# 2008–09 Boston Celtics season

The 2008–09 Boston Celtics season was the 63rd season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They started the season as the defending NBA champions, where they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, winning their seventeenth NBA championship, as well as marking their ninth series victory over the Lakers in the NBA Finals. The Celtics started the season 27–2, which surpassed a mark set by the 1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers for the best two-loss start in NBA history. This run also included a 19-game winning streak, which improved a Celtics franchise record set in 1981–82. However, the Celtics lost seven out of the following nine games, and eventually finished with a 62–20 record. The Celtics had the fifth best team offensive rating in the NBA.
The team's star power forward Kevin Garnett suffered a season-ending injury in February. Despite not having Garnett, they defeated the Chicago Bulls in the first round in seven games, However, they lost to the Orlando Magic in the conference semifinals in seven games, eliminating them from the playoffs. The Magic would go on to the NBA Finals, their second NBA Finals appearance, only to lose to last year's Finals runner-up, the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
Until 2024, this was the last time that the Celtics won 60 or more games.

## Key dates

* June 26: The 2008 NBA draft took place in New York City.
* July 1: The free agency period started.
* October 8: The pre-season started with a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
* October 28: The regular season started with a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which Boston won 90–85.
* December 11: Recorded the best season start in franchise history, starting at 21–2.
* December 23: Recorded the longest winning streak in franchise history at 19, and the best season start in NBA history with 27–2.

## Summary
### NBA Draft 2008

On June 26, the Celtics selected shooting guard J. R. Giddens with the 30th and center Semih Erden with the 60th overall picks in the 2008 NBA draft, and traded cash considerations in exchange for small forward Bill Walker, who had been selected by the Washington Wizards with the 47th overall pick. Giddens had worked out with the Celtics before the draft for three days, and received praises from head coach Doc Rivers, who thought he could fight for minutes on the team right away. He was already familiar with future teammates Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins, who were his teammates at the 2003 McDonald's High School All-American Game. Walker was considered a lottery pick, but suffered the third knee injury in his career during a workout at the Golden State Warriors facility on June 15. However, he remained in the draft despite the injury, and was expected to have minor surgery in July that would keep him out for three to four weeks. Erden was not expected to join the roster this season, and was seen by general manager Danny Ainge as their first-round pick in 2009.

### Free agency

The Celtics headed into the off-season with several free agents and tried to gather a group to repeat as the NBA Champions, with a key decision on unrestricted free agent James Posey, who, in a widely anticipated move, opted out of the second and final year of his contract with the Celtics on June 30, but stated that he wanted to return to the Celtics on a new contract. P.J. Brown, who made key contributions during the 2008 NBA Playoffs, was leaning towards retirement, and the status of restricted free agent Tony Allen remained uncertain after the first-round selection of J. R. Giddens, who was seen as a possible replacement. Later it was revealed that the Celtics did not extend a qualifying offer to Allen, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Celtics also hoped to keep unrestricted free agent Eddie House, and decisions were to be made on unrestricted free agents Sam Cassell and Scot Pollard.
The Celtics were interested in small forward Corey Maggette as a replacement for James Posey, but Maggette signed with the Golden State Warriors on a much higher contract than the Celtics were able to offer, which added to the urgency to re-sign Posey. On July 11, the Celtics addressed their need for a backup center by signing Patrick O'Bryant to a 2-year, $3 million contract, after he had an impressive workout with the team a week earlier, and consequently ruled out the return of Scot Pollard and P.J. Brown. Eventually, James Posey signed with the New Orleans Hornets on July 16, since the Celtics were reluctant to offer him more than a three-year deal at the mid-level exception. Compensating for the loss of Posey, the Celtics re-signed Tony Allen to a 2-year, $5 million contract, and were also able to re-sign Eddie House to a 2-year, $5.6 million contract, using the mid-level exception only on House.
On August 22, the Celtics signed small forward Darius Miles, who was forced to sit out the previous two seasons due to microfracture surgery on his right knee and thought to have a career-ending injury, to a non-guaranteed contract, and expected him to fight for a roster spot at training camp. He worked out twice with the team and impressed with his health and attitude, but would sit out the first ten games of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy if he made the roster. This signing ultimately put the roster up to the league maximum of 15 players, of which 14 players had fully guaranteed contracts. On September 29, the first day of training camp, Sam Cassell re-signed with the team, which put the roster one player over the maximum. On October 20, Miles was waived, a move which finalized the roster for the start of the season. On February 27, Stephon Marbury signed with the Celtics. In the following season he was offered a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum for $1.3 million but declined the contract.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Team |
| 1 | 30 | J. R. Giddens | SG | United States | New Mexico |
| 2 | 60 | Semih Erden | C | Turkey | Fenerbahçe Ülker |

