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1981–82 Boston Celtics season

{{short description|NBA basketball team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Boston Celtics

| end_year = 1982

| DivisionWin = yes

| wins = 63

| losses = 19

| division = Atlantic

| division_place = 1

| conf_place = 1

| coach = Bill Fitch

| gm = Red Auerbach

| arena = Boston Garden
Hartford Civic Center

| television = PRISM New England, WBZ, WATR

| radio = WRKO, WTIC

| playoffs = Eastern Conference finals
(lost to 76ers 3–4)

| bbr_team = BOS

}}

thumb

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.

{{TOC limit|2}}

Draft picks

{{main|1981 NBA draft}}

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="background:#008040; color:white" width="10%"| Round

! style="background:#008040; color:white" width="10%"| Pick

! style="background:#008040; color:white" width="20%"| Player

! style="background:#008040; color:white" width="15%"| Position

! style="background:#008040; color:white" width="20%"| Nationality

! style="background:#008040; color:white" width="20%"| College

align="center" bgcolor=""

| 1

23Charles BradleySG{{flagu|United States}}Wyoming–Sr.
align="center" bgcolor=""

| 5

95Glen GrunwaldC{{flagu|United States}}Indiana
align="center" bgcolor=""
{{cite web|url=http://www.databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?lg=N&yr=1981 |title=1981 NBA Draft on databaseBasketball.com |accessdate=2012-11-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103194520/http://www.databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1981&lg=N |archivedate=2012-11-03 }}

Roster

{{NBA roster header|team=Boston Celtics|season=1981–82}}

{{player2 | num = 44 |first = Danny | last = Ainge | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 175 | college = BYU | DOB = 1959–03–17}}

{{player2 | num = 7 | first = Nate | last = Archibald | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 150 | college = UTEP | DOB = 1948–09–02}}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Larry | last = Bird | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 220 | college = Indiana State | DOB = 1956–12–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 35 | first = Charles | last = Bradley | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 215 | college = Wyoming | DOB = 1959–05–16 | dab=basketball}}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = M. L. | last = Carr | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 205 | college = Guilford College | DOB = 1951–01–09}}

{{player2 | num = 40 | first = Terry | last = Duerod | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 180 | college = Detroit | DOB = 1956–07–29}}

{{player2 | num = 45 | first = Eric | last = Fernsten | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 205 | college = San Francisco | DOB = 1953–11–01}}

{{player2 | num = 42 | first = Chris | last = Ford | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 190 | college = Villanova | DOB = 1949–01–11}}

{{player2 | num = 43 | first = Gerald | last = Henderson | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 175 | college = VCU | DOB = 1956–01–16}}

{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Cedric | last = Maxwell | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 205 | college = Charlotte | DOB = 1955–11–21}}

{{player2 | num = 32 | first = Kevin | last = McHale | dab = basketball | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 210 | college = Minnesota | DOB = 1957–12–19}}

{{player2 | num = 00 | first = Robert | last = Parish | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 1 | lbs = 230 | college = Centenary College of Louisiana | DOB = 1953–08–30 }}

{{player2 | num = 53 | first = Rick | last = Robey | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 230 | college = Kentucky | DOB = 1956–01–30}}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

| asst_coach =

| otherlegend = (L) On leave from the team

| roster_url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1982.html

}}

Regular season

=Season standings=

{{1981–82 NBA Atlantic standings|team=BOS}}

{{1981–82 NBA East standings|team=BOS}}

=Record vs. opponents=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
colspan=24|1981-82 NBA Records
width=100|Team

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|ATL

!style="background:#006400;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|BOS

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#000000;width=35"|CHI

!style="background:#FFD700;color:#8B0000;width=35"|CLE

!style="background:#008000;color:#00008B;width=35"|DAL

!style="background:#0000CD;color:#FFD700;width=35"|DEN

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FF0000;width=35"|DET

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFD700;width=35"|GSW

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFD700;width=35"|HOU

!style="background:#000080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|IND

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|KCK

!style="background:#800080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|LAL

