Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls
Celtics surge to 51–31, reach NBA Finals after 12-year drought.
The Boston Celtics faced the Chicago Bulls during the 2021–22 season. The Celtics finished the regular season with a 51–31 record, securing the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference and winning the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2017.
Quick Facts
- Primary era of conflict
- 1980s–1990s
- Key celtics figures
- Larry Bird
- Kevin McHale
- Robert Parish
- Key bulls figures
- Michael Jordan
- Scottie Pippen
- Dennis Rodman
- Rivalry nature
- Eastern Conference Supremacy
- Status
- Historic
Lore & Background
The Celtics began the season with an 18–21 record but turned things around in January, finishing 51–31. They swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs, defeated the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in the second round, and beat the Miami Heat in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Reader's Guide
The Celtics' regular season included a notable turnaround after a slow start. Key players included Jayson Tatum, who was named to the All-NBA First Team and Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and Marcus Smart, who was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Robert Williams III also made the NBA All-Defensive Team.
Did You Know?
- The Celtics made 22 three-pointers in Game 7 of the second round against the Milwaukee Bucks, a record for the most ever in a Game 7.
- The Celtics' playoff streak of consecutive appearances since 2015 became the longest active streak after the Portland Trail Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
- Ime Udoka was head coach for only the 2021–22 season before being suspended for violating team rules in September 2022.
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