## Regular season
### Standings

| Atlantic Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Boston Celtics | 62 | 20 | .756 | — | 35–6 | 27–14 | 15–1 |
| x-Philadelphia 76ers | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 | 24–17 | 17–24 | 6–10 |
| New Jersey Nets | 34 | 48 | .415 | 28 | 19–22 | 15–26 | 8–8 |
| Toronto Raptors | 33 | 49 | .402 | 29 | 18–23 | 15–26 | 6–10 |
| New York Knicks | 32 | 50 | .390 | 30 | 20–21 | 12–29 | 5–11 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Cleveland Cavaliers | 66 | 16 | .805 | — |
| 2 | y-Boston Celtics | 62 | 20 | .756 | 4 |
| 3 | y-Orlando Magic | 59 | 23 | .720 | 7 |
| 4 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 47 | 35 | .573 | 19 |
| 5 | x-Miami Heat | 43 | 39 | .524 | 23 |
| 6 | x-Philadelphia 76ers | 41 | 41 | .500 | 25 |
| 7 | x-Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | .500 | 25 |
| 8 | x-Detroit Pistons | 39 | 43 | .476 | 27 |
| 9 | Indiana Pacers | 36 | 46 | .439 | 30 |
| 10 | Charlotte Bobcats | 35 | 47 | .427 | 31 |
| 11 | New Jersey Nets | 34 | 48 | .415 | 32 |
| 12 | Milwaukee Bucks | 34 | 48 | .415 | 32 |
| 13 | Toronto Raptors | 33 | 49 | .402 | 33 |
| 14 | New York Knicks | 32 | 50 | .390 | 34 |
| 15 | Washington Wizards | 19 | 63 | .232 | 47 |

### Record vs. opponents

2008-09 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Boston | 4–0 | — | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 |
| Charlotte | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 2–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Chicago | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Cleveland | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Dallas | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Detroit | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | – | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | — | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | — | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 |
| Memphis | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–4 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Milwaukee | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | — | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 |
| Minnesota | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0—4 | 3—0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| New Jersey | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| New Orleans | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 2–0 |
| New York | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Oklahoma City | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Orlando | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | – | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Philadelphia | 2–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0—3 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2—2 | – | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | – | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 |
| San Antonio | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | – | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 |
| Toronto | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–3 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 |
| Washington | 0–4 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | — |

