Welcome back to the Celtics season tipoff countdown!
Each day, we’ll give a review of news surrounding the Celtics. We’ll also look back in history to see what happened on today’s date in team history (August 8th). To round out the day’s post, we’ll give you stats and fun facts related to the number of days remaining before the first game (68 today). Let’s get to it!
Recent Team News
As more schedule information begins to trickle out, Boston’s Christmas day matchup has been revealed. The team will be facing the 76ers on December 25th. This is the second marquee matchup that will occur between the teams this year: the other will take place on opening night of the season. I personally would have preferred to see a classic Celtics-Lakers matchup on the holiday. However, the opening night matchup will set this game up as a revenge game for one of the teams.
A vintage dose of Celtics/Sixers, Giannis and the Bucks at MSG against the Knicks and (you guessed it) LeBron's Lakers in Oakland to face the Warriors are the highlights of the NBA's Christmas Day schedule that will be announced Wednesday afternoon, league sources tell @NYTSports
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 8, 2018
Some late news: Marcus Morris and his brother, Markieff, both signed with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. The decision to sign the agent, who also represents Lebron James, is ahead of the brothers’ impending free agencies.
On This Date
August 8, 1992: The “Dream Team” captured the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. Larry Bird, though at the tail end of his career, helped the team to a dominating victory.
Stats (2017-18)
- Guerschon Yabusele averaged 68% from the free throw line.
- Kyrie Irving averaged 6.8 attempts from beyond the arc per game, converting 40.8% of them.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Fun Facts
- Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward were the two players on last year’s roster who were listed at 6’8″.
- The 1968 Celtics defeated the Lakers to win the NBA Finals. In doing so, they captured their 10th championship in 12 seasons. Player-coach Bill Russell led his team that included John Havlicek and Don Nelson to the six-game win over Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Co.
That concludes today’s Countdown to Celtics Tipoff. Make sure to be back here tomorrow as the clock continues to tick towards the 2018-19 season!