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From: fredrickson@celica.DEC
Newsgroups: net.sport.hoops
Subject: McHale is back
Message-ID: <1520@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Wed, 5-Mar-86 13:08:14 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.1520
Posted: Wed Mar  5 13:08:14 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Mar-86 07:04:45 EST
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For those outside Boston crossing their fingers in hopes that there might
be a way the Celtics won't win the 1986 title, consider this:

Kevin McHale returned the lineup last week. While he was out (with Scott
Wedman starting in his place), the Celtics were a sluggish 15-3. After a 
five-minute stint in New York, McHale has posted the following field-goal
shooting numbers:

6 for 9
10 for 11, 26 points in 30 minutes vs. LA Clippers
10 for 10, 25 points in 23 minutes vs. Detroit
10 for 17, 23 points vs. Chicago

Four-game totals: 36 for 47, .766 shooting percentage

With Kevin back, Bird's minutes should come down to the 35-37 range instead
of 40-plus. Parish's minutes are already much lower than in previous years
because of Walton's presence. I mention these factors because both Bird and 
Parish were noticeably worn down during last year's finals. With a 10-game 
lead over Philly and five over the Lakers for best record, and with Bird's 
MVP all sewn up, K.C. Jones will be able to rest everyone for the playoffs,
a luxury he has not always had in the past.

And when it's over, the media can resurrect all those best-team-ever 
stories they were using on the Lakers a few months ago. 
They can use 
them for the Celtics.

Mark Fredrickson