### Game log

2008–09 game log Total: 62–20 (home: 35–6; road: 27–14) :
October: 2–0 (home: 2–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 28
Cleveland
W 90–85
Paul Pierce (27)
Kendrick Perkins (8)
Rajon Rondo (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
1–0
2
October 31
Chicago
W 96–80
Kevin Garnett (18)
Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins (10)
Rajon Rondo (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
2–0 :
November: 14–2 (home: 7–1; road: 7–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
3
November 1
@ Indiana
L 79–95
Kevin Garnett (18)
Kevin Garnett (14)
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo (4)
Conseco Fieldhouse 18,165
2–1
4
November 4
@ Houston
W 103–99
Ray Allen (29)
Kevin Garnett (11)
Rajon Rondo (7)
Toyota Center 18,291
3–1
5
November 5
@ Oklahoma City
W 96–83
Paul Pierce (20)
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins (9)
Rajon Rondo (11)
Ford Center 19,136
4–1
6
November 7
Milwaukee
W 101–89
Paul Pierce (18)
Paul Pierce (10)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
5–1
7
November 9
@ Detroit
W 88–76
Tony Allen (23)
Kevin Garnett (12)
Rajon Rondo (5)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
6–1
8
November 10
Toronto
W 94–87
Paul Pierce (36)
Kevin Garnett (10)
Paul Pierce (4)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
7–1
9
November 12
Atlanta
W 103–102
Paul Pierce (34)
Kevin Garnett (12)
Rajon Rondo (10)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
8–1
10
November 14
Denver
L 85–94
Ray Allen (26)
Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins (9)
Rajon Rondo (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
8–2
11
November 15
@ Milwaukee
W 102–97 (OT)
Paul Pierce (28)
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett (7)
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo (6)
Bradley Center 17,952
9–2
12
November 18
New York
W 110–101
Paul Pierce (22)
Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo (8)
Rajon Rondo (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
10–2
13
November 20
Detroit
W 98–80
Rajon Rondo (18)
Kendrick Perkins (10)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
11–2
14
November 21
@ Minnesota
W 95–78
Kevin Garnett (17)
Paul Pierce, Leon Powe (11)
Ray Allen (6)
Target Center 19,107
12–2
15
November 23
@ Toronto
W 118–103
Ray Allen (21)
Kendrick Perkins (8)
Kevin Garnett (5)
Air Canada Centre 19,800
13–2
16
November 26
Golden State
W 119–111
Ray Allen (25)
Kevin Garnett (13)
Rajon Rondo (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
14–2
17
November 28
Philadelphia
W 102–78
Ray Allen (23)
Kendrick Perkins (7)
Rajon Rondo (12)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
15–2
18
November 29
@ Charlotte
W 89–84
Paul Pierce (19)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Rajon Rondo (9)
Time Warner Cable Arena 19,177
16–2 :
December: 12–3 (home: 8–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
19
December 1
Orlando
W 107–88
Paul Pierce (24)
Kendrick Perkins (13)
Rajon Rondo (12)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
17–2
20
December 3
Indiana
W 114–96
Ray Allen (31)
Kevin Garnett (14)
Rajon Rondo (17)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
18–2
21
December 5
Portland
W 93–78
Ray Allen (19)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Rajon Rondo (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
19–2
22
December 7
@ Indiana
W 122–117 (OT)
Ray Allen (35)
Kevin Garnett (20)
Paul Pierce (8)
Conseco Fieldhouse 16,102
20–2
23
December 11
@ Washington
W 122–88
Ray Allen, Paul Pierce (22)
Kevin Garnett (12)
Paul Pierce (8)
Verizon Center 20,173
21–2
24
December 12
New Orleans
W 94–82
Paul Pierce (28)
Kendrick Perkins (13)
Paul Pierce (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
22–2
25
December 15
Utah
W 100–91
Rajon Rondo (25)
Kendrick Perkins (14)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
23–2
26
December 17
@ Atlanta
W 88–85
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce (18)
Kendrick Perkins (10)
Rajon Rondo (7)
Philips Arena 18,729
24–2
27
December 19
Chicago
W 126–108
Ray Allen (27)
Kendrick Perkins (8)
Rajon Rondo (15)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
25–2
28
December 21
New York
W 124–105
Rajon Rondo (26)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Kevin Garnett (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
26–2
29
December 23
Philadelphia
W 110–91
Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo (18)
Kendrick Perkins (11)
Paul Pierce (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
27–2
30
December 25
@ L. A. Lakers
L 83–92
Kevin Garnett (22)
Paul Pierce (10)
Rajon Rondo (12)
Staples Center 18,997
27–3
31
December 26
@ Golden State
L 89–99
Paul Pierce (21)
Rajon Rondo (10)
Rajon Rondo (9)
Oracle Arena 19,596
27–4
32
December 28
@ Sacramento
W 108–63
Kevin Garnett (21)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Rajon Rondo (6)
ARCO Arena 16,029
28–4
33
December 30
@ Portland
L 86–91
Paul Pierce (28)
Kevin Garnett (8)
Rajon Rondo (7)
Rose Garden 20,651
28–5 :
January: 11–4 (home: 6–1; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
34
January 2
Washington
W 108–83
Paul Pierce (26)
Kendrick Perkins (10)
Rajon Rondo (14)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
29–5
35
January 4
@ New York
L 88–100
Paul Pierce (31)
Kevin Garnett (9)
Paul Pierce (4)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
29–6
36
January 6
@ Charlotte
L 106–114 (OT)
Paul Pierce (28)
Kevin Garnett (13)
Rajon Rondo (6)
Time Warner Cable Arena 17,112
29–7
37
January 7
Houston
L 85–89
Paul Pierce (26)
Kevin Garnett (8)
Ray Allen (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
29–8
38
January 9
@ Cleveland
L 83–98
Kevin Garnett (18)
Kevin Garnett (15)
Rajon Rondo (13)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
29–9
39
January 11
@ Toronto
W 94–88
Ray Allen (36)
Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis (11)
Rajon Rondo (11)
Air Canada Centre 19,800
30–9
40
January 12
Toronto
W 115–109 (OT)
Paul Pierce (39)
Kevin Garnett (12)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
31–9
41
January 14
New Jersey
