1994–95 Boston Celtics season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Chris Ford |
General manager | M.L. Carr |
Arena | Boston Garden Hartford Civic Center |
Results | |
Record | 35–47 (.427) |
Place | Division: 3rd (Atlantic) Conference: 8th (Eastern) |
Playoff finish | East First Round (lost to Magic 1–3) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | WSBK-TV SportsChannel New England |
Radio | WBNW |
The 1994–95 NBA season was the 49th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. [1] This was the Celtics' first season since the 1979–80 season without long-time center Robert Parish, who left as a free agent to the Charlotte Hornets. It was also the team's final season of play at the Boston Garden (as well as splitting their schedule with Hartford Civic Center). [2] [3] [4] After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Celtics had the ninth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Eric Montross from the University of North Carolina. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Prior to the season, the Celtics signed free agent All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins (a controversial move late in Wilkins' career), [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] signed free agents Pervis Ellison, [15] [16] second-year guard David Wesley and rookie guard Greg Minor, [17] [18] and acquired Blue Edwards and Derek Strong from the Milwaukee Bucks. [19] [20]
The Celtics got off to a 7–6 start in November, but played below .500 for the remainder of the season, holding a 19–27 record at the All-Star break. [21] At midseason, Edwards was traded back to his former team, the Utah Jazz in exchange for Jay Humphries. [22] [23] [24] The Celtics won eight of their final twelve games finishing third in the Atlantic Division with a 35–47 record. [25]
Wilkins averaged 17.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, while second-year star Dino Radja averaged 17.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Dee Brown provided the team with 15.6 points and 1.4 steals per game. In addition, Sherman Douglas contributed 14.7 points and 6.9 assists per game, while Montross averaged 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, Rick Fox contributed 8.8 points per game, but only played 53 games due to ankle and foot injuries, [26] while Xavier McDaniel provided with 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Wesley contributed 7.4 points, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game in only 51 games, starting in 36 of them due to a knee injury, [27] while Ellison averaged 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and Strong provided with 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. [28]
Despite finishing twelve games under .500, the Celtics qualified for the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the Eastern Conference First Round, the team suffered a 47-point margin in a Game 1 road loss to the #1 seed Orlando Magic, 124–77, [29] [30] [31] but managed to defeat them in Game 2, 99–92 (seizing the "theoretical home court advantage" for the series). [32] [33] [34] However, the Magic defeated the Celtics at Boston Garden in both Games 3 and 4 to close out the series. [35] [36] [37] [38] The Magic would go on to reach the NBA Finals for the first time, but would lose in four straight games to the 6th-seeded, and defending champion Houston Rockets. [39] [40] [41] [42] [43]
Following the season, Wilkins and McDaniel both left to play overseas in Greece, [44] [45] [46] [47] while Strong signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, [48] Humphries was released to free agency, and head coach Chris Ford was fired. General Manager M.L. Carr explained the firing as having to do with "diminishing returns". [49] [50] [51]
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | Eric Montross | C | ![]() | North Carolina |
2 | 36 | Andrei Fetisov | SF | ![]() | Fórum Valladolid |
Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y- Orlando Magic | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | 39–2 | 18–23 | 18–10 |
x- New York Knicks | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 | 29–12 | 26–15 | 23–5 |
x- Boston Celtics | 35 | 47 | .427 | 22 | 20–21 | 15–26 | 14–14 |
Miami Heat | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 | 22–19 | 10–31 | 9–19 |
New Jersey Nets | 30 | 52 | .366 | 27 | 20–21 | 10–31 | 13–15 |
Philadelphia 76ers | 24 | 58 | .293 | 33 | 14–27 | 10–31 | 12–16 |
Washington Bullets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 | 13–28 | 8–33 | 9–19 |
# | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | c-Orlando Magic | 57 | 25 | .695 | – |
2 | y-Indiana Pacers | 52 | 30 | .634 | 5 |
3 | x-New York Knicks | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 |
4 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7 |
5 | x-Chicago Bulls | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 |
6 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 14 |
7 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 42 | 40 | .512 | 15 |
8 | x-Boston Celtics | 35 | 47 | .427 | 22 |
9 | Milwaukee Bucks | 34 | 48 | .415 | 23 |
10 | Miami Heat | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 |
11 | New Jersey Nets | 30 | 52 | .366 | 27 |
12 | Detroit Pistons | 28 | 54 | .341 | 29 |
13 | Philadelphia 76ers | 24 | 58 | .293 | 33 |
14 | Washington Bullets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 |
1994-95 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | – | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
Boston | 1–3 | – | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 0–5 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Charlotte | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 2–2 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Chicago | 4–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | – | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
