Tommy Heinsohn makes a cameo appearance in the Sultan of Stat's offering from the Celtic bashing of the Bucks. It's only fitting after the Sultan -- in the guise of mild-mannered Dick Lipe -- spent so many years passing Tommy and Mike Gorman notes at the NBC Boston and SportsChannel announce table.

All-Star reserves...

Yeah, I'm an idiot... No idea why I typed Hardaway instead of Simons in that last note. And this after I spent almost the entire quarter thinking how what the Celtics do with Simons this trade deadline will speak volumes about the team's mindset on this year and beyond.

The Sultan of Stat checks in from a cold night with what's largely a Payton Pritchard appreciation post. Not so coincidentally, five of the six notes mention 3-pointers. Dick Lipe brings the heat from the Celtics' Friday night dethroning of the Kings. ⬇️

The Sultan of Stat checks in from a cold night with what's largely a Payton Pritchard appreciation post. Not so coincidentally, five of the six notes mention 3-pointers. Dick Lipe brings the heat from the Celtics' Friday night dethroning of the Kings. ⬇️

Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins has strong feelings about NBA's dunk contest: "To see the lack of interest from star players… it’s... it's disappointing. It can’t always be about your brand, and that’s what it is — instead of being about the people. We did it for the people.” bit.ly/46lzx7X

Legend Dominique Wilkins gets brutally honest about the state of the NBA dunk contest. ... Interesting comparison to when he and Michael Jordan ruled the sky. New from Heavy: bit.ly/46lzx7X

Legend Dominique Wilkins gets brutally honest about the state of the NBA dunk contest. ... Interesting comparison to when he and Michael Jordan ruled the sky. New from Heavy: bit.ly/46lzx7X

Props to the Sultan of Stat for making a noteage meal out of the slop the Celtics provided in their loss to Atlanta. Dick Lipe's mention of Chuck Connors is alone worth your valuable time.

Props to the Sultan of Stat for making a noteage meal out of the slop the Celtics provided in their loss to Atlanta. Dick Lipe's mention of Chuck Connors is alone worth your valuable time.

This is from a couple of weeks ago, but watching Hugo try to snap the Celtics out of their slumber against Atlanta tonight... I think I may have sold the kid short. So many right place/right time plays for someone who still gets to be 19 for another week.

What's rather funny about all this is that Bill Belichick is actually receiving more praise and affection after not being voted into the Hall of Fame than if he had been.

Portland couldn't shovel out of a 32-11 deficit after one quarter against the Celtics, despite winning each of the last three. The Sultan of Stat has the details.⬇️ I'll add a 7th note to Dick Lipe's 6-pack: Former Celts Jrue Holiday (+3) and Rob Williams (+11) were only Blazers in plus territory.

Portland couldn't shovel out of a 32-11 deficit after one quarter against the Celtics, despite winning each of the last three. The Sultan of Stat has the details.⬇️ I'll add a 7th note to Dick Lipe's 6-pack: Former Celts Jrue Holiday (+3) and Rob Williams (+11) were only Blazers in plus territory.

The Sultan of Stat goes the full 48 -- even on the second night of a back-to-back. Dick Lipe has the key details from the Celtics' last-second loss in Chicago. By the way, the Sultan worries not about the impending snow storm. His sheer brilliance melts everything in his path.❄️

While Jaylen Brown had a triple-double and Payton Pritchard had a game-high 32 points, it was rookies Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams who made some of the most critical crunch time plays in the Celtics' 2-OT win over the Nets. Of course, the Sultan of Stat, Dick Lipe, remains the crunchiest. ⬇️

While Jaylen Brown had a triple-double and Payton Pritchard had a game-high 32 points, it was rookies Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams who made some of the most critical crunch time plays in the Celtics' 2-OT win over the Nets. Of course, the Sultan of Stat, Dick Lipe, remains the crunchiest. ⬇️

And as we head into double overtime, it has become clear the officials need to step in and make this game blow into a breathalyzer.

