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Doc Rivers Believes Celtics Need to Re-Establish Home Court Advantage in New Season (Video)

BOSTON — The Celtics were extremely formidable at the TD
Garden last season, when they won 24 of their 33 home games and enjoyed a
bittersweet send-off from their fans toward the end of Game 6 of the Eastern
Conference finals.

The Bucks did not much care about Boston's home record from
last season, though, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers recognized that. Shortly
before his team took the court for their home opener on Friday, Rivers said
that a new season wipes away any advantage the Celtics seemingly enjoyed a year
ago.

"I always tell our guys, why do you want home court if
you don't have a home-court advantage?" Rivers said. "So you should
establish it. I think we've done that over the years here. This is not a place
people want to come in to play, but I think each year you have to re-establish
it. I don't think you get a bye from last year. You've got to keep doing
it."

Success in the home opener does not necessarily portend good
things at home all season, though. The Celtics opened up with three wins at
home last season only to drop five of their next six at the Garden.

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