!style="background:#006400;color:#B22222;width=35"|MIL

!style="background:#B0170C;color:#00056D;width=35"|NJN

!style="background:#800000;color:#191970;width=35"|NYK

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#0000FF;width=35"|PHI

!style="background:#800080;color:#FF4500;width=35"|PHO

!style="background:#000000;color:#FF0000;width=35"|POR

!style="background:#000000;color:#C0C0C0;width=35"|SAS

!style="background:#87CEEB;color:#FF8C00;width=35"|SDC

!style="background:#005831;color:#FFC322;width=35"|SEA

!style="background:#36004A;color:#FFFF00;width=35"|UTA

!style="background:#DC143C;color:#0000CD;width=35"|WAS

style="text-align:left;" | Atlanta–1–52–34–21–11–12–40–22–04–21–10–23–33–25–13–31–12–01–11–11–12–02–4
style="text-align:left;" | Boston5–1–4–25–02–01–16–01–11–14–12–01–13–35–15–14–21–11–12–02–00–22–06–0
style="text-align:left;" | Chicago3–22–4–5–11–11–10–60–21–13–31–12–01–52–43–21–50–21–11–12–01–11–12–4
style="text-align:left;" | Cleveland2–40–51–5–2–00–21–51–11–11–51–10–20–60–60–60–50–21–10–21–10–22–01–5
style="text-align:left;" | Dallas1–10–21–10–2–1–51–10–52–41–14–21–41–12–01–10–22–32–31–52–31–43–31–1
style="text-align:left;" | Denver1–11–11–12–05–1–1–13–25–10–24–21–41–11–11–11–12–32–32–45–02–33–32–0
style="text-align:left;" | Detroit4–20–66–05–11–11–1–2–02–02–42–00–22–42–43–32–30–20–20–22–01–11–11–4
style="text-align:left;" | Golden State2–01–12–01–15–02–30–2–1–42–03–23–32–01–11–10–24–22–43–25–11–53–21–1
style="text-align:left;" | Houston0–21–11–11–14–21–50–24–1–2–03–31–41–11–11–11–13–24–13–34–12–36–02–0
style="text-align:left;" | Indiana2–41–53–35–11–12–04–20–20–2–1–10–20–64–23–20–61–11–12–02–01–11–11–5
style="text-align:left;" | Kansas City1–10–21–11–12–42–40–22–33–31–1–1–41–11–12–00–22–30–51–54–12–33–30–2
style="text-align:left;" | Los Angeles2–01–10–22–04–14–12–03–34–12–04–1–0–21–10–21–14–25–12–35–14–25–02–0
style="text-align:left;" | Milwaukee3–33–35–16–01–11–14–20–21–16–01–12–0–4–13–34–21–12–01–12–00–22–03–2
style="text-align:left;" | New Jersey2–31–54–26–00–21–14–21–11–12–41–11–11–4–4–23–32–01–11–12–00–22–04–2
style="text-align:left;" | New York1–51–52–36–01–11–13–31–11–12–30–22–03–32–4–1–50–21–10–22–00–22–01–5
style="text-align:left;" | Philadelphia3–32–45–15–02–01–13–22–01–16–02–01–12–43–35–1–1–12–00–22–02–02–06–0
style="text-align:left;" | Phoenix1–11–12–02–03–23–22–02–42–31–13–22–41–10–22–01–1–3–34–14–23–33–21–1
style="text-align:left;" | Portland0–21–11–11–13–23–22–04–21–41–15–01–50–21–11–10–23–3–3–24–23–34–10–2
style="text-align:left;" | San Antonio1–10–21–12–05–14–22–02–33–30–25–13–21–11–12–02–01–42–3–3–24–13–31–1
style="text-align:left;" | San Diego1–10–20–21–13–20–50–21–51–40–21–41–50–20–20–20–22–42–42–3–1–51–40–2
style="text-align:left;" | Seattle1–12–01–12–04–13–21–15–13–21–13–22–42–02–02–00–23–33–31–45–1–5–01–1
style="text-align:left;" | Utah0–20–21–10–23–33–31–12–30–61–13–30–50–20–20–20–22–31–43–34–10–5–1–1
style="text-align:left;" | Washington4–20–64–25–11–10–24–11–10–25–12–00–22–32–45–10–61–12–01–12–01–11–1—

Game log

=Regular season=

{{NBA game log start|Boston Celtics|end_year=1982|bgcolor=#006400|color=#FFFFFF|record=Total: 63–19 (home: 35–6; road: 28–13)}}

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|October|first=yes|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 1

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 1

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 1

| October 30

| Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198110300BOS.html W 124–100]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 1–0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 2

| October 31

| @ Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198110310MIL.html L 103–119]

|

|

|

| MECCA Arena

| 1–1

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|November|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 7

