Welcome to the Celtics season tipoff countdown!
Each day, we’ll give a review of news surrounding the Celtics from the previous day. We’ll also look back in history to see what happened on today’s date in team history (August 2nd). 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 (74 today). Let’s get to it!
Recent Team News
Today, Gary Washburn reported that it’s likely that the opening night matchup for the Celtics will be the Philadelphia 76ers. The teams will renew last season’s rivalry on the very first night of the season. The Sixers will look to redeem themselves from a 5-game series loss in the Conference Semifinals last May.
Hearing there's a good chance TNT season-opening slate will be #Sixers–#Celtics and #Thunder–#Warriors on Oct. 16
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 1, 2018
The Celtics also officially waived Rodney Purvis. Purvis was acquired from the Thunder in a trade for Abdel Nader a few weeks ago. The move brings the number of players on the roster down to the 15 man limit. It also clears money off the books, seeing as his contract was fully non-guaranteed.
On This Date
August 2, 2005: The Celtics participate in a massive five team, 13 player trade. They send Antoine Walker to the Miami Heat. The team acquired Utah center Curtis Borchardt, Memphis guard Raul Lopez, and the draft rights to Albert Miralles. The trade marks the end of the Walker era in Boston. In his eight seasons here, he averaged 20.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Stats
- Al Horford averaged 7.4 rebounds this past season.
Fun Facts
- In 1974, the Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks in 7 games to win the NBA title. Coached by Tommy Heinsohn, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens and Co. defeated Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s squad to capture their 12th title.
That’s it for today. Be sure to check back tomorrow to continue the countdown to the first Celtics game of the 2018-19 season!