Larry Bird scored six of his 29 points in an overtime surge sparked by rookie Brian Shaw last night as the Boston Celtics opened their 43rd season with a 122-115 victory over the New York Knicks.
Shaw, a No. 1 draft pick from Cal-Santa Barbara, passed to Bird for two baskets and to Dennis Johnson and Kevin McHale for another pair as the Celtics outscored the Knicks, 15-8, in the extra session.
Bird enabled the Celtics to celebrate in Jimmy Rodgers' debut as the 10th coach in Boston history by tying the score 107-107 with two free throws with 14 seconds left in regulation.
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