Morning Sports Update
“The heck is going on here?”
Cedric Maxwell wasn’t a fan of the Celtics’ 3-point record pursuit: In the excitement of a Celtics banner-raising night — culminating with an emphatic season-opening 132-109 win over the Knicks — it was easy for Boston fans to get caught up in the moment.
This may have happened near the end of the game, when it became clear to an increasing number of fans that the Celtics were on the verge of setting an NBA single-game record for 3-pointers made by a team.
Ultimately, Boston reached the record (29 threes), but went 0-for-13 on the final attempts of the night from beyond the arc. During the somewhat bizarre sequence at the end of the game, with Boston winning by a comfortable margin but repeatedly missing threes, ex-Celtic (and radio commentator) Cedric Maxwell took issue with what appeared to be the straightforward pursuit of a record.
After an especially tough stretch in which the Celtics missed three straight shots (all attempted 3-pointers), Maxwell reacted to play-by-play commentator Sean Grande’s assertion that fans knew the team only needed one more three for the record due to social media.
“Get off social media,” exclaimed Maxwell. “The heck is going on here?”
Later on in the fourth quarter, Maxwell expressed a mild degree of frustration with the continued 3-point shooting despite the lead and time remaining in the game.
“Way to go basketball gods,” he joked after another miss.
“This is like Notre Dame trying to get the ball back so Rudy can get in the game,” remarked Grande.
Eventually, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla called for Boston to run out the clock, putting an end to the contest.
“Thank you, Joe,” Maxwell concluded. “Thank you, Joe.”
Boston fans, according to Grande, felt differently about it.
“And the boos will rain down,” he said, with a wry smile. “Finally something to displease the crowd tonight.”
Trivia: Following the last Celtics’ title win (in 2008), Boston opened the next season at home against the Cavaliers, emerging with a 90-85 win. It was a game from a very different era of the NBA, with both teams combining for just six made 3-pointers in the game. What individual player led the game in threes that night?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Not a Celtic, he made his Cavs debut in that game after being traded in a three-team deal that involved the Bucks and Thunder. He also made his lone All-Star appearance that season.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics began the title defense on a positive note after raising banner number 18, defeating the Knicks 132-109 in the 2024-25 season-opener on Tuesday night at TD Garden.
Boston will head on the road for the second game of the season against the Wizards on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Also from Tuesday, the Bruins lost to the Predators 4-0 in Nashville. The Bruins will also play again on Thursday night, returning home to face the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
The Celtics’ full ring ceremony: Boston players savored last season’s title win, culminating with the raising of the 18th banner.
On this day: In 2004, the Red Sox won a wild Game 1 of the World Series against the Cardinals at Fenway Park. Fresh off their historic ALCS comeback against the rival Yankees, Boston charged full speed into the Fall Classic, intent on ending the 86-year drought.
After racing to a leads of 4-0 and then 7-2, the Red Sox struggled to contain St. Louis’ offense. The Cardinals tied the game at 7-7 in the 6th inning, and 9-9 in the 8th.
Fortunately for the Red Sox, second baseman Mark Bellhorn connected on a two-run home run that struck “Pesky Pole” in right field. Once again holding a lead, Boston managed to close things out in the 9th thanks to some timely strikeouts from Keith Foulke. It gave the Red Sox an 11-9 win, and a 1-0 series lead.
Daily highlight: Though the Celtics ended up missing their final 13 3-point attempts (and a chance to own the team record outright), Boston still managed to knock down 29 threes, tying the NBA single game record.
Trivia answer: Mo Williams
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