2007–08 Boston Celtics season

The 2007–08 Boston Celtics season was the 62nd season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This marked the season powered by the acquisitions of perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the offseason, the Celtics finished with a record of 66–16 and posted the best single-season turnaround in NBA history. They finished first in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference, and achieved the league's best record. The 66 wins were also the third-most in franchise history, behind the 1972–73 Celtics’ 68 wins and the famous 1985–86 Celtics’ 67 wins including 40 at home. Kevin Garnett was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, while Danny Ainge, who executed "the most dramatic NBA turnaround ever", was named NBA Executive of the Year.[1] The Celtics also sold out all 41 regular-season home games.

2007–08 Boston Celtics season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachDoc Rivers
General managerDanny Ainge
OwnersH. Irving Grousbeck
Wycliffe Grousbeck
Stephen Pagliuca
The Abbey Group
ArenaTD Banknorth Garden
Results
Record66–16 (.805)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Lakers 4–2)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionCSN New England
RadioWEEI

Their two-year absence from the playoffs came to an end as they met the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Eventually, they advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987, where they met the Los Angeles Lakers, reigniting their storied rivalry. The Celtics won 4–2, capturing their first championship since 1986, and seventeenth in franchise history, the most in NBA history. However, they had a far more difficult path to this championship, playing 26 games, the most any team had ever played in a post-season.

Key dates

Summary

NBA draft 2007: The Ray Allen trade
Main article: 2007 NBA draft
Shortly after being traded to the Celtics, Ray Allen threw out the first pitch for a baseball game at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.

On May 22, the Celtics were assigned the 5th overall selection in the NBA Draft Lottery, essentially losing their chance of drafting either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, who both were considered to go 1st and 2nd in the draft. The 5th pick was the worst-case scenario for the Celtics, who had a 19.9% chance of obtaining the 1st overall selection. However, on June 28, the day of the 2007 NBA draft, the Celtics traded the 5th pick along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for All-Star 3-point specialist Ray Allen and the 35th overall selection prior to the event, and with the 5th pick selected forward Jeff Green for Seattle.[9] In the second round of the draft, the Celtics selected guard Gabe Pruitt with the 32nd pick, which was their own, and forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis with the 35th pick, previously obtained from Seattle.[10]

Kevin Garnett trade
The Celtics achieved the league's top record via the acquisition of Kevin Garnett, who carried the team throughout the season and was amongst the leaders for the Most Valuable Player award.[11]

On July 31, the Celtics traded for 10-time All-Star and 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett in the single largest trade for one player in NBA history.[12] He was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top three protected), the return of Minnesota's conditional first-round draft pick previously obtained in the 2006 Ricky Davis–Wally Szczerbiak trade and cash considerations.[13] By adding Garnett to All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, the trade brought a new era of relevance to the long-struggling franchise, but it also left the roster short-handed.[14][15]

Free agency

The Garnett trade left the roster depleted and depth became an immediate concern. Eventually, the Celtics signed guards Eddie House and Jackie Manuel on August 1,[16][17] just two days after the Garnett trade, and center Scot Pollard on August 9.[18] Later, Ainge called and asked 5-time All-Star Reggie Miller to return from his 2-year retirement and join the roster in a reserve role.[19] Miller strongly considered the possibility of playing alongside Garnett, but ultimately announced on August 23 that he would not join the Celtics.[20] On August 27, forward James Posey signed with the team and was considered a decisive signing which instantly gave the Celtics a drastic improvement to their bench.[21]

On September 26, center Esteban Batista and guard Dahntay Jones signed non-guaranteed contracts with the Celtics, two days before the beginning of training camp and the team's departure to Rome for the 2007 NBA Europe Live Tour.[22] Curiously, Jones was involved in a trade back in the 2003 NBA draft, in which the Celtics drafted him with the 20th overall selection, but immediately traded him with the 16th pick, Troy Bell, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the 13th pick, Marcus Banks, and the 27th pick, Kendrick Perkins. Ultimately, the Celtics waived Batista on October 16, and Manuel and Jones on October 25, bringing the roster down to 14 players, one shy of the league maximum of 15 players, in order to have roster flexibility and be able to sign another player midway through the season.[23]

Later in the season, on December 18, the Celtics released yet another player, Brandon Wallace, in order to have even more roster flexibility that coach Doc Rivers said they needed. This move brought the roster down to only 13 players, which is the league minimum for players allowed on a team's roster.[24] On February 27, the Celtics signed center P.J. Brown for the remainder of the season, in order to bolster their front court.[25][26] His decision to come to Boston was strongly aided by a conversation with future teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who convinced him to sign with the Celtics during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.[27] On March 4, 2008, the Celtics officially announced that they had signed guard Sam Cassell.[28] After the signing, Cassell immediately flew back to his hometown of Baltimore to attend funeral services for a deceased family member.[29][30] This signing ultimately put the roster up to the league maximum of 15 players.

