Parish Carries Celtics to Title; Heat Makes Playoffs Despite Loss

Robert Parish, the NBA’s oldest player at nearly 39, refused to let the Boston Celtics falter.

Parish had 22 points and 19 rebounds Sunday as the Celtics clinched their 14th Atlantic Division title in 20 years, beating the Miami Heat, 109-93, for their eighth consecutive victory without ailing Larry Bird. They won 15 of their last 16 games.

“It’s very satisfying winning the Atlantic Division, because of what we did, not because of what New York did,” Boston Coach Chris Ford said. “I’m proud of what our guys accomplished.”

Boston trailed the New York Knicks for nearly the entire season. The Celtics came from five games behind with eight games to play, tying the Knicks with a 51-31 record and winning the title because they won the season series with New York. 3-2.

The Celtics, who have won a record 16 NBA championships, will play Indiana, in the first round of the playoffs. Bird is expected to return despite back problems.

Boston held off late challenges by the Heat, who made the playoffs anyway when Cleveland eliminated Atlanta, 112-108, Sunday night. Miami will play the defending champion Chicago Bulls during the first round.