1990–91 Boston Celtics season

1990–91 Boston Celtics season
Division champions
Head coachChris Ford
General managerDave Gavitt
OwnersDon Gaston
Alan N. Cohen
Paul Dupee
ArenaBoston Garden
Hartford Civic Center
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Pistons 2–4)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWFXT
(Tom Heinsohn, Bob Cousy)
SportsChannel New England
(Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn)
RadioWEEI
(Glenn Ordway, Doug Brown)

The 1990–91 Boston Celtics season was the 45th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Celtics had the 19th overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft, and selected point guard Dee Brown out of Jacksonville University,[2][3][4] and also hired Chris Ford as their new head coach during the off-season.[5][6][7] After playing overseas in Italy the previous season, former Celtics guard Brian Shaw would return to the team after a one-year absence.[8][9] The Celtics started their season without John Bagley, who would miss the entire regular season due to tendinitis in his right knee; Bagley later on had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in March.[10][11]

After failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs in the previous two seasons, it appeared that the Celtics were fading as NBA title contenders. However, the team got off to a 29–5 start to the regular season, reminiscent of their title years of the 1980s, and once again established themselves as contenders,[12] holding a 35–12 record at the All-Star break.[13] Beginning in January, Larry Bird began to miss significant playing time due to back injuries, missing 22 games as the team struggled in his absence.[14][15][16] The Celtics finished in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 56–26 record, and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference;[17] the Celtics also qualified for the NBA playoffs for the twelfth consecutive year.[18]

Bird averaged 19.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while Reggie Lewis averaged 18.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and sixth man Kevin McHale provided the team with 18.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game off the bench. In addition, Kevin Gamble contributed 15.6 points per game, while Robert Parish averaged 14.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Shaw provided with 13.8 points, 7.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Off the bench, Brown contributed 8.7 points and 4.2 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Ed Pinckney averaged 5.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and Joe Kleine provided with 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.[19]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bird, McHale and Parish were all selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while Ford was selected to coach the Eastern Conference, although Bird did not participate due to injury; it was the final All-Star appearance for both McHale and Parish.[20][21][22] Meanwhile, Brown won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.[23][21][24]

Bird finished tied in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Parish finished in 14th place, and McHale finished tied in 19th place;[25] McHale also finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,[26][25] while Gamble finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Scott Skiles of the Orlando Magic,[27][25] Brown finished in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting,[28][25] and Ford finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting.[29][25]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Celtics survived a scare from the 7th-seeded Indiana Pacers, going the full five games before winning a classic finale (in which Bird went to the locker room during the game with injury, only to return and finish with 32 points).[30][31][32] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Celtics held home court advantage against the 2-time defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, but Bird missed Game 1 due to injury and the Pistons took the game at Boston Garden, 86–75.[33][34] Bird returned for the remainder of the series and the Celtics rallied to win Games 2 and 3 (Game 3 a blowout win in Detroit, 115–83),[35][36] but Detroit won 3 in a row afterwards to take the series.[37][38][39]

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 19 Dee Brown SG/PG  United States Jacksonville

Roster

1990–91 Boston Celtics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 5 John Bagley  (IN) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1960–04–23 Boston College
F 33 Larry Bird 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1956–12–07 Indiana State
G 7 Dee Brown 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1968–11–29 Jacksonville
G/F 34 Kevin Gamble 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1965–11–13 Iowa
C 53 Joe Kleine 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1962–01–04 Arkansas
G 35 Reggie Lewis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–11–21 Northeastern
F 32 Kevin McHale 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1957–12–19 Minnesota
C 00 Robert Parish 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1953–08–30 Centenary
F 54 Ed Pinckney 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–03–27 Villanova
F 42 Dave Popson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–05–17 North Carolina
G 20 Brian Shaw 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–03–22 UC Santa Barbara
G 13 Charles E. Smith 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1967–11–29 Georgetown
G 43 Derek Smith 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1961–11–01 Louisville
F 11 Michael Smith 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1965–05–19 BYU
C 52 Stojko Vranković 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1964–01–22 Croatia
G 12 A. J. Wynder 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1964–09–11 Fairfield
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: April 12, 1991

Roster notes

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics 56 26 .683 35–6 21–20 20-6
x-Philadelphia 76ers 44 38 .537 12 29-12 15-26 14-12
x-New York Knicks 39 43 .476 17 21-20 18-23 17–9
Washington Bullets 30 52 .366 26 21-20 9-32 10-16
New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 30 20-21 6–35 8-18
Miami Heat 24 58 .293 32 18-23 6-35 9-17
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls 61 21 .744
2 y-Boston Celtics 56 26 .683 5
3 x-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 11
4 x-Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 .585 13
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers 44 38 .537 17
6 x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 18
7 x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 20
8 x-New York Knicks 39 43 .476 22
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 33 49 .402 28
10 Washington Bullets 30 52 .366 31
11 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 35
12 Charlotte Hornets 26 56 .317 35
13 Miami Heat 24 58 .293 37
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

