On this day in Boston Celtics history, then-future Hall of Fame big man Dominique Wilkins would move into eighth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He did so after putting up 19 points, 7 rebounds and an assist in a 126 – 115 win on the road against the Miami Heat, putting him at 25,207 overall points at the end of the contest.
While Wilkins was a short-timer with the Celtics — this being one of a mere 77 games played with the team in the 1994-95 season — he helped keep fans engaged in what was otherwise one of the toughest stretches of Boston’s history between the title runs of the 1980s and the arrival of Paul Pierce in 1998.
Even Wilkins couldn’t deal with the rebuilding Celtics for long though, skipping town to join Panathinaikos of the Greek League the following season.
It is also the date that Boston re-signed guard Kelvin Upshaw to a rest-of-season contract in 1989 after finishing a pair of 10-day contracts subbing for guard Jim Paxson, out with an injured wrist.
Upshaw had averaged 8.0 points and 5.1 assists over eight games on those 10-day contracts with the team.
“We are very pleased with his performance to date … He’s worked very hard and met our expectations,” said Celtics general manager Jan Volk at the time via UPI. “His hard work and determination really showed.”
Happy birthday Chris Corchiani! While at NC State, you became first NCAA Division I player to record 1,000 assists in a career. While with the Celtics, you were a reserve point guard on a terrible team. pic.twitter.com/2NkMPurAcA
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) March 28, 2020
Former Boston point guard Chris Corchiani was also born on this day in 1968, a product of NC State.
The Floridian guard would be drafted 36th overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, and play for several teams before signing with the Celtics in the 1993-94 NBA season.
He would average 2.3 points and 1.7 assists in his sole season with the franchise.
It is also the date of three wins for Boston since the season of their last championship in 2007-08.
The first of the trio was a 2008 112 – 92 blowout of the Charlotte Hornets at the Garden, snapping a five-game winning streak for their opponents.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists, and Kevin Garnett added 21 points and 13 boards. Point guard Rajon Rondo contributed 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
The second was a 94 – 82 win over the Utah Jazz — also at home — in 2012.
Boston moved into a tie with the Philadelphia 76ers to lead the Atlantic Division with the win, and Garnett led the team with 23 points and 10 boards.
Pierce added 20 points and 6 rebounds, and big man Brandon Bass contributed 19 points.
0 Comment for "On this day: Wilkins hits 25,000 career points; Corchiani born; Upshaw re-signed - Celtics Wire"