Draft picks
Main article: 2007 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 5 Jeff Green (traded to Seattle) SF  United States Georgetown
2 31 Gabe Pruitt PG  United States Southern California

Roster
Roster listing
Boston Celtics roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
SG 20 Allen, Ray 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1975-07-20 Connecticut
SG 42 Allen, Tony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1982-01-11 Oklahoma State
F/C 93 Brown, P.J. 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 239 lb (108 kg) 1969-10-14 Louisiana Tech
PG 28 Cassell, Sam 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969-11-18 Florida State
F/C 11 Davis, Glen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 289 lb (131 kg) 1986-01-01 LSU
F/C 5 Garnett, Kevin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1976-05-19 Farragut
PG 50 House, Eddie 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1978-05-14 Arizona State
C 43 Perkins, Kendrick 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 264 lb (120 kg) 1984-11-10 CJOHS
G/F 34 Pierce, Paul (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977-10-13 Kansas
C 66 Pollard, Scot  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 278 lb (126 kg) 1975-02-12 Kansas
F 41 Posey, James 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1977-01-13 Xavier
F/C 0 Powe, Leon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1984-01-22 California
G 13 Pruitt, Gabe 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1986-04-19 Southern California
PG 9 Rondo, Rajon 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1986-02-22 Kentucky
PF 44 Scalabrine, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1978-03-18 Southern California
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 2008-03-04

Regular season

Standings
Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics 6616.805–35–631–1014–2
x-Toronto Raptors 4141.5002525–1616–2510–6
x-Philadelphia 76ers 4042.4882622–1918–237–9
New Jersey Nets 3448.4153221–2013–284–12
New York Knicks 2359.2804315–268–335–11
Eastern Conference
# Team W L PCT GB
1 w-Boston Celtics6616.805–
2 y-Detroit Pistons5923.7326
3 y-Orlando Magic5230.63414
4 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4537.54921
5 x-Washington Wizards4339.52423
6 x-Toronto Raptors4141.50025
7 x-Philadelphia 76ers4042.48826
8 x-Atlanta Hawks3745.45129
9 Indiana Pacers3646.43930
10 New Jersey Nets3448.41532
11 Chicago Bulls3349.40233
12 Charlotte Bobcats3250.39034
13 Milwaukee Bucks2656.31740
14 New York Knicks2359.28043
15 Miami Heat1567.18351