1990-91 game log
November
Game Date Opponent Score Location Record
1 November 2 Cleveland W 125–101 Boston Garden 1–0
2 November 3 @ New York W 106–103 Madison Square Garden 2–0
3 November 6 @ Chicago W 110–108 Chicago Stadium 3–0
4 November 9 Chicago L 100–120 Boston Garden 3–1
5 November 10 @ New Jersey W 105–91 Brendan Byrne Arena 4–1
6 November 13 @ Milwaukee L 91–119 Bradley Center 4–2
7 November 14 Charlotte W 135–126 Boston Garden 5–2
8 November 16 Utah W 114–89 Boston Garden 6–2
9 November 17 @ Washington W 102–90 Capital Centre 7–2
10 November 21 Houston W 108–95 Boston Garden 8–2
11 November 23 Sacramento W 115–105 Boston Garden 9–2
12 November 24 @ Cleveland W 113–102 Richfield Coliseum 10–2
13 November 26 Miami W 118–101 Hartford Civic Center 11–2
14 November 30 Washington W 123–95 Boston Garden 12–2
December
Game Date Opponent Score Location Record
15 December 1 @ Philadelphia L 110–116 The Spectrum 12–3
16 December 3 Seattle W 135–102 Boston Garden 13–3
17 December 5 Denver W 148–140 Boston Garden 14–3
18 December 7 @ Dallas W 112–104 Reunion Arena 15–3
19 December 8 @ San Antonio L 96–102 HemisFair Arena 15–4
20 December 10 @ Houston W 107–95 The Summit 16–4
21 December 12 Milwaukee W 129–111 Boston Garden 17–4
22 December 14 Detroit W 108–100 Boston Garden 18–4
23 December 15 @ Miami W 114–100 Miami Arena 19–4
24 December 19 Philadelphia W 115–105 Boston Garden 20–4
25 December 20 @ Charlotte W 115–96 Charlotte Coliseum 21–4
26 December 23 Atlanta W 132–104 Boston Garden 22–4
27 December 26 Indiana W 152–132 Boston Garden 23–4
28 December 28 @ Atlanta L 114–131 The Omni 23–5
January
Game Date Opponent Score Location Record
29 January 2 New York W 113–86 Boston Garden 24–5
30 January 4 Phoenix W 132–103 Boston Garden 25–5
31 January 6 Dallas W 127–110 Boston Garden 26–5
32 January 8 @ New York W 101–87 Madison Square Garden 27–5
33 January 9 Milwaukee W 110–102 Boston Garden 28–5
34 January 11 L.A. Clippers W 109–107 Boston Garden 29–5
35 January 12 @ Washington L 99–116 Capital Centre 29–6
36 January 16 Golden State L 105–110 Boston Garden 29–7
37 January 18 New Jersey L 106–111 Boston Garden 29–8
38 January 21 @ Detroit L 90–101 The Palace of Auburn Hills 29–9
39 January 23 Detroit W 111–94 Boston Garden 30–9
40 January 25 @ Philadelphia L 94–116 The Spectrum 30–10
41 January 27 L.A. Lakers L 87–104 Boston Garden 30–11
42 January 28 @ Minnesota W 108–87 Target Center 31–11
43 January 30 Orlando W 144–102 Boston Garden 32–11
February
Game Date Opponent Score Location Record
44 February 1 @ Charlotte L 91–92 Charlotte Coliseum 32–12
45 February 3 Washington W 119–101 Boston Garden 33–12
46 February 6 Charlotte W 133–117 Boston Garden 34–12
47 February 7 @ New York W 117–101 Madison Square Garden 35–12
48 February 12 @ Seattle W 114–111 Seattle Center Coliseum 36–12
49 February 14 @ Golden State W 128–112 Oakland Coliseum 37–12
50 February 15 @ L. A. Lakers W 98–85 The Forum 38–12
51 February 17 @ Denver W 126–108 McNichols Sports Arena 39–12
52 February 19 @ Phoenix L 105–109 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 39–13
53 February 22 New Jersey W 111–99 Hartford Civic Center 40–13
54 February 24 @ Indiana L 109–115 Market Square Arena 40–14
55 February 26 @ Chicago L 99–129 Chicago Stadium 40–15
56 February 27 Minnesota W 116–111 Boston Garden 41–15
March
Game Date Opponent Score Location Record
57 March 1 San Antonio W 108–98 Boston Garden 42–15
58 March 3 Portland L 107–116 Boston Garden 42–16
59 March 4 Indiana W 126–101 Hartford Civic Center 43–16
60 March 6 Miami W 126–117 Boston Garden 44–16
61 March 8 @ L. A. Clippers W 104–98 L.A. Sports Arena 45–16
62 March 10 @ Portland W 111–109 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 46–16
63 March 12 @ Sacramento W 110–95 ARCO Arena 47–16
64 March 13 @ Utah L 109–112 Salt Palace 47–17
65 March 15 @ Washington W 94–86 Capital Centre 48–17
66 March 17 Philadelphia W 110–105 Boston Garden 49–17
67 March 19 @ Atlanta L 92–104 The Omni 49–18
68 March 20 Washington W 102–81 Boston Garden 50–18
69 March 22 @ Indiana L 109–121 Market Square Arena 50–19
70 March 28 @ Miami L 88–90 Miami Arena 50–20
71 March 29 Cleveland W 110–108 Boston Garden 51–20
72 March 31 Chicago W 135–132 (2OT) Boston Garden 52–20
April
Game Date Opponent Score Location Record
73 April 2 @ New Jersey W 94–77 Brendan Byrne Arena 53–20
74 April 4 New Jersey W 123–104 Boston Garden 54–20
75 April 6 @ Orlando L 98–102 Orlando Arena 54–21
76 April 11 @ Milwaukee L 92–111 Bradley Center 54–22
77 April 12 Miami W 119–109 Boston Garden 55–22
78 April 14 New York W 115–102 Boston Garden 56–22
79 April 16 @ Detroit L 90–118 The Palace of Auburn Hills 56–23
80 April 18 @ Philadelphia L 97–122 The Spectrum 56–24
81 April 19 @ Cleveland L 117–124 (OT) Richfield Coliseum 56–25
82 April 21 Atlanta L 105–117 Boston Garden 56–26
1990-91 Schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
First round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 26 Indiana W 127–120 Reggie Lewis (28) Larry Bird (12) Larry Bird (12) Boston Garden
14,890
1–0
2 April 28 Indiana L 118–130 Lewis, Shaw (22) Robert Parish (12) Larry Bird (10) Boston Garden
14,890
1–1
3 May 1 @ Indiana W 112–105 Kevin McHale (22) Larry Bird (9) Brian Shaw (7) Market Square Arena
16,530
2–1
4 May 3 @ Indiana L 113–116 Kevin McHale (24) Robert Parish (12) Larry Bird (8) Market Square Arena
16,530
2–2
5 May 5 Indiana W 124–121 Larry Bird (32) Larry Bird (9) Brian Shaw (9) Boston Garden
14,890
3–2
Conference Semi-finals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 7 Detroit L 75–86 Reggie Lewis (20) Kevin McHale (10) Brian Shaw (5) Boston Garden
14,890
0–1
2 May 9 Detroit W 109–103 Reggie Lewis (23) Robert Parish (13) Dee Brown (8) Boston Garden
14,890
1–1
3 May 11 @ Detroit W 115–83 Reggie Lewis (21) Robert Parish (11) Brown, McHale (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
2–1
4 May 13 @ Detroit L 97–104 Kevin McHale (28) Robert Parish (10) Brian Shaw (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
2–2
5 May 15 Detroit L 111–116 Reggie Lewis (30) Reggie Lewis (11) Dee Brown (10) Boston Garden
14,890
2–3
6 May 17 @ Detroit L 113–117 (OT) Kevin McHale (34) Ed Pinckney (9) Reggie Lewis (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
2–4
1991 schedule