W 118–86
Paul Pierce (22)
Kevin Garnett (9)
Rajon Rondo (12)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
32–9
42
January 17
@ New Jersey
W 105–85
Ray Allen (25)
Kevin Garnett (10)
Rajon Rondo (14)
Izod Center 17,578
33–9
43
January 19
Phoenix
W 104–87
Rajon Rondo (23)
Glen Davis (9)
Paul Pierce (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
34–9
44
January 21
@ Miami
W 98–83
Ray Allen (27)
Kevin Garnett (13)
Rajon Rondo (10)
American Airlines Arena 19,600
35–9
45
January 22
@ Orlando
W 90–80
Paul Pierce (27)
Paul Pierce (10)
Paul Pierce (4)
Amway Arena 17,461
36–9
46
January 25
Dallas
W 124–100
Eddie House, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett (23)
Rajon Rondo (7)
Rajon Rondo (14)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
37–9
47
January 28
Sacramento
W 119–100
Eddie House (28)
Tony Allen, Kevin Garnett (8)
Rajon Rondo (9)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
38–9
48
January 30
@ Detroit
W 86–78
Kevin Garnett (22)
Kevin Garnett (9)
Rajon Rondo (12)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
39–9 :
February: 8–4 (home: 2–2; road: 6–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
49
February 1
Minnesota
W 109–101
Paul Pierce (36)
Kendrick Perkins (11)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
40–9
50
February 3
@ Philadelphia
W 100–99
Paul Pierce (29)
Glen Davis (11)
Rajon Rondo (8)
Wachovia Center 16,831
41–9
51
February 5
L. A. Lakers
L 109–110 (OT)
Ray Allen (22)
Kendrick Perkins (9)
Rajon Rondo (12)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
41–10
52
February 6
@ New York
W 110–100
Paul Pierce (26)
Kevin Garnett (11)
Rajon Rondo (7)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
42–10
53
February 8
San Antonio
L 99–105
Kevin Garnett (26)
Kevin Garnett (12)
Rajon Rondo (16)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
42–11
54
February 11
@ New Orleans
W 89–77
Paul Pierce (30)
Kevin Garnett (10)
Rajon Rondo (11)
New Orleans Arena 18,080
43–11
55
February 12
@ Dallas
W 99–92
Paul Pierce (31)
Rajon Rondo (15)
Rajon Rondo (14)
American Airlines Center 20,285
44–11
All-Star Break
56
February 19
@ Utah
L 85–90
Paul Pierce (20)
Kendrick Perkins (11)
Rajon Rondo (7)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
44–12
57
February 22
@ Phoenix
W 128–108
Rajon Rondo (32)
Eddie House, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe (6)
Rajon Rondo (10)
US Airways Center 18,422
45–12
58
February 23
@ Denver
W 114–76
Ray Allen (26)
Rajon Rondo (8)
Rajon Rondo (8)
Pepsi Center 19,784
46–12
59
February 25
@ L. A. Clippers
L 91–93
Paul Pierce (20)
Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe (9)
Ray Allen (6)
Staples Center 18,609
46–13
60
February 27
Indiana
W 104–99
Ray Allen (30)
Kendrick Perkins (11)
Rajon Rondo (17)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
47–13 :
March: 9–6 (home: 5–2; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
61
March 1
Detroit
L 95–105
Paul Pierce (26)
Glen Davis, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins (6)
Rajon Rondo (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
47–14
62
March 4
@ New Jersey
W 115–111
Paul Pierce (31)
Kendrick Perkins (13)
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo (5)
Izod Center 15,791
48–14
63
March 6
Cleveland
W 105–94
Paul Pierce (29)
Leon Powe (11)
Rajon Rondo (10)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
49–14
64
March 8
Orlando
L 79–86
Ray Allen (32)
Ray Allen (9)
Paul Pierce (3)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
49–15
65
March 11
@ Miami
L 99–107
Ray Allen (27)
Leon Powe (13)
Stephon Marbury (4)
American Airlines Arena 19,600
49–16
66
March 13
Memphis
W 102–92
Leon Powe (30)
Leon Powe (11)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
50–16
67
March 15
@ Milwaukee
L 77–86
Kendrick Perkins (26)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Rajon Rondo (8)
Bradley Center 18,134
50–17
68
March 17
@ Chicago
L 121–127
Paul Pierce (37)
Kendrick Perkins, Mikki Moore (10)
Rajon Rondo (10)
United Center 22,107
50–18
69
March 18
Miami
W 112–108 (OT)
Paul Pierce (36)
Paul Pierce (11)
Rajon Rondo (10)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
51–18
70
March 20
@ San Antonio
W 80–77
Ray Allen (19)
Paul Pierce (12)
Rajon Rondo (12)
AT&T Center 18,797
52–18
71
March 21
@ Memphis
W 105–87
Glen Davis (24)
Rajon Rondo (7)
Rajon Rondo (10)
FedExForum 18,119
53–18
72
March 23
L. A. Clippers
W 90–77
Ray Allen (20)
Kendrick Perkins (13)
Rajon Rondo (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
54–18
73
March 25
@ Orlando
L 82–84
Paul Pierce (26)
Kendrick Perkins (11)
Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo (5)
Amway Arena 17,461
54–19
74
March 27
@ Atlanta
W 99–93
Ray Allen (22)
Glen Davis (12)
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo (5)
Philips Arena 20,054
55–19
75
March 29
Oklahoma City
W 103–84
Paul Pierce (27)
Mikki Moore (11)
Rajon Rondo (12)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
56–19 :
April: 6–1 (home: 5–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
76
April 1
Charlotte
W 111–109 (2OT)
Paul Pierce (32)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Rajon Rondo (9)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
57–19
77
April 3
Atlanta
W 104–92
Paul Pierce (21)
Kendrick Perkins (10)
Rajon Rondo (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
58–19
78
April 8
New Jersey
W 106–104
Rajon Rondo (31)
Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Mikki Moore (9)
Rajon Rondo, Stephon Marbury (5)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
59–19
79
April 10
Miami
W 105–98
Paul Pierce (28)
Rajon Rondo (10)
Rajon Rondo (12)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
60–19
80
April 12
@ Cleveland
L 76–107
Paul Pierce (14)
Kendrick Perkins (6)
Rajon Rondo (6)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
60–20
81
April 14
@ Philadelphia
W 100–98
Paul Pierce (31)
Kendrick Perkins (12)
Tony Allen, Stephon Marbury (5)
Wachovia Center 17,752
61–20
82
April 15
Washington
W 115–107
Glen Davis (21)
Leon Powe (13)
Stephon Marbury (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
62–20 :
2008–09 season schedule :

