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The Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are Boston’s beloved NBA basketball team, formed in the early 1940s. With a long and storied history, legendary players and coaches, and a few deep rivalries, this team has been at the heart of basketball in Boston for decades. The Celtics hold 17 NBA championship titles, the most of any franchise in the NBA. The team is owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC.

Whether you’re a fan or not, a trip to Boston is inextricably tied to Celtics history.

History of the Celtics

Founded in 1946 by Walter A. Brown, the Boston Celtics is a team in the National Basketball Association playing in the Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division. The team has experienced three distinct championship eras, starting in 1957.

The first era lasted from 1957 to 1969, and the Celtics swept 11 of 13 NBA championship titles, with 8 consecutive wins between 1959 and 1966. The 1950s marked the heyday of beloved coach Arnold "Red" Auerbach's leadership, and the contributions from players Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. The winning streak continued through the 60s, a decade that saw the retirement of Cousy.

In the 1970s, Russell retired, and the Celtics dynasty waned. This set the scene for a new era.

Drafted in 1978, Larry Bird finished out his senior year at Indiana State before coming to Boston to play in the 1979-80 season. Bird was a player whose watershed entrance led the Boston Celtics toward their next winning era. 1974 marked the 12th championship title for Boston, and began another era of dominance into 1986. After the 1986 season, the Celtics experienced another unfortunate turn of events, which included the death of Len Bias, a new recruit, whose death following a cocaine overdose brought national attention to the new recreational drug of choice in America. Shortly after, Reggie Lewis, a talented player with high potential, died of a heart attack in the off-season.

The early to late 90s saw another period of decline and waning victories for the Celtics. In 1995, the team was moved from Boston, into what was known at one point as the Fleet Center. That facility was rebranded as TD Banknorth, and known simply as TD Garden. TD Garden is where the Celtics currently play.

The Celtics came back strong in the 2007-2008 season. The latter part of the 2000 decade into 2010 is marked by the leadership of the new “Big Three,” Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. This era of Celtics history saw a return of a long and famous rivalry with the Lakers.

Today, the Boston Celtics boast over 30 Hall of Famers.

Celtics Rivalries

Boston’s rivalry with the Lakers is known as one of the best in NBA history. Beginning in 1959, when the Lakers were from Minneapolis, the two teams have met in the 60s and the 80s in a total of 12 championship finals.

Another rivalry is with the Detroit Pistons. This rivalry hit a crescendo in the 1980s, with five meetings in a total of seven season finals.

The Boston Celtic rivalry with the Philidelphia 76ers has included a total of 18 meetings in the NBA finals, with the Celtics taking 11 of those titles.

Stadium

The Boston Celtics play at TD Garden, which is also home to the Boston Bruins, a NHL team. The stadium holds a maximum of 18,624. The complex is located on Causeway Street in Downtown North. The stadium is accessible by public transportation via the North Station terminal.

Drivers should note that there is no official parking lot associated with TD Garden, but a nearby garage has space for up to 1,150 cars.

Tickets

Planning to catch a Celtic’s game live during your trip to Boston? Ticket options include individual games, group tickets and premium seating in lofts and suites. With premium tickets, you’ll get access to private entrances and premium level restaurants.

Book a Boston Hotel today!

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The Boston Celtics