The 2004-05 Boston Celtics season marked a significant transition for the franchise. Under the guidance of head coach Doc Rivers, who was in his first year with the team, the Celtics finished the regular season with a 45-37 record. This performance was enough to secure them the Atlantic Division title, their first since the 1991-92 season. The division win granted them the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Celtics’ roster featured a mix of veteran presence and youthful talent. Paul Pierce continued to be the cornerstone of the team, leading in scoring with an average of 21.6 points per game. The season also saw the emergence of young players like Al Jefferson and Tony Allen, who contributed significantly off the bench. A notable mid-season acquisition was Antoine Walker, who returned to the team in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks, adding depth and experience to the squad.
In the playoffs, the Celtics faced the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Despite a strong start, winning two of the first three games, Boston struggled to maintain momentum. The series went to a decisive Game 7, where the Celtics fell short, losing 97-70 at home. This early exit highlighted the team’s inconsistencies and areas for improvement. Overall, the 2004-05 season was a mix of promise and underachievement, setting the stage for future development under Rivers’ leadership.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-4
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 2004-05 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Paul Pierce | 82 | 21.6 | 6.6 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 37.0 | 7 | 22.9 | 7.7 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 25.9 |
| Antoine Walker | 24 | 16.3 | 8.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 34.2 | 6 | 16.7 | 7.3 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 36.8 |
| Ricky Davis | 82 | 16.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 33.9 | 7 | 12.4 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 33.3 |
| Gary Payton | 77 | 11.3 | 3.1 | 6.1 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 32.6 | 7 | 10.3 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 7.1 |
| Raef LaFrentz | 80 | 11.1 | 6.9 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 36.4 | 7 | 6.9 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 50.0 |
| Mark Blount | 82 | 9.4 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 4 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jiří Welsch | 55 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 32.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Al Jefferson | 71 | 6.7 | 4.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 7 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Tony Allen | 77 | 6.4 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 38.7 | 7 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Marcus Banks | 81 | 4.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 35.6 | 7 | 4.6 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Delonte West | 39 | 4.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 35.8 | 7 | 4.1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 45.5 |
| Walter McCarty | 44 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Kendrick Perkins | 60 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 6 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Justin Reed | 23 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Gugliotta | 20 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Boston Celtics in the 2005 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Indiana Pacers
In the 2005 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Despite a strong start with a Game 1 victory, the Celtics struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately losing the series in seven games. Key performances from Paul Pierce were not enough to overcome the Pacers' resilience, marking a disappointing end to Boston's postseason aspirations that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2005 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-82 | |
| Apr 25, 2005 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 82-79 | |
| Apr 28, 2005 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 99-76 | |
| Apr 30, 2005 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 110-79 | |
| May 03, 2005 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 90-85 | |
| May 05, 2005 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 92-89 | |
| May 07, 2005 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 97-70 |
Boston Celtics 2004-05 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2004-05 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 2004 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 98-95 | |
| Nov 05, 2004 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 100-94 | |
| Nov 06, 2004 | @ New York Knicks | W 107-73 | |
| Nov 10, 2004 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 90-88 | |
| Nov 12, 2004 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 91-74 | |
| Nov 17, 2004 | @ Washington Wizards | L 110-105 | |
| Nov 19, 2004 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 92-84 | |
| Nov 21, 2004 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 102-83 | |
| Nov 23, 2004 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 106-96 | |
| Nov 24, 2004 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 110-97 | |
| Nov 26, 2004 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 98-96 | |
| Nov 28, 2004 | @ Miami Heat | L 106-104 | |
| Nov 29, 2004 | @ Orlando Magic | W 117-101 | |
| Dec 01, 2004 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-100 | |
| Dec 03, 2004 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 91-89 | |
| Dec 05, 2004 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 119-105 | |
| Dec 06, 2004 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 110-106 | |
| Dec 09, 2004 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 89-87 | |
| Dec 11, 2004 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 98-84 | |
| Dec 13, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 134-127 | |
| Dec 15, 2004 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 100-99 | |
| Dec 17, 2004 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 114-106 | |
| Dec 18, 2004 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-107 | |
| Dec 21, 2004 | @ Miami Heat | L 108-100 | |
| Dec 22, 2004 | vs. New York Knicks | W 114-109 | |
| Dec 26, 2004 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 107-90 | |
| Dec 28, 2004 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 113-94 | |
| Dec 29, 2004 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 117-109 | |
| Dec 31, 2004 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 108-103 | |
| Jan 02, 2005 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-88 | |
| Jan 03, 2005 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 108-90 | |
| Jan 05, 2005 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 84-83 | |
| Jan 07, 2005 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 110-104 | |
| Jan 08, 2005 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-91 | |
| Jan 10, 2005 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 119-101 | |
| Jan 12, 2005 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 104-93 | |
| Jan 14, 2005 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 106-94 | |
| Jan 19, 2005 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 92-83 | |
| Jan 21, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-98 | |
| Jan 22, 2005 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 100-96 | |
| Jan 25, 2005 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 97-92 | |
| Jan 26, 2005 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 100-86 | |
| Jan 28, 2005 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 128-119 | |
| Jan 29, 2005 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 101-97 | |
| Jan 31, 2005 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 97-94 | |
| Feb 02, 2005 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 110-89 | |
| Feb 04, 2005 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 112-100 | |
| Feb 06, 2005 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 103-100 | |
| Feb 08, 2005 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 121-97 | |
| Feb 09, 2005 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 94-89 | |
| Feb 11, 2005 | vs. New York Knicks | W 111-94 | |
| Feb 13, 2005 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 104-100 | |
| Feb 16, 2005 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 90-88 | |
| Feb 22, 2005 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-95 | |
| Feb 23, 2005 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 107-86 | |
| Feb 25, 2005 | @ Utah Jazz | W 109-102 | |
| Feb 27, 2005 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 120-113 | |
| Mar 02, 2005 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 104-101 | |
| Mar 04, 2005 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 104-84 | |
| Mar 06, 2005 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 99-97 | |
| Mar 09, 2005 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 95-91 | |
| Mar 11, 2005 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 115-113 | |
| Mar 13, 2005 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 105-101 | |
| Mar 14, 2005 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 119-110 | |
| Mar 16, 2005 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 110-109 | |
| Mar 18, 2005 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-92 | |
| Mar 19, 2005 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 113-100 | |
| Mar 23, 2005 | @ New York Knicks | L 107-82 | |
| Mar 25, 2005 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 94-86 | |
| Mar 26, 2005 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 105-99 | |
| Mar 30, 2005 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 112-100 | |
| Apr 01, 2005 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 116-100 | |
| Apr 03, 2005 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 97-93 | |
| Apr 05, 2005 | @ Washington Wizards | W 116-108 | |
| Apr 06, 2005 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-97 | |
| Apr 09, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-86 | |
| Apr 12, 2005 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 105-98 | |
| Apr 13, 2005 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-108 | |
| Apr 15, 2005 | vs. Miami Heat | W 101-99 | |
| Apr 17, 2005 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 103-98 | |
| Apr 19, 2005 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 100-86 | |
| Apr 20, 2005 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 102-93 |