[2][3] After playing in Italy the previous season, former Celtics guard Brian Shaw would return to the team after a one-year absence.
However, the Celtics burst to a 29–5 start reminiscent of their title years of the 1980s, and once again established themselves as contenders,[6] holding a 35–12 record at the All-Star break.
[7] Beginning in January, Larry Bird began to miss significant playing time due to back injuries (Bird would miss 22 regular season games) and the team struggled in his absence.
[21][22] In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Celtics survived a scare from the 7th-seeded Indiana Pacers, going the full five games before winning a classic finale (in which Bird went to the locker room during the game with injury, only to return and finish with 32 points).
[23][24][25][26] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Celtics held home court advantage against the 2-time defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, but Bird missed Game 1 with injury and the Pistons took the game at Boston Garden, 86–75.