Cleveland | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 3–2 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 |
Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 2–0 |
Detroit | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–5 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Golden State | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | – | 0–4 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Houston | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | – | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–5 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 2–0 |
Indiana | 4–1 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | – | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–5 | 1–4 | 0–4 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Miami | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 |
Milwaukee | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Minnesota | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–4 | 1–1 |
New Jersey | 0–4 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–4 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
New York | 2–2 | 5–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | – | 2–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
Orlando | 3–1 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | – | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 |
Philadelphia | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 1–4 | – | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–2 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 5–0 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Portland | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–5 | – | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
Sacramento | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 2–3 | – | 0–4 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | – | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 |
Seattle | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 2–0 |
Utah | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–3 | 3–1 | – | 2–0 |
Washington | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — |
1994–95 game log Total: 35–47 (home: 20–21; road: 15–26) | ||||||||||||||||||
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January: 5–9 (home: 5–5; road: 0–4)
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February: 6–6 (home: 3–2; road: 3–4)
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March: 6–11 (home: 2–5; road: 4–6)
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April: 7–4 (home: 5–1; road: 2–3)
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1994–95 schedule |
1995 playoff game log | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First round: 1–3 (home: 0–2; road: 1–1)
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1995 schedule |
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 |
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
James Blackwell † | 9 | 0 | 6.8 | .600 | .667 | .9 | .7 | .3 | .0 | 1.6 | |
Dee Brown | 79 | 69 | 35.3 | .447 | .385 | .852 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 1.4 | .6 | 15.6 |
Tony Dawson | 2 | 0 | 6.5 | .375 | .333 | 1.000 | 1.5 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 4.0 |
Sherman Douglas | 65 | 43 | 31.5 | .475 | .244 | .689 | 2.6 | 6.9 | 1.2 | .0 | 14.7 |
Acie Earl | 30 | 3 | 6.9 | .382 | .483 | 1.5 | .1 | .2 | .3 | 2.2 | |
Blue Edwards † | 31 | 7 | 16.4 | .426 | .256 | .896 | 2.1 | 1.5 | .6 | .3 | 7.1 |
Pervis Ellison | 55 | 11 | 19.7 | .507 | .000 | .717 | 5.6 | .6 | .4 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
Rick Fox | 53 | 7 | 19.6 | .481 | .413 | .772 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 1.0 | .4 | 8.8 |
Tony Harris | 3 | 0 | 6.0 | .375 | .000 | .889 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 4.7 |
Jay Humphries † | 6 | 0 | 8.7 | .444 | .000 | .500 | .5 | 1.7 | .3 | .0 | 1.7 |
Xavier McDaniel | 68 | 15 | 21.0 | .451 | .286 | .712 | 4.4 | 1.6 | .4 | .3 | 8.6 |
Greg Minor | 63 | 8 | 15.0 | .515 | .167 | .833 | 2.2 | 1.0 | .5 | .3 | 6.0 |
Eric Montross | 78 | 75 | 29.7 | .534 | .000 | .635 | 7.3 | .5 | .4 | .8 | 10.0 |
Dino Rađa | 66 | 48 | 32.5 | .490 | .000 | .759 | 8.7 | 1.7 | .9 | 1.3 | 17.2 |
Derek Strong | 70 | 24 | 19.2 | .453 | .286 | .820 | 5.4 | .6 | .3 | .2 | 6.3 |
David Wesley | 51 | 36 | 27.1 | .409 | .429 | .755 | 2.3 | 5.2 | 1.6 | .2 | 7.4 |
Dominique Wilkins | 77 | 64 | 31.5 | .424 | .388 | .782 | 5.2 | 2.2 | .8 | .2 | 17.8 |
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dee Brown | 4 | 4 | 43.0 | .419 | .346 | .875 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 1.3 | .3 | 18.8 |
Sherman Douglas | 4 | 4 | 42.0 | .353 | .333 | .727 | 5.0 | 8.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 15.0 |
Acie Earl | 1 | 0 | 10.0 | .333 | .000 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | |
Pervis Ellison | 4 | 0 | 17.0 | .579 | 1.000 | 4.3 | .5 | .5 | 1.3 | 6.0 | |
Xavier McDaniel | 4 | 0 | 14.8 | .294 | .000 | .750 | 1.5 | 1.3 | .0 | .0 | 3.3 |
Greg Minor | 4 | 0 | 9.3 | .385 | 1.000 | .3 | .5 | .3 | .3 | 2.8 | |
Eric Montross | 4 | 4 | 15.5 | .455 | .500 | 2.3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 3.3 | |
Dino Rađa | 4 | 3 | 38.3 | .400 | .714 | 7.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 15.0 | |
Derek Strong | 4 | 1 | 20.3 | .333 | .500 | 6.0 | .8 | .8 | .3 | 2.8 | |
Dominique Wilkins | 4 | 4 | 37.5 | .426 | .471 | .889 | 10.8 | 2.0 | .5 | .8 | 19.0 |
Player | Award |
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Eric Montross | NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team |
The Celtics were involved in the following transactions during the 1994–95 season.
