The 1973-74 Boston Celtics season was a remarkable campaign that culminated in the team winning their 12th NBA Championship. Under the leadership of head coach Tom Heinsohn, the Celtics posted an impressive regular-season record of 56-26, securing the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The core of the team consisted of standout players such as John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, and Jo Jo White, who were instrumental in the team’s success.
In the playoffs, the Celtics showcased their dominance by first defeating the Buffalo Braves in a tightly contested seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They then advanced to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, a series they won convincingly in five games. This victory set the stage for an NBA Finals clash with the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson.
The NBA Finals proved to be a thrilling contest, with the Celtics and the Bucks battling it out over seven games. The decisive Game 7 took place at the Milwaukee Arena, where the Celtics emerged victorious with a 102-87 win, securing the championship. Dave Cowens was pivotal in this victory, contributing significantly on both ends of the court, while John Havlicek provided veteran leadership and scoring. This championship marked the Celtics’ return to glory after a five-year title drought and solidified their legacy as one of the premier franchises in NBA history.
- Regular Season Record: 56-26
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-2, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-1, NBA Finals: 4-3
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1973-74 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| John Havlicek | 76 | 22.6 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 18 | 27.1 | 6.4 | 6.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dave Cowens | 80 | 19.0 | 15.7 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 18 | 20.5 | 13.3 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Jo Jo White | 82 | 18.1 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 16.6 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Paul Silas | 82 | 11.5 | 11.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 8.0 | 10.6 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Don Nelson | 82 | 11.5 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 18 | 11.4 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Don Chaney | 81 | 10.4 | 4.7 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 18 | 9.5 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Paul Westphal | 82 | 7.2 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 18 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Kuberski | 78 | 5.1 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Phil Hankinson | 28 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Downing | 24 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Art Williams | 67 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Hank Finkel | 60 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Boston Celtics in the 1974 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Buffalo Braves
In the 1974 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the Buffalo Braves in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and triumphed in a hard-fought six-game series. The Celtics, led by the dynamic duo of John Havlicek and Dave Cowens, showcased their resilience and depth, overcoming a spirited Braves team. This victory paved the way for Boston's eventual march to the NBA Championship, reflecting their strong postseason form.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 1974 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 107-97 | |
| Apr 02, 1974 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 115-105 | |
| Apr 03, 1974 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 120-107 | |
| Apr 06, 1974 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 104-102 | |
| Apr 09, 1974 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 100-97 | |
| Apr 12, 1974 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 106-104 |
1974 Conference Championship vs. New York Knicks
In the 1974 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics showcased their resilience and skill by defeating the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics, led by the formidable duo of John Havlicek and Dave Cowens, secured the series 4-1, demonstrating their depth and tactical prowess. This victory propelled them to the NBA Finals, where they would go on to claim their 12th championship title.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-88 | |
| Apr 16, 1974 | @ New York Knicks | W 111-99 | |
| Apr 19, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | L 103-100 | |
| Apr 21, 1974 | @ New York Knicks | W 98-91 | |
| Apr 24, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | W 105-94 |
1974 NBA Finals vs. Milwaukee Bucks
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1974 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 98-83 | |
| Apr 30, 1974 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 105-96 | |
| May 03, 1974 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 95-83 | |
| May 05, 1974 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 97-89 | |
| May 07, 1974 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-87 | |
| May 10, 1974 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 102-101 | |
| May 12, 1974 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-87 |
Boston Celtics 1973-74 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1973-74 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 118-112 | |
| Oct 13, 1973 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-106 | |
| Oct 19, 1973 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 133-102 | |
| Oct 20, 1973 | @ Capital Bullets | L 96-87 | |
| Oct 24, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 132-117 | |
| Oct 26, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-101 | |
| Oct 28, 1973 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 102-99 | |
| Oct 31, 1973 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 128-110 | |
| Nov 02, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 108-105 | |
| Nov 03, 1973 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 122-109 | |
| Nov 08, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | W 94-84 | |
| Nov 09, 1973 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 122-107 | |
| Nov 10, 1973 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 102-97 | |
| Nov 14, 1973 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-104 | |
| Nov 16, 1973 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 105-90 | |
| Nov 17, 1973 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 123-110 | |
| Nov 23, 1973 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 119-102 | |
| Nov 25, 1973 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-101 | |
| Nov 28, 1973 | vs. Capital Bullets | W 111-104 | |
| Nov 30, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 117-93 | |
| Dec 01, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 120-98 | |
| Dec 05, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | W 119-97 | |
| Dec 07, 1973 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 116-112 | |
| Dec 08, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 112-95 | |
| Dec 09, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 118-114 | |
| Dec 12, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 126-119 | |
| Dec 14, 1973 | @ Houston Rockets | W 114-106 | |
| Dec 15, 1973 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 121-120 | |
| Dec 16, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 115-110 | |
| Dec 18, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 125-106 | |
| Dec 21, 1973 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-120 | |
| Dec 23, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 96-95 | |
| Dec 26, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 125-123 | |
| Dec 29, 1973 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-92 | |
| Dec 31, 1973 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-97 | |
| Jan 02, 1974 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 109-97 | |
| Jan 04, 1974 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-101 | |
| Jan 05, 1974 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-102 | |
| Jan 09, 1974 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 106-89 | |
| Jan 11, 1974 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-103 | |
| Jan 13, 1974 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 128-105 | |
| Jan 18, 1974 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 98-94 | |
| Jan 20, 1974 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 123-102 | |
| Jan 23, 1974 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-97 | |
| Jan 25, 1974 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-97 | |
| Jan 27, 1974 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 119-98 | |
| Jan 29, 1974 | @ New York Knicks | L 104-83 | |
| Jan 30, 1974 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 120-108 | |
| Feb 01, 1974 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-105 | |
| Feb 03, 1974 | vs. Capital Bullets | L 112-99 | |
| Feb 05, 1974 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 100-98 | |
| Feb 06, 1974 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 105-104 | |
| Feb 08, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | W 125-97 | |
| Feb 10, 1974 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 95-86 | |
| Feb 12, 1974 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 107-102 | |
| Feb 13, 1974 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-100 | |
| Feb 15, 1974 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-104 | |
| Feb 17, 1974 | @ Capital Bullets | L 99-95 | |
| Feb 19, 1974 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 107-97 | |
| Feb 22, 1974 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 116-109 | |
| Feb 24, 1974 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 111-96 | |
| Feb 26, 1974 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 86-83 | |
| Feb 27, 1974 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 122-104 | |
| Mar 01, 1974 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 110-94 | |
| Mar 02, 1974 | @ New York Knicks | W 104-88 | |
| Mar 03, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | L 108-102 | |
| Mar 06, 1974 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-111 | |
| Mar 07, 1974 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 99-97 | |
| Mar 08, 1974 | @ Houston Rockets | L 113-106 | |
| Mar 10, 1974 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 94-82 | |
| Mar 12, 1974 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 110-93 | |
| Mar 13, 1974 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 104-97 | |
| Mar 15, 1974 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 104-103 | |
| Mar 16, 1974 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 146-127 | |
| Mar 17, 1974 | vs. Capital Bullets | W 129-103 | |
| Mar 19, 1974 | @ Houston Rockets | W 110-107 | |
| Mar 20, 1974 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 99-89 | |
| Mar 22, 1974 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 126-118 | |
| Mar 23, 1974 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 108-105 | |
| Mar 24, 1974 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 109-106 | |
| Mar 26, 1974 | @ Capital Bullets | L 126-108 | |
| Mar 27, 1974 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 117-108 |