Record vs. opponents
2007-08 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta —0–32–22–21–21–11–10–41–10–21–21–11–12–03–12–22–01–30–24–02–23–11–10–21–10–21–11–21–12–2
Boston 3–0—3–14–02–22–01–12–11–12–03–02–02–02–04–04–02–04–01–14–01–23–11–12–02–02–02–03–11–10–3
Charlotte 2–21–3—1–31–30–21–10–31–10–23–12–01–11–13–11–22–01–30–21–21–31–20–22–00–20–22–02–21–11–3
Chicago 2–20–43–1—3–10–21–13–11–10–22–21–10–21–12–13–11–11–20–22–20–41–30–20–21–10–22–01–21–11–2
Cleveland 2–12–23–11–3—1–10–21–31–10–24–02–02–02–03–01–32–01–30–22–11–32–10–22–02–01–11–13–11–12–2
Dallas 1–10–22–02–01–1—1–21–13–13–11–14–01–34–02–01–13–01–12–22–02–01–12–12–22–11–33–11–12–20–2
Denver 1–11–11–11–12–02–1—0–23–12–21–13–10–34–02–01–14–02–01–21–11–11–12–22–22–12–23–12–01–32–0
Detroit 4–01–23–01–33–11–12–0–2–01–14–02–01–12–04–03–12–03–02–02–22–22–22–01–10–22–02–03–10–22–1
Golden State 1–11–11–11–11–11–31–30–2—2–21–13–12–24–02–02–03–11–11–21–11–12–02–22–23–12–12–12–00–32–0
Houston 2–00–22–02–02–01–32–21–12–2—2–03–02–13–11–12–03–02–02–22–01–10–22–24–02–22–24–01–11–22–0
Indiana 2–10–31–32–20–41–11–10–41–10–2—1–10–21–13–13–11–12–21–14–01–23–00–22–01–10–21–11–31–12–2
L.A. Clippers 1–10–20–21–10–20–41–30–21–30–31–1–0–43–11–11–11–32–00–42–00–20–21–30–33–10–32–11–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–10–21–12–00–23–13–01–12–21–22–04–0—2–12–01–13–01–12–22–01–12–03–12–23–12–24–02–03–12–0
Memphis 0–20–21–11–10–20–40–40–20–41–31–11–31–2—2–00–22–22–00–42–01–10–20–30–32–21–33–10–20–31–1
Miami 1–30–41–31–20–30–20–20–40–21–11–31–10–20–2—2–21–11–20–21–30–40–31–10–21–10–21–10–41–10–4
Milwaukee 2–20–42–11–33–11–11–11–30–20–21–31–11–12–02–2—1–10–40–21–31–31–20–20–20–20–21–11–20–22–2
Minnesota 0–20–20–21–10–20–30–40–21–30–31–13–10–32–21–11–1—1–11–31–11–11–12–20–42–10–41–30–22–20–2
New Jersey 3–10–43–12–13–11–10–20–31–10–22–20–21–10–22–14–01–1—0–21–31–32–20–21–10–20–22–01–31–12–1
New Orleans 2–01–12–02–02–02–22–10–22–12–21–14–02–24–02–02–03–12–0—2–01–12–04–02–21–22–23–01–11–30–2
New York 0–40–42–12–21–20–21–12–21–10–20–40–20–20–23–13–11–13–10–2—1–31–30–20–20–20–20–21–31–12–1
Orlando 2–22–13–14–03–10–21–12–21–11–12–12–01–11–14–03–11–13–11–13–1—3–10–22–01–10–22–02–10–23–1
Philadelphia 1–31–32–13–11–21–11–12–20–22–00–32–00–22–03–02–11–12–20–23–11–3—1–11–11–11–12–01–30–22–2
Phoenix 1–11–12–02–02–01–22–20–22–22–22–03–11–33–01–12–02–22–00–42–02–01–1—3–04–03–14–02–01–22–0
Portland 2–00–20–22–00–22–22–21–12–20–40–23–02–23–02–02–04–01–12–22–00–21–10–3—1–30–32–21–13–11–1
Sacramento 1–10–22–01–10–21–21–22–01–32–21–11–31–32–21–12–01–22–02–12–01–11–10–43–1—1–33–11–12–20–2
San Antonio 2–00–22–02–01–13–12–20–21–22–22–03–02–23–12–02–04–02–02–22–02–01–11–33–03–1—2–11–12–22–0
Seattle 1–10–20–20–21–11–31–30–21–20–41–11–20–41–31–11–13–10–20–32–00–20–20–42–21–31–2—1–10–40–2
Toronto 2–11–32–22–11–31–10–21–30–21–13–11–10–22–04–02–12–03–11–13–11–23–10–21–11–11–11–1—0–21–3
Utah 1–11–11–11–11–12–23–12–03–02–11–13–11–33–01–12–02–21–13–11–12–02–02–11–32–22–24–02–0—2–0
Washington 2–23–03–12–12–22–00–21–20–20–22–22–00–21–14–02–22–01–22–01–21–32–20–21–12–00–22–03–10–2—

Game log
2007–08 game log
Total: 66–16 (Home: 35–6; Road: 31–10)
November: 13–2 (Home: 8–0; Road: 5–2)
December: 13–1 (Home: 6–1; Road: 7–0)
January: 10–5 (Home: 6–3; Road: 4–2)
February: 9–4 (Home: 5–0; Road: 4–4)
March: 13–3 (Home: 7–2; Road: 6–1)
April: 8–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 5–1)
2007–08 season schedule

Playoffs

Although the Celtics had the best record in the NBA with 66–16 in the regular season, their path to their first championship since 1986 was far from easy. They ended up playing the most games a team had ever played in a postseason, with 26, surpassing the 1994 New York Knicks, whom Celtics coach Doc Rivers played for, and the 2005 Detroit Pistons, each of whom played 25, but lost their respective finals in seven games . This record was set in Game 6 of the Finals, where they won the championship.[31]

Finals
Main article: 2008 NBA Finals

Game 1
ABC, TSN, Cuatro, Canal+, Canal 7
June 5
9:00 pm
Los Angeles Lakers 88, Boston Celtics 98
Scoring by quarter: 21–23, 30–23, 22–31, 15–21
Pts: Bryant 24
Rebs: Gasol 8
Asts: Bryant, Fisher 6
TOs: Bryant 4		 Pts: Garnett 24, Pierce 22
Rebs: Garnett 13
Asts: Rondo 7
Stls: Posey 2
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston
Attendance: 18,624
Referees:

Game 2
ABC, TSN, Cuatro, Canal+, Canal 7
June 8
9:00 pm
Los Angeles Lakers 102, Boston Celtics 108
Scoring by quarter: 22–20, 20–34, 19–29, 41–25
Pts: Bryant 30
Rebs: Radmanović, Gasol 10
Asts: Bryant 8
TOs: Bryant 4		 Pts: Pierce 28, Powe 21
Rebs: Garnett 14
Asts: Rondo 16
3P-FG: Pierce 4/4
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston
Attendance: 18,624
Referees:
  • No. 43 D. Crawford
  • No. 26 Delaney
  • No. 41 Mauer

Game 3
ABC, TSN, Cuatro, Canal+, Canal 7
June 10
9:00 pm
Boston Celtics 81, Los Angeles Lakers 87
Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 17–23, 25–17, 19–27
Pts: Allen 25
Rebs: Garnett 12
Asts: Garnett 5
FG: Pierce 2/14		 Pts: Bryant 36, Vujačić 20
Rebs: Gasol 12
Asts: Farmar 5
3P-FG: Vujačić 3/5
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Attendance: 18,997
Referees:
  • No. 17 J. Crawford
  • No. 15 Salvatore
  • No. 18 Wunderlich

Game 4
ABC, TSN, Cuatro, Canal+, Canal 7
June 12
9:00 pm
Boston Celtics 97, Los Angeles Lakers 91
Scoring by quarter: 14–35, 26–23, 31–15, 26–18
Pts: Pierce 20, Allen 19
Rebs: Garnett 11
Asts: Pierce 7
Stls: Allen 3		 Pts: Odom 19
Rebs: Gasol, Odom 10
Asts: Bryant 10
FG: Bryant 6/19
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Attendance: 18,997
Referees:
  • No. 14 DeRosa
  • No. 29 Javie
  • No. 49 Washington

Game 5
ABC, TSN, Cuatro, Canal+, Canal 7
June 15
9:00 pm
Boston Celtics 98, Los Angeles Lakers 103
Scoring by quarter: 22–39, 30–16, 18–24, 28–24
Pts: Pierce 38
Rebs: Garnett 14
Asts: Pierce 8
TOs: Pierce 5		 Pts: Bryant 25
Rebs: Gasol 13
Asts: Gasol 6
Blocks: Odom 4
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Attendance: 18,997
Referees:

Game 6
ABC, TSN, Cuatro, Canal+, Canal 7
June 17
9:00 pm
Los Angeles Lakers 92, Boston Celtics 131
Scoring by quarter: 20–24, 15–34, 25–31, 32–42
Pts: Bryant 22
Rebs: Odom 10
Asts: Odom 5
FG: Bryant 7/22		 Pts: Allen, Garnett 26
Rebs: Garnett 14
Asts: Pierce 10
Stls: Rondo 6
Boston wins series, 4–2
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston
Referees:
  • The opening tipoff of Game 2
  • Leon Powe (center) had a memorable performance in Game 2
  • Boston Celtics fans, players, coaching personnel, and staff celebrate the franchise's 17th title

Player statistics
Legend
  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

Season
NBA roster statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Ray Allen 737335.9.445.398.9073.73.10.890.2217.4
Tony Allen 751118.3.434.316.7622.21.50.830.286.6
P. J. Brown 18011.6.341.000.6883.80.60.280.442.2
Sam Cassell* 553423.1.438.303.8822.53.90.670.1111.2
Glen Davis 69113.6.484.000.6603.00.40.450.294.5
Kevin Garnett 717132.8.539.000.8019.23.41.411.2518.8
Eddie House 78219.0.409.393.9172.11.90.760.137.5
Kendrick Perkins 787824.5.615.000.6236.11.10.401.466.9
Paul Pierce 808035.9.464.392.8435.14.51.260.4519.6
Scot Pollard 2207.9.522.000.6821.70.10.140.271.8
James Posey 74224.6.418.380.8094.41.50.970.267.4
Leon Powe 56514.4.572.000.7104.10.30.270.297.9
Gabe Pruitt 1506.3.359.250.5000.50.90.330.002.1
Rajon Rondo 777729.9.492.263.6114.25.11.680.1710.6
Brian Scalabrine 48910.7.309.326.7501.60.80.190.171.8

*Totals for season (incl. games with Los Angeles Clippers).

