26)
 * Bird, Parish (10)
 * Tiny Archibald (6)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 1
 * @ Washington
 * W 92–83
 * Robert Parish (25)
 * Parish, Archibald (13)
 * Tiny Archibald (5)
 * Capital Centre 15,035
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 2
 * @ Washington
 * W 103–99 (OT)
 * Robert Parish (28)
 * Robert Parish (15)
 * Tiny Archibald (4)
 * Capital Centre 16,295
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * May 5
 * Washington
 * W 131–126 (2OT)
 * Robert Parish (33)
 * Robert Parish (13)
 * Tiny Archibald (11)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 4–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * May 9
 * Philadelphia
 * W 121–81
 * Bird, Parish (24)
 * Larry Bird (15)
 * Larry Bird (10)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 12
 * Philadelphia
 * L 113–121
 * Tiny Archibald (24)
 * Larry Bird (14)
 * Tiny Archibald (13)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 15
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 97–99
 * Cedric Maxwell (18)
 * Larry Bird (13)
 * Larry Bird (11)
 * Spectrum 18,364
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 16
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 94–119
 * Robert Parish (18)
 * Larry Bird (9)
 * Gerald Henderson (7)
 * Spectrum 18,364
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * May 19
 * Philadelphia
 * W 114–85
 * Robert Parish (26)
 * Larry Bird (20)
 * Larry Bird (8)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * May 21
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 88–75
 * Kevin McHale (17)
 * Larry Bird (17)
 * Danny Ainge (7)
 * Spectrum 18,364
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * May 23
 * Philadelphia
 * L 106–120
 * Robert Parish (23)
 * Robert Parish (14)
 * Larry Bird (9)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 3–4

Awards and honors

 * Larry Bird, All-NBA First Team