The best way I can describe this Celtics-Nets game is... entertainingly sloppy.

The Sultan of Stat, Dick Lipe, has the noteage as Brown, Hauser and Queta led the Celtics over the Pacers. I'll add a shoutout to former Celt Quinn Buckner ('84 champ), here with Pacer TV. Big week for Bucky, who played 2 years of football at Indiana U (4 yrs of hoop; capt of undefeated '76 team).

The Sultan of Stat, Dick Lipe, has the noteage as Brown, Hauser and Queta led the Celtics over the Pacers. I'll add a shoutout to former Celt Quinn Buckner ('84 champ), here with Pacer TV. Big week for Bucky, who played 2 years of football at Indiana U (4 yrs of hoop; capt of undefeated '76 team).

Derrick M. Roberts II performed the national anthem before Celtics-Pacers tonight. It should certainly not be the last time he does so. #gethimintherotation

Are you truly confident your favorite team will make the NBA Finals? If so, you'll want to clip and save this schedule to avoid conflicts with weddings, bar mitzvahs, graduation parties, open heart surgery, etc.

The Sultan of Stat delivers his usual six-pack of noteage, but let me add one more from the Celtics' 1-point loss: It was 6 degrees in Detroit, with a feels-like temp of -11 (I checked). Yet the C's and Pistons played with an April/May warmth and intensity -- as @DickLipe does always. ⬇️

The Sultan of Stat delivers his usual six-pack of noteage, but let me add one more from the Celtics' 1-point loss: It was 6 degrees in Detroit, with a feels-like temp of -11 (I checked). Yet the C's and Pistons played with an April/May warmth and intensity -- as @DickLipe does always. ⬇️

Meanwhile, in the Athens of America: Most popular Boston Globe stories this morning... 5 on Patriots 1 on Red Sox 1 on olive oil (the culinary ingredient, not Popeye's girlfriend, Ms. Oyl) Seriously... explains why news media outlets should also invest heavily in sports coverage.

Woke up this morning to ESPN panel pinning Texans loss entirely on CJ Stroud ("31 other quarterbacks win that game"), giving no credit to NE defensive pressure. And was it Stroud's fault Pats' D held HOU to 2.2 yds per run? (Marks 14c-17yds.) Just covering their asses for poor pregame comments...

There was the strong belief among many, if not most, that New England would have serious trouble against the Texans' defense... Turns out the Patriots were lucky they weren't going against the New England defense.

The Celtics raced out to a 43-point lead in Atlanta, then relaxed and hung on for a 132-106 crushing of the Hawks... Meanwhile, the Sultan of Stat continued working tirelessly in his Math Lab to document the historic aspects of the evening. Dick Lipe emerges with the noteage ⬇️. And a cocktail 🍸.

The Celtics raced out to a 43-point lead in Atlanta, then relaxed and hung on for a 132-106 crushing of the Hawks... Meanwhile, the Sultan of Stat continued working tirelessly in his Math Lab to document the historic aspects of the evening. Dick Lipe emerges with the noteage ⬇️. And a cocktail 🍸.

Will the Celtics have more players in the NBA's 3-point contest than All-Stars on Sunday?

I appreciate the notes, too, but, more, I appreciate having a friend like Dick Lipe. He’s simply a great dude. (Also, I like that he doesn't mind me giving him the Sultan of Stat alter ego -- and that character's attendant wild life. ... Rock on, you wild man of math.)

It took a while for the Celtics to take their talents from South Beach to the arena tonight, but when they got there, Anfernee Simons put on a show worthy of the finest club. The Sultan of Stat, Dick Lipe, a star in any setting, has the notes you need to know. ⬇️

And this from the section on Anfernee Simons, who went for a season-high 39 to deliver the Celtics a come-from-behind victory over the Heat tonight. "...if the pieces align with Tatum’s health and a well-executed deal for size, Simons could be a very interesting part of springtime in Boston."