Playoffs
NBA roster statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Ray Allen 262638.0.428.396.9133.82.70.920.3115.6
Tony Allen 1504.3.563.000.4000.20.20.130.001.3
P. J. Brown 25013.6.464.000.8402.40.50.200.402.9
Sam Cassell 21012.6.333.214.8240.71.20.380.054.5
Glen Davis 1708.1.412.000.6111.50.40.290.242.3
Kevin Garnett 262638.0.495.250.81010.53.31.351.1220.4
Eddie House 2107.9.304.355.8751.00.90.240.052.5
Kendrick Perkins 252525.2.585.000.6786.10.50.601.286.6
Paul Pierce 262638.1.441.361.8025.04.61.080.3119.7
Scot Pollard 000.0.000.000.0000.00.00.000.000.0
James Posey 26022.0.437.398.8753.61.11.000.316.7
Leon Powe 23111.7.493.000.6672.70.20.000.135.0
Gabe Pruitt 000.0.000.000.0000.00.00.000.000.0
Rajon Rondo 262632.0.407.250.6914.16.61.730.3110.2
Brian Scalabrine 000.0.000.000.0000.00.00.000.000.0

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from November 5 through November 11.[32]
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November.[33]
  • Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 10 through December 16.[34]
  • Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 24 through December 30.[35]
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 17 through March 23.[36][37]
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in March.[38]
  • Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from April 7 through April 13.[39]
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in April.[40]

All-Star

Season

Records

Season
  • Kevin Garnett joined a very short list of NBA players to record a 20 point, 20 rebound, 5 assist game in their first night with a new team, with the others being Charles Barkley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Maurice Stokes, against the Washington Wizards on November 2.[53]
  • With an 8–0 season start, the Celtics were off to their best opening since winning 10 in a row to start the 1972–73 season.[54]
  • Kevin Garnett's streak of 410 consecutive games with double figures in points came to an end as he scored only 8 points in Boston's 104–59 blowout victory[55] over the New York Knicks on November 29, 2007. This was the longest streak among active players and is good for 7th in NBA history, with Michael Jordan holding the record with 840 games.[56]
  • The Celtics marked their 6th biggest win in the history of the franchise and the biggest since a 153–107 victory over the Washington Wizards in the 1970–71 season with a 104–59 blowout victory over the New York Knicks on November 29, 2007. Their biggest win came against the Golden State Warriors in the 1961–62 season with a 153–102 victory.[55]
  • With a 12–0 season start at home, the Celtics matched their 2nd best home opening since winning 12 in a row to start the 1984–85 season. Their best home opening came in the 1957–58 season, when they started the season with 17 wins in a row.[57]
  • The Celtics matched their longest winning streak since the 1992–93 season, when they won 9 in a row from March 16 to 31, 1993, with a win against the Toronto Raptors on December 16.[58]
  • With a 20–2 start, the Celtics matched the best start in franchise history. The only other team to achieve that record was the 1963–64 Celtics.[58]
  • With a 27–3 start, the Celtics matched the best start through 30 games in NBA history. One of the other 5 teams to accomplish that record was the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls, who held the NBA record for most games won in a single season, with a record of 72–10, until 2016.[59]
  • Prior to their matchup on January 5, the Celtics and Pistons combined for the 3rd highest winning percentage (.844) in the shot clock era after at least 30 games.[60]
  • The Celtics matched their best start in the history of the franchise by reaching 30 wins after only 34 games.[61]
  • With a 34–7 start, the Celtics matched their best record at mid-season in the history of the franchise. The other 3 teams to achieve that record were the 1964–65, 1972–73 and 1984–85 Celtics.[62]
  • With a 16–0 start against the West, the Celtics were off to the 2nd best opening against teams from the other conference in NBA history. The only other team to accomplish that record was the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers, who won their first 19 games against Eastern Conference teams.[63]
  • With 16 assists against the New Orleans Hornets on February 29, Rajon Rondo had the most assists in a game by a Celtics player since Sherman Douglas had 18 on March 1, 1995.[64]
  • The Celtics won 10 straight games for the first time since the 1985–86 season, when they won 14 in a row from March 11 to April 4, 1986, with a win against the Seattle SuperSonics on March 12.[65][66]
  • The Celtics swept the Texas Triangle,[67] consisting of the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, with a record of 3–0 in consecutive road games from March 17 through March 20,[68] the first team to do it since the 2001–02 Sacramento Kings.[69] It was the 4th sweep in franchise history, and the first since the 1986–87 season.[70]
  • With a 6–0 record against the Texas Triangle, the Celtics were the 13th team in NBA history to sweep the season series against each of the three teams, doing it for the 5th time in franchise history,[71] and the first team since the 1999–2000 Milwaukee Bucks.[71]
  • The Celtics defeated every team in the league at least once for the first time since the 1990–91 season.[72]
  • The Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround in franchise history by improving from 24 wins in 2006–07 to 66 wins in 2007–08, a total of 42 games.[73] The previous record of 32 games was held by the 1979–80 Celtics, who improved from 29 to 61 wins.[74]
  • The Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround in NBA history by improving from 24 wins in 2006–07 to 66 wins in 2007–08, a total of 42 games.[8] The previous record of 36 games was held by the 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs, who improved from 20 to 56 wins.[6][75]
  • The Celtics set a franchise record for fewest free throws attempted and made, with 5 and 4.[76]
  • With 3 Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards, Kevin Garnett has had the most such awards in a single season by a Celtics player since Larry Bird had 4 in the 1985–86 season.[77]
  • The Celtics sold out all 41 home games with an average attendance of 18,624 and set a single-season attendance record of 763,584.[78]

