An Unexpected Playoff Trip

The rebuilding Celtics unexpectedly made the NBA Playoffs in 2015. With the December trade of Rajon Rondo, one of six trades made by Danny Ainge during the season, the 2008 championship core was left behind in favor of new stars. An old foe stood in the way of the Celtics in LeBron James, back with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his new Big Three with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Cleveland rolled to four relatively comfortable wins against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference First Round on their way to the NBA Finals. For Boston, six players averaged at least 9.8 points, three players at least 5.0 rebounds and four players at least 2.0 assists per game.