## Playoffs
### Game log

2009 playoff game log :
First Round: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
April 18
Chicago
L 103–105 (OT)
Rajon Rondo (29)
Rajon Rondo (9)
Rajon Rondo (7)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
0–1
2
April 20
Chicago
W 118–115
Ray Allen (30)
Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins (12)
Rajon Rondo (16)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
1–1
3
April 23
@ Chicago
W 107–86
Paul Pierce (24)
Rajon Rondo (11)
Glen Davis, Stephon Marbury (6)
United Center 23,072
2–1
4
April 26
@ Chicago
L 118–121 (2OT)
Paul Pierce (29)
Glen Davis (12)
Rajon Rondo (11)
United Center 23,067
2–2
5
April 28
Chicago
W 106–104 (OT)
Rajon Rondo (28)
Kendrick Perkins (19)
Rajon Rondo (16)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
3–2
6
April 30
@ Chicago
L 127–128 (3OT)
Ray Allen (51)
Kendrick Perkins (13)
Rajon Rondo (19)
United Center 23,430
3–3
7
May 2
Chicago
W 109–99
Ray Allen (23)
Kendrick Perkins (13)
Rajon Rondo (11)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
4–3 :
Conference Semifinals
: 3–4 (home: 2–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
May 4
Orlando
L 90–95
Paul Pierce (23)
Kendrick Perkins (16)
Rajon Rondo (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
0–1
2
May 6
Orlando
W 112–94
Eddie House (31)
Rajon Rondo (11)
Rajon Rondo (18)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
1–1
3
May 8
@ Orlando
L 96–117
Paul Pierce (27)
Kendrick Perkins (7)
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo (6)
Amway Arena 17,461
1–2
4
May 10
@ Orlando
W 95–94
Paul Pierce (27)
Rajon Rondo (14)
Ray Allen (4)
Amway Arena 17,461
2–2
5
May 12
Orlando
W 92–88
Glen Davis (22)
Kendrick Perkins (11)
Paul Pierce (8)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
3–2
6
May 14
@ Orlando
L 75–83
Rajon Rondo (19)
Rajon Rondo (16)
Rajon Rondo (6)
Amway Arena 17,461
3–3
7
May 17
Orlando
L 82–101
Ray Allen (23)
Kendrick Perkins (15)
Rajon Rondo (10)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
3–4 :
2009 playoff schedule :