Playoffs
  • Kevin Garnett has recorded a double-double in 16 straight playoff games dating back to the 2004 Playoffs. Shaquille O'Neal is the only active player with longer such streaks, with 19 and 22.[79]
  • The Celtics allowed a playoff low in franchise history in opponent score in a half by holding the Atlanta Hawks to 26 points in the first half of Game 7 in the First Round on May 4.[80]
  • Ray Allen's streak of 852 consecutive games with points scored came to an end as he went scoreless in Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 6.[81]
  • Rajon Rondo was the first Celtics player to record at least 12 assists twice in one postseason since Danny Ainge did it in the 1988 Playoffs.[82]
  • With 41 points in the Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 18, Paul Pierce recorded the 2nd highest point total in franchise history in a Game 7.[83][84]
  • Paul Pierce and LeBron James combined for the 2nd highest point total (86) in NBA history in a Game 7 on May 18.[85]
  • The Celtics tied the record for the most consecutive road losses (6) in the playoffs in NBA history with a loss in Game 6 of the Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 16.[86]
  • The Celtics were held to the 2nd fewest field goals (21) in a Conference Finals or NBA Finals game in the shot clock era in Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons on May 26.[87]
  • The Celtics became the 4th team in NBA history to be tied at 2–2 in each of the first three playoff series.[88]
  • The Celtics tied the record for the most home wins (12) in the playoffs in NBA history with a win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 8.[89]
  • The Celtics broke the record for playoff games (26) and home wins (13), and tied the record for most road losses (9) in a single postseason.[90]

Finals

Milestones

Transactions

Trades
June 28, 2007
 To Boston Celtics
Ray Allen, and the 35th pick in the 2007 NBA draft (Glen Davis)		 To Seattle SuperSonics
Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the 5th pick in the 2007 NBA draft (Jeff Green)
July 31, 2007
 To Boston Celtics
Kevin Garnett		 To Minnesota Timberwolves
Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Boston's 2009 1st round pick, and Minnesota's own conditional 1st round pick