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

Boston Celtics statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Larry Bird 60 60 38.0 .454 .389 .891 8.5 7.2 1.8 1.0 19.4
Dee Brown 82 5 23.7 .464 .206 .873 2.2 4.2 1.0 0.2 8.7
Kevin Gamble 82 76 33.0 .587 .000 .815 3.3 3.1 1.2 0.4 15.6
Joe Kleine 72 1 11.8 .468 .000 .783 3.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 3.6
Reggie Lewis 79 79 36.4 .491 .077 .826 5.2 2.5 1.2 1.1 18.7
Kevin McHale 68 10 30.4 .553 .405 .829 7.1 1.9 0.4 2.1 18.4
Robert Parish 81 81 30.1 .598 .000 .767 10.6 0.8 0.8 1.3

14.9

Ed Pinckney 70 16 16.6 .539 .000 .897 4.9 0.6 0.9 0.6 5.2
Dave Popson 19 0 3.4 .406 .000 .900 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.8
Brian Shaw 79 79 35.1 .469 .111 .819 4.7 7.6 1.3 0.4 13.8
Charles E. Smith 5 0 6.0 .429 .000 .600 0.4 1.2 0.2 0.0 1.8
Derek Smith 2 0 8.0 .250 .000 .750 0.0 2.5 0.5 0.5 2.5
Michael Smith 47 3 8.3 .475 .250 .815 1.2 0.9 0.1 0.0 4.6
Stojko Vranković 31 0 5.4 .462 .000 .556 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.9 1.9
A. J. Wynder 6 0 6.5 .250 .000 .750 0.5 1.3 0.2 0.0 2.0