June 29, 1994 | To Boston Celtics Blue Edwards Derek Strong | To Milwaukee Bucks Ed Pinckney Andrei Fetisov |
February 3, 1995 | To Boston Celtics Jay Humphries 1995 second-round pick | To Utah Jazz Blue Edwards |
Additions
| Subtractions
|
Player Transactions Citation: [52]
The 1994–95 NBA season was the Magic's 6th season in the National Basketball Association. After building through the draft in previous years, the Magic made themselves even stronger by signing free agents Horace Grant, who won three championships with the Chicago Bulls, and Brian Shaw during the off-season. The Magic got off to a fast start winning 22 of their first 27 games, then later holding a 37–10 record at the All-Star break. Despite losing seven of their final eleven games in April, the Magic won the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record. They also finished with a 39–2 home record, tied for second best in NBA history.
The 1991–92 NBA season was the 22nd season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. During the off-season, the Cavaliers signed free agent John Battle, then later on re-signed former Cavs forward Mike Sanders in March after being released by the Indiana Pacers. After two straight seasons of injuries, the Cavaliers would finally play the entire season without any significant loss of manpower. After a 13–9 start to the season, the team posted an 11-game winning streak, and held a 31–14 record at the All-Star break. The Cavaliers finished the season 2nd in the Central Division with a 57–25 record, and tying the franchise high set in the 1988–89 season. On December 17, 1991, the Cavaliers set an NBA record by winning with the second largest margin of victory of any game defeating the Miami Heat at home, 148–80.
The 1993–94 NBA season was the Pacers' 18th season in the National Basketball Association, and 27th season as a franchise. The Pacers would undergo several changes as the club hired Larry Brown as head coach, acquired Derrick McKey from the Seattle SuperSonics, and signed free agent Haywoode Workman in the off-season. In December, the team signed free agent Byron Scott, who won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. The Pacers got off to a rough start losing six of their first seven games, then later lost five straight in December leading to a 10–16 start. However, the team posted a 7-game winning streak between January and February, holding a 23–23 record at the All-Star break, and would play .500 ball until April. By winning their final eight games of the season, the Pacers were able to grab the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference and close out the season with a 47–35 record, fourth in the Central Division.
The 1992–93 NBA season was the fifth season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. In the 1992 NBA draft, the Hornets selected Alonzo Mourning out of Georgetown University with the second overall pick. The team also signed free agent David Wingate during the first month of the regular season, then later on traded J.R. Reid to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Sidney Green in December, and released Tom Hammonds to free agency as he later on signed with the Denver Nuggets. With the addition of Mourning, along with second-year star Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues, the Hornets struggled losing four of their first six games, but then went on a five-game winning streak afterwards, held a 26–23 record at the All-Star break, and won 9 of their final 12 games, finishing their season third in the Central Division with a 44–38 record, and qualified for their first ever playoff appearance.
The 1991–92 NBA season was the 46th season of the National Basketball Association in New York City. In the off-season, the Knicks hired Pat Riley as their new head coach; Riley previously coached the Los Angeles Lakers two years ago. The team also acquired Xavier McDaniel from the Phoenix Suns, signed free agent Anthony Mason, and selected point guard Greg Anthony out of UNLV with the 12th overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft. Under Riley, the Knicks showed improvement as they held a 30–16 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Brian Quinnett to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for James Donaldson. The Knicks finished second in the Atlantic Division with a 51–31 record.