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 5

| road_losses = 0

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 3

| November 4

| Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111040BOS.html W 115–93]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 2–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 4

| November 6

| Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111060BOS.html W 111–94]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 3–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 5

| November 7

| @ Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111070DET.html W 129–88]

|

|

|

| Pontiac Silverdome

| 4–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 6

| November 10

| @ Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111100WSB.html W 90–84]

|

|

|

| Capital Centre

| 5–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 7

| November 11

| Kansas City

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111110BOS.html W 115–100]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 6–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 8

| November 13

| New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111130BOS.html W 111–97]

|

|

|

| Hartford Civic Center

| 7–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 9

| November 14

| @ Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111140CLE.html W 92–91]

|

|

|

| Richfield Coliseum

| 8–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 10

| November 17

| @ Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111170CHI.html W 98–95]

|

|

|

| Chicago Stadium

| 9–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 11

| November 18

| Houston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111180BOS.html L 104–106]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 9–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 12

| November 20

| Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111200BOS.html W 112–89]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 10–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 13

| November 25

| Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111250BOS.html W 122–101]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 11–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 14

| November 27

| Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111270BOS.html W 113–100]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 12–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 15

| November 28

| @ Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198111280ATL.html W 98–90]

|

|

|

| The Omni

| 13–2

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|December|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 6

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 5

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 16

| December 1

| @ Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112010IND.html L 87–90]

|

|

|

| Market Square Arena

| 13–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 17

| December 2

| Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112020BOS.html W 115–114]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 14–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 18

| December 4

| Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112040BOS.html W 111–103]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 15–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 19

| December 5

| @ New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112050NYK.html L 83–103]

|

|

|

| Madison Square Garden

| 15–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 20

| December 9

| New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112090BOS.html W 109–100]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 16–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 21

| December 11

| Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112110BOS.html W 94–86]

|

|

|

| Hartford Civic Center

| 17–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 22

| December 12

| @ Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112120ATL.html L 97–108]

|

|

|

| The Omni

| 17–5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 23

| December 16

| Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112160BOS.html W 109–92]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 18–5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 24

| December 18

| @ Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112180WSB.html W 99–98]

|

|

|

| Capital Centre

| 19–5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 25

| December 19

| @ Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112190PHI.html L 118–123 (OT)]

|

|

|

| The Spectrum

| 19–6

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 26

| December 22

| Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112220BOS.html W 120–116]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 20–6

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 27

| December 26

| @ Kansas City

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197912260KCK.html W 124–119 (OT)]

|

|

|

| Kemper Arena

| 21–6

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 28

| December 29

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112290DEN.html L 123–128]

|

|

|

| McNichols Sports Arena

| 21–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 29

| December 30

| @ Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198112300UTA.html W 121–110]

|

|

|

| Salt Palace Acord Arena

| 22–7

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|January|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 5

| home_losses = 3

| road_wins = 5

| road_losses = 1

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 30

| January 2

| @ Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201020CLE.html W 106–103]

|

|

|

| Richfield Coliseum

| 22–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 31

| January 6

| Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201060BOS.html L 102–116]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 23–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 32

| January 8

| Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201080BOS.html W 96–90]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 24–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 33

| January 10

| Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201100BOS.html W 134–124]

|

|

|

| Hartford Civic Center

| 25–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 34

| January 11

| @ New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201110NJN.html W 112–94]

|

|

|

| Brendan Byrne Arena

| 26–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 35

| January 13

| Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201130BOS.html W 116–95]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 27–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 36

| January 15

| @ Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201150MIL.html L 118–122]

|

|

|

| MECCA Arena

| 27–9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 37

| January 16

| @ Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201160DET.html W 128–120]

|

|

|

| Pontiac Silverdome

| 28–9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 38

| January 19

| @ New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201190NYK.html W 111–107]

|

|

|

| Madison Square Garden

| 29–9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 39

| January 20

| Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201200BOS.html W 112–103]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 30–9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 40

| January 22

| Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201220BOS.html L 106–118]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 30–10

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 41

| January 24

| Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201240BOS.html L 119–123]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 30–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 42

| January 27

| New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201270BOS.html W 131–99]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 31–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 43

| January 28

| @ Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198201280CLE.html W 116–104]

|

|

|

| Richfield Coliseum

| 32–11

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|February|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 4

| road_losses = 3

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 44

| February 2

| @ Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202020IND.html W 109–105]

|

|

|

| Market Square Arena

| 33–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 45

| February 5

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202050BOS.html W 145–144]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 34–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 46

| February 7

| Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202070BOS.html L 113–119]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 34–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 47

| February 10

| @ Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202100PHO.html L 110–112]

|

|

|

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

| 34–13

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 48

| February 12

| @ San Diego

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202120SDC.html W 129–116]

|

|

|

| San Diego Sports Arena

| 35–13

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 49

| February 14

| @ Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202140LAL.html W 108–103]

|

|

|

| The Forum

| 36–13

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 50

| February 17

| @ Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202170GSW.html L 105–121]

|

|

|

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena

| 36–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 51

| February 19

| @ Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202190POR.html W 127–117]

|

|

|

| Memorial Coliseum

| 37–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 52

| February 21

| @ Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202210SEA.html L 100–103]

|

|

|

| Kingdome

| 37–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 53

| February 24

| Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202240BOS.html W 132–90]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 38–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 54

| February 26

| San Diego

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202260BOS.html W 122–110]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 39–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 55

| February 28

| Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198202280BOS.html W 106–102]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 40–15