Playoffs

Boston Celtics statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Larry Bird 10 10 39.6 .408 .143 .863 7.2 6.5 1.3 0.3 17.1
Dee Brown 11 0 25.8 .491 .000 .824 4.1 3.7 1.0 0.5 12.2
Kevin Gamble 11 11 21.6 .483 .000 .667 1.2 1.7 0.4 0.2 6.0
Joe Kleine 5 1 6.2 .444 .000 .000 2.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.6
Reggie Lewis 11 11 42.0 .487 .000 .824 6.2 2.9 1.1 0.5 22.4
Kevin McHale 11 1 34.2 .527 .545 .825 6.5 1.8 0.5 1.3 20.7
Robert Parish 10 10 29.6 .598 .000 .689 9.2 0.6 0.8 0.7 15.8
Ed Pinckney 11 0 15.5 .762 .000 .810 3.6 0.2 0.5 0.2 4.5
Brian Shaw 11 11 28.7 .470 .333 .867 3.5 4.6 0.9 0.1 11.0
Derek Smith 10 0 8.6 .429 .000 .786 0.9 0.5 0.3 0.1 2.9
Michael Smith 2 0 3.0 .500 .000 .000 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.0
Stojko Vranković 1 0 4.0 1.000 .000 .000 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0

Player Statistics Citation:[19]

Awards and records

Transactions

Players Added

Draft

Free agency

Players Lost

Released

Free agency

Player Transactions Citation:[40]

References

  1. ^ 1990–91 Boston Celtics
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1990). "Nets Make Coleman No. 1 Pick in N.B.A. Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  3. ^ "Clippers Go With Kimble: NBA Draft: Derrick Coleman, as Expected, Is No. 1 Overall With Nets. Clippers Also Grab Michigan's Vaught With 13th Pick". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 28, 1990. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  4. ^ "1990 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  5. ^ "Celtics Turn to Ford to Give Then a Lift". The Washington Post. Associated Press. June 12, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  6. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 13, 1990). "Celtics Choose Ford as New Head Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "Chris Ford Becomes Celtic Coach". Los Angeles Times. June 13, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  8. ^ "Celtics Seek to Keep Shaw from Staying in Italy". Los Angeles Times. June 16, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Shaw Close on Return to Celtics, Report Says". The New York Times. September 14, 1990. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Celtics Keep F Popson; Put Guards Smith, Bagley on IR". United Press International. November 1, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "For the Record". The Washington Post. March 14, 1991. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  12. ^ "Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics Box Score, January 11, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  13. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  14. ^ "BASKETBALL; Hope Riding on Bird's Bad Back". The New York Times. April 25, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  15. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Back Surgery for Bird". The New York Times. June 7, 1991. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  16. ^ Arace, Michael (November 1, 1991). "Ready or Not, Here Come the Celtics". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "1990–91 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  18. ^ "Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "1990–91 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  20. ^ Barnard, Bill (February 10, 1991). "The Show of Shows for Magic: NBA: For Laker Guard, Making His 10th Appearance, Each and Every All-Star Game Is a Special Occasion". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "1991 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  22. ^ "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  23. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 10, 1991). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rookie Wins Dunk Contest". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d e "1990–91 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "Schrempf Nips Majerle as NBA's Top 6th Man". Deseret News. May 1, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  27. ^ Cooper, Barry (May 3, 1991). "It's No Dream - Skiles Is Named Most Improved". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  28. ^ Bondy, Filip (May 7, 1991). "BASKETBALL; With Rookie Award Won, Marketing of Coleman Begins". The New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  29. ^ "Chaney Gets Coaching Award, New Contract". United Press International. May 23, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  30. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 6, 1991). "BASKETBALL; The Legend Grows for Bird and Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  31. ^ Wilbon, Michael (May 6, 1991). "Bird Hits Floor, Turns Other Cheek and Decks Pacers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  32. ^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  33. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Injury Sidelines Bird as Celtics Lose Opener". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  34. ^ Arace, Michael (May 8, 1991). "Celtics Can't Fly Without Bird, Losing to Pistons, 86-75: NBA Playoffs: Ailing Back Prevents His Playing. Parish and Thomas Have to Leave the Game in the Fourth Quarter with Ankle Injuries". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  35. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: Only Time Stops Celtics in 115-83 Beating of Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  36. ^ Klonke, Chuck (May 11, 1991). "Celtics 115, Pistons 83". United Press International. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  37. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 18, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Quest for Third Title Alive as Pistons Eliminate Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  38. ^ Cotton, Anthony (May 18, 1991). "Pistons Eliminate Celtics in Overtime". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  39. ^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  40. ^ "1990–91 Boston Celtics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.

See also