The Dynasty Hits a Bump

Led by All-Star Larry Bird, the Celtics posted 56 wins and the league’s third-best record in the 1982-83 season. The highlight of his season came on March 30 when Bird scored a then franchise single-game record of 53 points against his home state Indiana Pacers. Even with their win total, the Celtics came in second place in the Atlantic Division. Instead of an opening-round bye, the team squared off against Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference First Round. Game 3 featured a brawl between Danny Ainge and Tree Rollins, but Boston clinched the series with a win that night. Facing a rested Milwaukee Bucks team in the semifinals, the Celtics struggled to keep up. With Larry Bird sidelined from an injury in Game 2, and with Milwaukee outrebounding the C’s 190-158, the Celtics suffered a four-game sweep.