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|March|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 8

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 8

| road_losses = 0

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 56

| March 2

| @ Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203020DAL.html W 101–97]

|

|

|

| Reunion Arena

| 41–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 58

| March 5

| @ Houston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203050HOU.html W 100–98]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 43–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 59

| March 7

| New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203070BOS.html W 107–106]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 44–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 60

| March 8

| @ Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203080DET.html W 111–101]

|

|

|

| Pontiac Silverdome

| 45–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 61

| March 10

| Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203100BOS.html W 121–100]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 46–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 62

| March 12

| @ New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203120NJN.html W 113–109]

|

|

|

| Brendan Byrne Arena

| 47–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 63

| March 14

| Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203140BOS.html W 105–92]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 48–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 64

| March 16

| @ Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203160WSB.html W 98–97 (OT)]

|

|

|

| Capital Centre

| 49–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 65

| March 17

| Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203170BOS.html W 113–109]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 50–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 67

| March 21

| @ Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203210PHI.html W 123–111]

|

|

|

| The Spectrum

| 52–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 68

| March 23

| @ Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203230CHI.html W 110–103]

|

|

|

| Chicago Stadium

| 53–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 69

| March 24

| Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203240BOS.html W 136–115]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 54–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 70

| March 26

| Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203260BOS.html W 125–104]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 55–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 71

| March 28

| Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203280BOS.html L 98–116]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 55–16

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 72

| March 31

| Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198203310BOS.html W 119–109]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 56–16

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|April|bgcolor=#FFFFFF|color=#006400

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 3

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 73

| April 2

| @ Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204020ATL.html W 110–107]

|

|

|

| The Omni

| 57–16

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 74

| April 4

| Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204040BOS.html W 114–112]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 58–16

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 75

| April 6

| @ Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204060MIL.html L 116–122]

|

|

|

| MECCA Arena

| 58–17

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 76

| April 8

| @ New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204080NYK.html W 110–106]

|

|

|

| Madison Square Garden

| 59–17

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 77

| April 9

| New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204090BOS.html W 106–103]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 60–17

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 78

| April 11

| @ Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204110PHI.html W 110–109 (OT)]

|

|

|

| The Spectrum

| 61–17

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 79

| April 13

| @ Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204130CHI.html L 115–120]

|

|

|

| Chicago Stadium

| 61–18

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 80

| April 14

| Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204140BOS.html W 100–91]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 62–18

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 81

| April 16

| @ New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204160NJN.html L 96–113]

|

|

|

| Brendan Byrne Arena

| 62–19

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 82

| April 18

| New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204180BOS.html W 119–99]

|

|

|

| Boston Garden

| 63–19

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=BOS|end_year=1982}}

=Playoffs=

{{NBA game log start|Boston Celtics|end_year=1982|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#006400|color=#FFFFFF}}

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|color=#008040|bgcolor=white|Conference semifinals|playoffs=yes|first=yes|show=no

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 0

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 1

| April 25

| Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204250BOS.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198204280BOS.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205010WSB.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205020WSB.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205050BOS.html W 131–126 (2OT)]

| Robert Parish (33)

| Robert Parish (13)

| Tiny Archibald (11)

| Boston Garden
15,320

| 4–1

|-

{{NBA game log section|Boston Celtics|color=#008040|bgcolor=white|Conference finals|playoffs=yes|show=no

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 2

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 1

| May 9

| Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205090BOS.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205120BOS.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205150PHI.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205160PHI.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205190BOS.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205210PHI.html 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

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205230BOS.html L 106–120]

| Robert Parish (23)

| Robert Parish (14)

| Larry Bird (9)

| Boston Garden
15,320

| 3–4

|-

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=BOS|end_year=1982|playoffs=yes}}

References

{{reflist}}

Awards and honors

  • Larry Bird, All-NBA First Team

See also

{{1981–82 NBA season by team}}

{{Boston Celtics}}

{{Boston Celtics seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1981-82 Boston Celtics season}}

Category:Boston Celtics seasons

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Celtics

Celtics