2001–02 Boston Celtics season
The 2001–02 NBA season was the 56th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association.[1] This season saw the Celtics select future All-Star Joe Johnson with the tenth pick in the 2001 NBA draft, but later on traded him at midseason to the Phoenix Suns for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk. The Celtics struggled with a 5–6 start to the season, but then won 12 of their next 14 games. They won nine of their final ten games finishing second in the Atlantic Division with a 49–33 record, making their first playoff appearance since 1995. Paul Pierce averaged 26.1 points per game and was selected along with Antoine Walker for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, which marked his first All-Star appearance.
2001–02 Boston Celtics season | |
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Head coach | Jim O'Brien |
Arena | Fleet Center |
Results | |
Record | 49–33 (.598) |
Place | Division: 2nd (Atlantic) Conference: 3rd (Eastern) |
Playoff finish | East Conference Finals (Lost to Nets 2-4) |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | Fox Sports Net New England |
Radio | WWZN |
In the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in five games, advancing to the second round for the first time since 1992.[2] In the semifinals, they defeated the 2nd-seeded Detroit Pistons four games to one, reaching the Conference Finals also for the first time since 1988. However, they would lose in six games to the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals after taking a 2–1 series lead.[3]
Following the season, Kenny Anderson was traded along with Vitaly Potapenko to the Seattle SuperSonics, and Rogers signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets.
Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Joe Johnson | SG | Arkansas | |
1 | 11 | Kedrick Brown | SF/SG | Okaloosa-Walton | |
1 | 21 | Joseph Forte | SG | North Carolina |
Roster
Boston Celtics roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster Notes
- Forward Roshown McLeod missed the entire season with a left peroneal neuropathy injury.
- Guard Omar Cook also holds American citizenship, but he represents Montenegro in international play.
Regular season
Standings
Atlantic Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-New Jersey Nets | 52 | 30 | .634 | – | 33–8 | 19–22 | 16–8 |
x-Boston Celtics | 49 | 33 | .598 | 3 | 27–14 | 22–19 | 17–7 |
x-Orlando Magic | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 | 27–14 | 17–24 | 12–12 |
x-Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | 22–19 | 21–20 | 14–11 |
Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | .451 | 15 | 22–19 | 15–26 | 12–13 |
Miami Heat | 36 | 46 | .439 | 16 | 18–23 | 18–23 | 10–14 |
New York Knicks | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 | 19–22 | 11–30 | 4–20 |
# | Eastern Conference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | c-New Jersey Nets | 52 | 30 | .634 | – |
2 | y-Detroit Pistons | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 |
3 | x-Boston Celtics | 49 | 33 | .598 | 3 |
4 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 |
5 | x-Orlando Magic | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 |
6 | x-Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 |
7 | x-Toronto Raptors | 42 | 40 | .512 | 10 |
8 | x-Indiana Pacers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 10 |
9 | Milwaukee Bucks | 41 | 41 | .500 | 11 |
10 | Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | .451 | 15 |
11 | Miami Heat | 36 | 46 | .439 | 16 |
12 | Atlanta Hawks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 19 |
13 | New York Knicks | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 |
14 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 23 |
15 | Chicago Bulls | 21 | 61 | .256 | 31 |
Record vs. opponents
2001-02 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–3 |
Boston | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Charlotte | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Chicago | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
Cleveland | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–2 |
Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Denver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
Detroit | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Indiana | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
Memphis | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
Miami | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
Milwaukee | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Minnesota | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
New Jersey | 1–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
New York | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Orlando | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Philadelphia | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
Sacramento | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
San Antonio | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
Seattle | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Toronto | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–2 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 |
Washington | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | — |
Game log
2001-02 Game Log
Total: 49–33 (Home: 27–14; Road: 22–19) | |
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October (Home: 0-1; Road: 1-0)
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November (Home: 4-2; Road: 2-3)
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December (Home: 6-0; Road: 5-5)
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January (Home: 5-4; Road: 3-4)
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February (Home: 1-3; Road: 4-4)
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March (Home: 7-4; Road: 4-2)
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April (Home: 4-0; Road: 3-1)
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2001-02 Schedule |
Playoffs
East First Round
(3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Eastern Conference Finals (Boston won 4-1)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(BOS-PHI) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | April 21 | Philadelphia | 82 | Boston | 92 | 1-0 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 12:30et | Recap |
2 | April 25 | Philadelphia | 85 | Boston | 93 | 2-0 | FleetCenter, Boston | TNT 8:00et | Recap |
3 | April 28 | Boston | 103 | Philadelphia | 108 | 2-1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 12:30et | Recap |
4 | May 1 | Boston | 81 | Philadelphia | 83 | 2-2 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | TNT 8:00et | Recap |
5 | May 3 | Philadelphia | 87 | Boston | 120 | 3-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | TNT 7:00et | Recap |
Boston wins series 3–2 |
East Conference Semifinals
(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (3) Boston Celtics Last Playoff Meeting: 1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Detroit won 4-2)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(DET-BOS) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 5 | Boston | 86 | Detroit | 94 | 1-0 | The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills | NBC 3:00et | Recap |
2 | May 8 | Boston | 85 | Detroit | 77 | 1-1 | The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills | TNT 8:00et | Recap |
3 | May 10 | Detroit | 64 | Boston | 66 | 1-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | TNT 7:00et | Recap |
4 | May 12 | Detroit | 79 | Boston | 90 | 1-3 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 3:00et | Recap |
5 | May 14 | Boston | 90 | Detroit | 81 | 1-4 | The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills | TBS 8:00et | Recap |
Boston wins series 4–1 |
Conference Finals
(1) New Jersey Nets vs. (3) Boston Celtics Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Nets and Celtics.
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(NJN-BOS) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 19 | Boston | 97 | New Jersey | 104 | 1-0 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | NBC 5:30et | Recap |
2 | May 21 | Boston | 93 | New Jersey | 86 | 1-1 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | TNT 8:00et | Recap |
3 | May 25 | New Jersey | 90 | Boston | 94 | 1-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 5:30et | Recap |
4 | May 27 | New Jersey | 94 | Boston | 92 | 2-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 5:30et | Recap |
5 | May 29 | Boston | 92 | New Jersey | 103 | 3-2 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | NBC 9:00et | Recap |
6 | May 31 | New Jersey | 96 | Boston | 88 | 4-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 7:00et | Recap |
New Jersey wins Eastern Conference Championship series 4–2 |
Player statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
See also
- Reebok Pro Summer League, a summer league hosted by the Celtics
References
- 2001-02 Boston Celtics
- "PRO BASKETBALL; Sparked by Pierce's 46, Celtics Return to Glory". New York Times. May 4, 2002. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- "Sports of The Times; Nets Prove They Are Better Team". New York Times. June 1, 2002. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2002.html