The 1993–94 NBA season was the 48th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Tragedy struck the team prior to the season when star guard, and team captain Reggie Lewis died of cardiac arrest during practice at the age of 27 on July 27, 1993; Lewis previously collapsed during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Charlotte Hornets in the 1993 NBA Playoffs. Croatian rookie forward Dino Radja, who was drafted by the Celtics in the 1989 NBA draft, would finally make his debut in the NBA. The Celtics started strong with a 6–2 start to the season, and then played mostly mediocre basketball the rest of the season, hovering at around .500 until right before Christmas when they went on a 7-game losing streak. The Celtics had a 7-game winning streak in January, and held a 20–27 record at the All-Star break, but also had a winless month in February, where they suffered a 13-game losing streak which they never recovered from, as they finished fifth in the Atlantic Division with a disappointing 32–50 record.
The 1992–93 NBA season was the 47th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. This marked the first season since the 1978–79 season that Hall of Fame player Larry Bird was not on the team. This was also the final season for long-time Celtics All-Star forward Kevin McHale, as he would retire the following off-season. During the off-season, the Celtics signed free agent Xavier McDaniel, then later on in December, traded top draft pick Jon Barry to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Alaa Abdelnaby, and also re-signed free agent John Bagley, who played for the team the previous season, but was not re-signed during the off-season.
The 1991–92 NBA season was the 46th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. This marked the thirteenth and final NBA season for All-Star forward, and Celtics legend Larry Bird, who would retire after the season. Bird missed nearly half of the season due to a nagging back injury, only playing just 45 games. Midway through the season in January, the Celtics traded Brian Shaw to the Miami Heat in exchange for Sherman Douglas. The Celtics trailed the New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division for the first half of the season, holding a 28–18 record at the All-Star break. But a furious rally at the end of the season helped the Celtics finish with a 51–31 record, and claim the division title. The Celtics also qualified for the playoffs for the thirteenth consecutive season.
The 1990–91 NBA season was the 45th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Celtics hired Chris Ford as their new head coach. After playing in Italy the previous season, former Celtics guard Brian Shaw would return to the team after a one-year absence. After failing to advance past the first round in the two previous seasons, it appeared going into the 1990–91 season that the Celtics were fading as NBA title contenders. However, the Celtics burst to a 29–5 start reminiscent of their title years of the 1980s, and once again established themselves as contenders, holding a 35–12 record at the All-Star break.
The 2000–01 NBA season was the 55th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Celtics acquired Bryant Stith from the Denver Nuggets, and signed free agents Randy Brown, Chris Carr, and rookie center Mark Blount. Prior to the start of the season, the Celtics were nearly hit with tragedy when Paul Pierce was stabbed 11 times in the face, neck and back, and had a bottle smashed over his head, and was attacked by three men at the Buzz Club, a late night dance club in the Boston Theater District on September 25, 2000; Tony Battie, Pierce's Celtic teammate, along with Battie's brother, saved him by rushing him to a nearby hospital, where Pierce had to undergo lung surgery to repair the damage. Nevertheless, Pierce was the only Celtic to start all 82 games during the 2000–01 season.
The 1998–99 NBA season was the 53rd season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled.
The 1997–98 NBA season was the 52nd season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. In the 1997 NBA draft, the Celtics selected Chauncey Billups from the University of Colorado with the third overall pick, and selected Ron Mercer from the University of Kentucky with the sixth overall pick. Despite finishing with the NBA's second worst record in 1996–97, the Celtics were back in the headlines after hiring University of Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino as their new coach. In the off-season, the team signed free agent Chris Mills, but then sent him to the New York Knicks in exchange for second-year forward Walter McCarty in October, and also signed second-year center Travis Knight, Andrew DeClercq, Bruce Bowen and Tyus Edney.