## Player statistics
### Regular season

Boston Celtics statistics :
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Ray Allen | 79 | 79 | 36.4 | .480 | .409 | .952 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 0.87 | 0.16 | 18.2 |
| Tony Allen | 46 | 2 | 19.3 | .482 | .222 | .725 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 1.17 | 0.50 | 7.8 |
| Glen Davis | 76 | 16 | 21.5 | .442 | .400 | .730 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.70 | 0.25 | 7.0 |
| Kevin Garnett | 57 | 57 | 31.1 | .531 | .250 | .841 | 8.5 | 2.5 | 1.11 | 1.19 | 15.8 |
| J. R. Giddens | 6 | 0 | 1.3 | .667 | .000 | .000 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 0.7 |
| Eddie House | 81 | 0 | 18.3 | .445 | .444 | .792 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.75 | 0.09 | 8.5 |
| Stephon Marbury | 23 | 4 | 18.0 | .342 | .240 | .462 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 0.43 | 0.13 | 3.8 |
| Mikki Moore* | 24 | 0 | 19.0 | .600 | .000 | .737 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.17 | 0.21 | 4.8 |
| Patrick O'Bryant* | 26 | 0 | 4.2 | .516 | .000 | .667 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.12 | 0.31 | 1.5 |
| Kendrick Perkins | 76 | 76 | 29.6 | .577 | .000 | .600 | 8.1 | 1.3 | 0.29 | 1.97 | 8.5 |
| Paul Pierce | 81 | 81 | 37.5 | .457 | .391 | .830 | 5.6 | 3.6 | 0.99 | 0.33 | 20.5 |
| Leon Powe | 70 | 7 | 17.5 | .524 | .000 | .689 | 4.9 | 0.7 | 0.34 | 0.54 | 7.7 |
| Gabe Pruitt | 47 | 0 | 7.8 | .307 | .292 | .810 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.32 | 0.06 | 2.0 |
| Rajon Rondo | 80 | 80 | 33.0 | .505 | .313 | .642 | 5.2 | 8.2 | 1.86 | 0.14 | 11.9 |
| Brian Scalabrine | 39 | 8 | 12.9 | .421 | .393 | .889 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.18 | 0.26 | 3.5 |
| Bill Walker | 29 | 0 | 7.4 | .621 | .000 | .696 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.21 | 0.07 | 3.0 |
*Statistics with the Boston Celtics

### Playoffs

Boston Celtics statistics :
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Ray Allen | 14 | 14 | 40.4 | .403 | .350 | .948 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 1.07 | 0.36 | 18.3 |
| Tony Allen | 10 | 0 | 6.0 | .500 | .000 | 1.000 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.20 | 0.00 | 0.9 |
| Glen Davis | 14 | 14 | 36.4 | .491 | .000 | .710 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 1.29 | 0.57 | 15.8 |
| Eddie House | 14 | 0 | 16.6 | .519 | .486 | .909 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.79 | 0.00 | 7.7 |
| Stephon Marbury | 14 | 0 | 11.9 | .303 | .250 | 1.000 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 3.7 |
| Mikki Moore | 10 | 0 | 6.6 | .500 | .000 | .833 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.20 | 0.50 | 1.5 |
| Kendrick Perkins | 14 | 14 | 36.6 | .575 | .000 | .667 | 11.6 | 1.4 | 0.43 | 2.64 | 11.9 |
| Paul Pierce | 14 | 14 | 39.7 | .430 | .333 | .842 | 5.8 | 3.1 | 1.07 | 0.36 | 21.0 |
| Leon Powe | 2 | 0 | 12.0 | .429 | .000 | .667 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.0 |
| Gabe Pruitt | 4 | 0 | 2.8 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.00 | 0.25 | 0.0 |
| Rajon Rondo | 14 | 14 | 41.2 | .417 | .250 | .657 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 2.50 | 0.21 | 16.9 |
| Brian Scalabrine | 12 | 0 | 20.5 | .423 | .448 | 1.000 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.17 | 0.42 | 5.1 |
| Bill Walker | 4 | 0 | 2.5 | .000 | .000 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.5 |