Celtics trail by as many as 19 in the first quarter in Miami. ... I wouldn't be worried that the C's spent too much time at South Beach the last couple of days. I'd be concerned they're over there NOW.

From the section on Hugo Gonzalez (@hugoglezz_): "...just wait until you see how an offense can flow through him as he gets more touches in the coming years... As the Celtics navigate the aprons, Hugo is Brad Stevens’ ace in the salary cap hole." bit.ly/4sFdDWW

Sharing Celtic thoughts: -- Hard to project C's playoff fitness when so much can change by then -- Queta strength differs from previous Mazzulla plan for bigs -- Why Hugo Gonzalez may be more special than you think -- Anfernee Simons: Still "a bucket" bit.ly/4sFdDWW

NBA's Last Two Minute Report to Mazzulla: "Uh, you had a point."

Sharing Celtic thoughts: -- Hard to project C's playoff fitness when so much can change by then -- Queta strength differs from previous Mazzulla plan for bigs -- Why Hugo Gonzalez may be more special than you think -- Anfernee Simons: Still "a bucket" bit.ly/4sFdDWW

The Celtics and Pacers combined for an NBA season-low 14 fouls tonight. "There was more contact at my senior prom," said the Sultan of Stat. Like the Celts, the Sultan suffered an L that evening. Dick Lipe details the Jaylen Brown-less problems against last place in the East Indiana. ⬇️

What part of the Steelers-Texans game do you enjoy most? 1. Pittsburgh making a good play 2. Houston making a good play 3. Aaron Rodgers getting visibly pissed at his teammates

Much respect to Dick Lipe, semi-retired SID for Bentley U, who worked his school's men's and women's hoop games Saturday, then magically became the Sultan of Stat for Celtics-Spurs -- and us. He completes the triple-header with key noteage on the Celts' loss and Victor Wembanyama's impact. ⬇️

Much respect to Dick Lipe, semi-retired SID for Bentley U, who worked his school's men's and women's hoop games Saturday, then magically became the Sultan of Stat for Celtics-Spurs -- and us. He completes the triple-header with key noteage on the Celts' loss and Victor Wembanyama's impact. ⬇️

The only thing missing from the Bruins' beatdown of the Rangers today was the shoe. 👞 #IYKYK

The Celtics kept some streaks alive in Friday's win over Toronto... The Sultan of Stat did some streaking back in the day.* The possibility that video of this exists explains why he's never run for Congress -- or set foot again in Albany, NY. (*May not be true.) @DickLipe's fully clothed noteage ⬇️

The Celtics kept some streaks alive in Friday's win over Toronto... The Sultan of Stat did some streaking back in the day.* The possibility that video of this exists explains why he's never run for Congress -- or set foot again in Albany, NY. (*May not be true.) @DickLipe's fully clothed noteage ⬇️

One should never be insultin' the Sultan... but it takes the Sultan of Stat, Dick Lipe, until his 5th of 6 notes to point out that Jamal Murray had 17 assists, while the Celtics had just 16. That goes a long way to explain tonight's loss to Denver. The Great and Powerful One has much more here. ⬇️

I know you look to this account mainly for NBA talk... but please allow me a moment to note the passing of Pasquale "Pat" Tretola, 93, a family friend and my Little League baseball coach. A great and kind man. Condolences to his family and many friends.

It was Bill Fitch who said the first game back home is really the last game of the road trip. It was the Sultan of Stat who said, "Just hand me my calculator and get the hell out of the way." Dick Lipe has your noteage as the @celticsnba.bsky.social return to the Garden and beat up the Bulls.

It was Bill Fitch who said the first game back home is really the last game of the road trip. It was the Sultan of Stat who said, "Just hand me my calculator and get the hell out of the way." Dick Lipe has your noteage as the @celticsnba.bsky.social return to the Garden and beat up the Bulls.