Free agents
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See also

References
  1. Boston's Danny Ainge Named 2007–08 NBA Executive of the Year, NBA.com, May 14, 2008.
  2. Celtics first team in playoffs after beating up Pistons, Associated Press, March 5, 2008.
  3. Jeff Horigan, For Celtics, division title a nice consolation prize, Boston Herald, March 15, 2012.
  4. Mark Murphy, History by the numbers – 60th win takes you back, Boston Herald, April 3, 2008.
  5. Marc J. Spears, Pacesetters – Celtics zero in on best record, home advantage, The Boston Globe, April 3, 2012.
  6. No Big Three, but Celts still get top seed, complete NBA's biggest turnaround, Associated Press, April 5, 2008.
  7. Marc J. Spears, Celtics shine without stars – Easy win clinches playoff advantage, The Boston Globe, April 6, 2008.
  8. Mark Murphy, C's can do as they please – Stars sit, but team still clinches homecourt, Boston Herald, April 6, 2008.
  9. Shira Springer, Celtics land Ray Allen, The Boston Globe
  10. Peter May and Shira Springer, Pruitt, Davis second choices, The Boston Globe
  11. Race to the MVP, NBA.com
  12. ESPN – Five players, two picks sent to Wolves for Garnett – NBA
  13. Celtics Acquire 10-Time All-Star Kevin Garnett | Celtics.com
  14. C's now a favorite topic: KG deal alters standing in East – BostonHerald.com
  15. Move is just the ticket for once-proud team, The Boston Globe, July 31, 2007.
  16. Celts sign Eddie House, Boston Herald
  17. Chris Sheridan, Boston starts to rebuild roster, signs House to one-year deal, ESPN.com
  18. Pollard solidifies bench, Boston Herald
  19. J.A. Adande, Celtics call Miller, who is considering return to NBA, ESPN.com, August 10, 2007
  20. ESPN – Miller's comeback shot snuffed by lengthy season – NBA
  21. ESPN – Posey agrees to two-year contract with revamped Celtics – NBA
  22. Peter May, Camp Roster Set, The Boston Globe
  23. Marc J. Spears, Wallace in, Jones and Manuel out, The Boston Globe
  24. Peter May, Rookie Wallace gets cut loose, The Boston Globe, December 19, 2007
  25. Mark Murphy, Celtics ink Brown, Boston Herald, February 27, 2008.
  26. Celtics Sign P.J. Brown, Celtics.com.
  27. Marc J. Spears, Brown in town to lend depth, The Boston Globe, February 28, 2008.
  28. Celtics Sign Guard Sam Cassell, Celtics.com, March 4, 2008.
  29. Celtics Insider, Cassell here and gone, Boston Herald, March 4, 2008.
  30. Marc J. Spears, Cassell update, The Boston Globe, March 4, 2008.
  31. Beck, Howard (June 17, 2008). "Celtics Remain Mindful of a Missed Opportunity". The New York Times. p. D2.
  32. Garnett and Yao Named Players of the Week, NBA.com, November 12, 2007.
  33. Rivers Named Coach of the Month, NBA.com, December 3, 2007.
  34. Roy, Pierce Named Players of the Week, NBA.com, December 17, 2007.
  35. Boston's Paul Pierce and New Orleans’ Chris Paul Named East and West Players of the Week, NBA.com, December 31, 2007.
  36. Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul Named Players of the Week, NBA.com, March 24, 2008.
  37. Greg Lee, KG P.O.W., The Boston Globe, March 24, 2008.
  38. Boston's Rivers, Utah's Sloan Named Coaches of the Month, NBA.com, April 1, 2008.
  39. Garnett, Iverson Named Players of the Week, NBA.com, April 14, 2008.
  40. Rivers, Jackson Named Coaches of the Month, NBA.com, April 17, 2008.
  41. Doc Rivers to Coach East in 2008 All-Star Game Archived March 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, January 21, 2008.
  42. Boston's Kevin Garnett Top Vote-Getter Among All-Stars Archived November 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, January 24, 2008.
  43. Two Hometown Hornets Named as Reserves for 2008 NBA All-Star Game Archived March 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, January 31, 2008.
  44. Boston's Ray Allen to Replace Caron Butler in All-Star Game, NBA.com, February 13, 2008.
  45. Roy Headlines T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam Archived March 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, January 30, 2008.
  46. Kevin Garnett Wins Kia Defensive Player of the Year Archived February 20, 2012, at WebCite, NBA.com, April 22, 2008.
  47. Kevin Garnett Wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year Archived May 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Celtics.com, April 22, 2008.
  48. Marc J. Spears, Garnett wins NBA defensive player award, The Boston Globe, April 22, 2008.
  49. MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team Archived December 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, May 8, 2008.
  50. Marc J. Spears, Garnett voted to NBA first team, The Boston Globe, May 9, 2008.
  51. Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team Archived July 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, May 12, 2008.
  52. Pierce wins MVP and big three take care of business in Finals, Associated Press, June 18, 2008.
  53. Garnett, Pierce spark Celtics' trampling of Wizards, Associated Press, November 2, 2007.
  54. Celts put six players in double figures to improve to 7–0, Associated Press, November 14, 2007.