### Salaries

| Player | Salary |
| Kevin Garnett | $24,751,934 |
| Ray Allen | $18,388,430 |
| Paul Pierce | $18,077,903 |
| Kendrick Perkins | $4,578,880 |
| Brian Scalabrine | $3,206,897 |
| Eddie House | $2,650,000 |
| Tony Allen | $2,500,000 |
| Rajon Rondo | $1,315,080 |
| J.R. Giddens | $957,120 |
| Leon Powe | $797,581 |
| Glen Davis | $711,517 |
| Gabe Pruitt | $711,517 |
| Bill Walker | $542,114 |

## Awards, records and milestones
### Awards
#### Week/Month

* Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November.

#### All-Star

* Ray Allen was selected to his 9th NBA All–Star Game
* Paul Pierce was selected to his 7th NBA All–Star Game
* Kevin Garnett was selected as a starter to his 12th NBA All–Star Game

#### Season
### Records

* On February 22, Ray Allen broke the team record for consecutive free-throws made with 72, eclipsing the previous mark of 71 by Larry Bird.
* With 7 blocks against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 7, Kendrick Perkins had the most blocks in a game by a Celtics player since Kevin McHale had 8 on January 9, 1987.
* With 22 points in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors on November 10, Paul Pierce had the most points in a quarter by a Celtics player since Todd Day had 24 in 1995.
* Head coach Doc Rivers became the third coach in NBA history to win the Coach of the Month award for three straight months, joining Flip Saunders (2005–06) and Larry Brown (2002–03).
* Rajon Rondo had the first triple-double by a Celtics player since Paul Pierce accomplished it on February 2, 2005, in a win against the Indiana Pacers on December 3.
* With 19 straight wins, the Celtics recorded the longest winning streak in franchise history with a win against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 23, breaking the previous record of 18 straight wins held by the 1981–82 Celtics, and matched the fourth longest winning streak in NBA history.
* With a 27–2 season start, the Celtics were off to the best opening in franchise history and NBA history.
* The Celtics matched their 6th biggest win in franchise history with a 108–63 blowout victory over the Sacramento Kings on December 28, 2008.
* The Celtics lost four games in a row for the first time since acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
* The Celtics recorded the most points in overtime (22) in franchise history, breaking the previous record of 21 set on January 2, 1963 against the Golden State Warriors.

### Milestones

* Kevin Garnett became the youngest player (32 years, 165 days) in NBA history to reach 1,000 career games by passing Shawn Kemp (33 years, 24 days) against the Chicago Bulls on October 31.
* Paul Pierce moved up to 2nd in made free throws in Celtics history by passing Bob Cousy with a free-throw in the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors on November 10.
* Paul Pierce moved up to 4th on Boston's all-time scoring list by passing Kevin McHale with a layup in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers on December 7.
* Kevin Garnett moved up to 26th in points in NBA history by passing Walt Bellamy with a jumper in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets on January 7.
* Kevin Garnett passed 21,000 points for his career with a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors on January 12.\
* Rajon Rondo completed his first career triple-double December 3, 2008 with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 17 assists. He followed up with his second career triple-double February 12, 2009 with 19 points, 15 rebounds (career high), and 14 assists.

## Injuries and surgeries

* July 2: Kendrick Perkins underwent surgery on his left strained shoulder which he injured during the 2008 NBA Finals.
* July 2: Bill Walker underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee which he suffered during a workout at the Golden State Warriors facility prior to the 2008 NBA draft on June 15, 2008.
* July 11: Paul Pierce had an MRI on his right knee which showed no significant problem. He suffered the injury during Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals, which was later diagnosed as a sprained MCL and a bone bruise.

## Transactions
### Trades

| June 26, 2008 | To Boston CelticsThe 47th pick in the 2008 NBA draft (Bill Walker) | To Washington WizardsCash considerations |
| February 17, 2009 | To Boston CelticsConditional 2nd-round draft pick and cash considerations | To Los Angeles ClippersSam Cassell |
| February 19, 2009 | To Boston CelticsConditional 2nd-round draft pick from Sacramento | To Portland Trail BlazersPatrick O'Bryant |