The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team that belongs to the National Basketball Association. The Celtics play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics came into existence in 1946 as part of the Basketball Association of America. They would become a part of the NBA in 1949 after the BAA and the NBA merged.http://www.answers.com/topic/boston-Celtics

In the teams’ early years the Celtic would struggle. However, their fortunes would begin to change after Red Auerbach was hired following the 1949-1950 season. Their early teams featured names such as Bob Cousy, KC Jones, and Bill Russell. Boston won their first title in 1957, defeating the St. Louis Hawks in seven games. The Hawks would return the favor defeating the Celtics in six games in the 1958 Finals. Advancing to the Finals would be something Boston would become accustomed to. In 1959, the Celtics would sweep the Minneapolis Lakers which set began an amazing streak of eight consecutive championships; helping to Celtics to become a dynasty. No NBA team has won more than three straight titles since then.

There are many factors that could qualify as a highlight in the sport of basketball. For example, hitting the game-winning shot or a key steal or blocked shot to help preserve the victory for one’s team. However, nothing quite compares to winning a championship which cements all of the hard work a team has put in from the off-season to the game-clincher in the Finals. What makes a winning a championship even sweeter is a team being able to celebrate their victory on their home-court with the fans.

The Celtics would finish the 1983-1984 season with a league best 62-20 record and would defeat the Lakers in a hard fought seven-game series that concluded with the Celtics celebrating their victory on the famed parquet floor.http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/boston/celtics.html

After breezing through the 1985-1986 season with a record of 67-15, including 40-1 at home, the Celtics had little difficulty in the post season either. They breezed through the Chicago Bulls in three games; dispatched the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks in five games to earn their second trip to the Finals in three years. Their opponent this time would be the Houston Rockets who they would defeat in six games; giving the Celtics yet another opportunity to bask in the glory of being champions for the 16th time with their fans.http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/boston/celtics.html

One of the most memorable moments in Celtics history would have to be in the 2008 Finals. Boston had a 3-2 lead against the Lakers with the series headed back to Boston for games 6 and possibly 7. The Celtics would overwhelm Kobe Bryant and the Lakers and would put on an offensive and defensive clinic in a 131-92 victory giving the Celtics their 17th championship banner, the most of any team in NBA history.http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/boston/celtics.html