The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. A new era began for the Celtics as they moved into their current home, a state of the art new arena then known as the Fleet Center. In addition, this also ended their practice of playing occasional home games at the Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The Celtics had the fourteenth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected Eric Williams out of Providence College. There was much speculation during the previous off-season over who would coach the team after the firing of Chris Ford, with candidates that included former Celtics coaches Dave Cowens and K. C. Jones, and even former Celtic player Paul Silas. Ultimately, General Manager M. L. Carr decided to hire himself as the team's new head coach. The Celtics also signed free agent and former Boston College star Dana Barros, who won the Most Improved Player award the previous season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 1994–95 NBA season was the Hawks' 46th season in the National Basketball Association, and 27th season in Atlanta. This was the team's first season since 1981–82 without All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, as he signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics in the off-season. During the off-season, the Hawks acquired Ken Norman from the Milwaukee Bucks, and Tyrone Corbin from the Utah Jazz. Early into the season, they traded Kevin Willis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Steve Smith and Grant Long after the first two games.
The 1993–94 NBA season was the Clippers' 24th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 10th season in Los Angeles. The Clippers had the thirteenth overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft, and selected Terry Dehere out of Seton Hall University. In the off-season, the team signed free agent Mark Aguirre, who won two championships with the Detroit Pistons from 1989 to 1990. Under new head coach Bob Weiss, the Clippers played slightly under .500 with an 11–14 start, but then struggled posting a 7-game losing streak between December and January, as Stanley Roberts only played just 14 games due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. The team held a 16–29 record at the All-Star break.
The 1991–92 NBA season was the Pacers' 16th season in the National Basketball Association, and 25th season as a franchise. The Pacers struggled early into the season losing 9 of their first 13 games. After ten games, the team released Mike Sanders to free agency; Sanders would later on re-sign with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers continued to struggle with a 15–28 record near the end of January, and held a 19–29 record at the All-Star break. However, they won 25 of their final 39 games, finishing the season fourth in the Central Division with a mediocre 40–42 record.
The 1994–95 NBA season was the Jazz's 21st season in the National Basketball Association, and 16th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the off-season, the Jazz signed free agent Antoine Carr, and acquired Adam Keefe from the Atlanta Hawks. The Jazz struggled losing four of their first six games, but then won seven of their next eight games, then won eight straight games in December. The team posted a 14–1 record in January, which included a 14-game winning streak which ended in early February, as the Jazz held a 35–13 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Jay Humphries to the Boston Celtics in exchange for former Jazz guard Blue Edwards. The Jazz posted a nine-game winning streak between February and March, then won their final seven games of the season, finishing second in the Midwest Division with a 60–22 record. They made their 12th consecutive trip to the playoffs.
The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Nuggets' 24th season in the National Basketball Association, and 33rd season as a franchise. It was also their first season playing at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets had the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, and selected James Posey out of Xavier University. During the off-season, the team acquired Ron Mercer and Popeye Jones from the Boston Celtics, and signed free agent George McCloud. With Dan Issel back as head coach, the Nuggets had a solid nucleus of second-year star Raef LaFrentz, Antonio McDyess and Nick Van Exel with a 17–15 record to start the season. However, the Nuggets would struggle and slip below .500, holding a 21–27 record at the All-Star break.
The 1994–95 NBA season was the 76ers 46th season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd season in Philadelphia. The 76ers had the sixth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Sharone Wright out of Clemson University. During the off-season, the team signed free agents Scott Williams, Jeff Grayer, then signed Willie Burton during the first month of the regular season. Under new head coach John Lucas, the Sixers struggled losing six of their first seven games. After a 10–16 start to the season, they went on a nine-game losing streak between December and January, as Jeff Malone only played just 19 games due to a sprained ankle, averaging 18.4 points per game. After holding a 14–34 record at the All-Star break, the Sixers posted an eight-game losing streak in March, and finished sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 24–58 record.
The 1993–94 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 27th season in the National Basketball Association, and 18th season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. During the off-season, the Nets signed free agents Kevin Edwards, Armen Gilliam, and undrafted rookie guard David Wesley, and acquired Benoit Benjamin from the Los Angeles Lakers. After the tragic death of star guard Dražen Petrović, who died in a car accident during the off-season on June 7, 1993; Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson would both step it up, having All-Star seasons being selected for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game. The Nets got off to a rough start losing 10 of their first 14 games, as Chris Morris only played just 50 games due to knee and thumb injuries. In December, the team traded Rumeal Robinson to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Johnny Newman. However, after holding a 22–24 at the All-Star break, the Nets would win 8 of their final 11 games finishing third in the Atlantic Division with a 45–37 record.