  55. Celtics end Knicks' brief winning streak with colossal romp, Associated Press, November 29, 2007.
  56. Peter Masucci, Banner 17: Tragic Tale Of Unfilled Potential Archived April 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, WBZ, November 27, 2007.
  57. STATS: NBA Week 6 Notes, NBA.com, December 10, 2007.
  58. Celtics match longest winning streak since 1993, Associated Press, December 16, 2007.
  59. Garnett, Celtics come out on top after battle with Rockets, ESPN.com, January 2, 2008.
  60. Celtics rookie Davis scores 20 off bench to halt Pistons' 11-game streak, Associated Press, January 5, 2008.
  61. Garnett drops 20 as Celtics race to 30th win, Associated Press, January 11, 2008.
  62. Garnett's steal cements Celtics' last-second win over Timberwolves, Associated Press, January 25, 2008.
  63. Garnett can only watch as Powe's last-second layup lifts Celtics, Associated Press, February 8, 2008.
  64. Rondo's 16 assists power Celtics' close call vs. Bobcats, Associated Press, February 29, 2008.
  65. Win streak kicks up spirit of ’86, Boston Herald, March 12, 2008.
  66. Balanced Celtics rout Sonics for 10th straight victory, Associated Press, March 12, 2008.
  67. John Schuhmann, Boston's trip through the Texas Triangle – Statement Made, NBA.com, March 21, 2008.
  68. Marc J. Spears, Three for the road – Hustling Celtics pull off a rare triple in Texas, The Boston Globe, March 21, 2008.
  69. Celtics conclude Texas Triangle unmarked, hang on to outlast Mavs, Associated Press, March 20, 2008.
  70. Marc J. Spears, Boston Plays Texas Triangle As Few Have Before, ESPN.com, March 21, 2008.
  71. Elias Says: Sports Statistics, ESPN.com, March 20, 2008.
  72. Pierce, Garnett combine to halt Hornet's 5-game streak, Associated Press, March 28, 2008.
  73. Mark Murphy, Celtics beat all comers – New Orleans last team to fall victim, Boston Herald, March 29, 2008.
  74. Fran Blinebury, Celtics eye spoiler's role, Houston Chronicle, March 18, 2008.
  75. Lisa Brooks, Celtics: From Worst To First, ESPN.com, April 2, 2008.
  76. Celtics pull starters in fourth, coast by Bucks, Associated Press, April 11, 2008.
  77. Big Three able to rest up as Celtics take care of Knicks, Associated Press, April 14, 2008.
  78. Marc J. Spears, Good business model, The Boston Globe, October 6, 2008.
  79. STATS: NBA Playoffs: April 21 – 27, NBA.com, April 28, 2008.
  80. Garnett's double-double propels Celts to second round, Associated Press, May 4, 2008.
  81. Celtics duck Cavs despite lackluster game from Allen, Pierce, Associated Press, May 6, 2008.
  82. Elias Says... – Rondo's 13 assists, Elias Sports Bureau, May 14, 2008.
  83. Celtics Top Game 7 Scoring Performances, NBA.com, May 18, 2008.
  84. Pierce, James duke it out as Celtics close out Cavs in Game 7, Associated Press, May 18, 2008.
  85. Brett Edgerton, Two-Man Game, ESPN.com, May 19, 2008.
  86. Garnett, balanced Celtics stun Pistons for first playoff road win, Associated Press, May 24, 2008.
  87. Elias Sports Bureau, Celtics Held to 21 Field Goals, ESPN.com, May 26, 2008.
  88. Celtics have trouble with shot as Pistons send series to Boston tied 2–2, Associated Press, May 26, 2008.
  89. Celts withstand Lakers' late Game 2 run behind Pierce, defense, Associated Press, June 8, 2008.
  90. Chris Sheridan, Title No. 17 Has A Familiar Smell For Celtics, ESPN.com, June 17, 2008.
  91. Elias Sports Bureau, Team Work Pays Off, ESPN.com, June 8, 2008.
  92. Inspired Celtics storm back to push Lakers to brink of elimination, Associated Press, June 12, 2008.
  93. Elias Sports Bureau, Complete game win for Ray Allen, ESPN.com, June 12, 2008.
  94. Elias Sports Bureau, Pierce Scores 38 Points In Game Five, ESPN.com, June 15, 2008.
  95. Elias Sports Bureau, Elias Says..., ESPN.com, June 17, 2008.
  96. Celtics smash Lakers, bring home 17th NBA championship, Associated Press, June 17, 2008.
  97. Allen's last-second 3 caps milestone day as C's nip Raps, Associated Press, November 4, 2007.
  98. Garnett gets double-double as Celtics coast to win over Lakers, Associated Press, November 23, 2007.
  99. Celtics begin first West Coast trip with victory over Kings, Associated Press, December 26, 2007.
  100. Career Leaders and Records for Points, Basketball-Reference
  101. Tony Allen's 20 help Celts past Grizzlies for eighth straight win, Associated Press, January 4, 2008.
  102. Career Leaders and Records for Total Rebounds, Basketball-Reference
  103. Career Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goals, Basketball-Reference
  104. Celtics win second straight since losing streak, Associated Press, January 18, 2008.
  105. Career Leaders and Records for Blocks, Basketball-Reference
  106. Recap: Boston vs. Cleveland, The Kansas City Star, February 28, 2008.
  107. Kevin Garnett Reaches 20,000-Point Plateau, NBA.com, March 8, 2008.
  108. Steve Bulpett, C's go extra milestone – Numbers come up for Garnett, Allen, Boston Herald, March 9, 2008.
  109. Allen, Celtics breeze by Grizzlies for eighth straight win, Associated Press, March 8, 2008.
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