All-time NBA/ABA tournament of champions: Part IV
All-time NBA/ABA
tournament of champions:
Part IV Decade semifinals
and final rounds
By Cort Reynolds
Two great rivalry
series between the Celtics and Lakers and others by the Celtics/76ers and
Pistons/Bulls headlined the latest round of the all-time tournament of
champions.
When the dust
cleared, the Celtics are the only franchise to have two unbeaten teams left in
the winner's bracket.
All-time NBA/ABA
Tournament of Champions
Third Round
Results (all series are best of 7)
Seed, title year
and team with season record, playoff record and head coach listed in
parentheses
2000s bracket
2nd/3rd round results
#4 seed 2007 San
Antonio Spurs (58-24, 16-4, Gregg Popovich)
Starters: T.
Duncan, M. Ginobili, T. Parker, B. Bowen, F. Oberto
Key reserves: B.
Barry, M. Finley, F. Elson, R. Horry, B. Udrih
over
#2 seed 2013
Miami Heat (66-16, 16-7, Erik Spoelstra)
Starters: L.
James, D. Wade, C. Bosh, M. Chalmers, U. Haslem
Key reserves: R.
Allen, M. Miller, C. Andersen, S. Battier
Result: San Antonio
4, Miami 3.
Series recap: The
Spurs and Heat alternated series wins, with the Heat winning close games 1, 3
and 5 with the Spurs tying it up each time with victories in games 2, 4 and 6.
SA reversed the trend by winning game 7 in Miami, however. Manu Ginobili gave
the Spurs the lead late in game seven by one with a driving basket. LeBron
James missed a pull-up jumper to put Miami up one, the Spurs rebounded and got
the ball to Tim Duncan. Duncan faced up Chris Bosh and banked in his trademark
left wing banker to put SA up by three. James passed up a three try to set up
Wade, who missed a triple. Bosh rebounded and passed out to James, who missed
badly. Mike Miller ran down the loose ball, head faked and passed to Ray Allen,
who drilled a corner shot but was called for traveling while backing up to take
the tying three, negating the tying hoop with just seconds left. Tony Parker
was fouled and split a pair to put the Spurs up four. James then had his pass
intercepted by Bowen to end the game and the series. The Heat had no answer
inside for an in-his-prime Duncan, who averaged 26 points, 16 boards and four
blocks a game. Ginobili offset Wade while Parker outplayed Mario Chalmers
clearly and defensive ace Bruce Bowen did a solid job on James, holding him to
41% shooting for the series.
Series MVP: Tim
Duncan
#3 seed 2008
Boston Celtics (66-16, 16-10, Doc Rivers)
Starters: P.
Pierce, K. Garnett, R. Allen, R. Rondo, K. Perkins
Key reserves: J.
Posey, T. Allen, E. House, G. Davis, L. Powe
lost to
#2 seed 2013
Miami Heat (66-16, 16-7, Erik Spoelstra)
Starters: L.
James, D. Wade, C. Bosh, M. Chalmers, U. Haslem
Key reserves: R.
Allen, M. Miller, C. Andersen, S. Battier
Result: Miami 4,
Boston 3
Series recap:
Miami won games 1, 3 and 5 while Boston took games 2, 4 and 6 to even the
series 3-3.
In Miami for game
seven, the home court advantage proved to be crucial for the Heat. When Paul
Pierce went down with an ankle injury after hitting the game-tying shot at the
end of regulation, Miami was able to pull away in overtime. Dwyane Wade hit a
clutch bank shot to give the Heat the victory.
Series MVP:
Dwyane Wade.
1970s bracket 3rd
round results
#1 seed 1972 Los
Angeles Lakers (69-13, 12-3, Bill Sharman)
Starters: J.
West, G. Goodrich, W. Chamberlain, J. McMillian, H. Hairston
Key reserves: F.
Robinson, P. Riley, K. Erickson, E. Baylor
over
#4 seed 1974
Boston Celtics (56-26, 12-6, Tom Heinsohn)
Starters: J.
Havlicek, D. Cowens, J. White, P. Silas, D. Chaney
6th man: Don
Nelson. Key reserves: P. Westphal, S.
Kuberski
Series recap:
Those ancient foes, the Lakers and Celtics, renewed hostilities in this latest
version of their storied rivalry. Coming off their record 33-game win streak
and 69-win season after eight Finals losses from 1959-70, LA was brimming with
new-found confidence.
With the
early-season retirement of aging one on one star Elgin Baylor and the insertion
of his heady replacement in sweet-shooting young Jim McMillian into the lineup,
LA became a running team ironically reminiscent of the 1960s Celtics.
In fact, their
33-game win streak started the night Baylor retired nine games into the
campaign. Coached by ex-Celtic guards Bill Sharman and assistant K.C. Jones,
they helped turn an aging Chamberlain into a version of Russell with his new
emphasis on shot-blocking, rebounding and triggering the fast break while
shooting much less.
Neither team was
overly deep, with fine Laker swingman Keith Erickson missing most of the season
with injury and Boston reserve/future all-star Paul Westphal in his second
season as seventh man. Yet LA invoked an unusual rule to activate Baylor as
well, since he had played in nine games at the beginning of that season, a move
that paid dividends. Baylor was too proud to be a reserve that season and
retired, but after LA won it all he agreed to rejoin the squad to make a run in
the all-time tournament. Having lost in the NCAA finals in college and eight
times in the NBA Finals, he was hungry for a ring. With Baylor and Erickson
both back, the Laker bench was now nine-deep in quality, although both were
limited to no more than 15 minutes a game.
The lone real
Celtic weakness, other than a short bench, was spotty shooting at off guard by
defensive specialist Don Chaney. With the long-armed Chaney assigned to try and
stop West, he repeatedly got into foul trouble, which forced Boston to use
Westphal more than Heinsohn wanted to, and also forced him to move Havlicek to
guard while playing Silas and Nelson at forward. While trying to
guard the speedier West or Goodrich, even the indefatigable Havlicek became
slightly worn down and it affected his shooting negatively.
All-Stars
Goodrich and White dueled at the other guard, while Hondo taught the talented
but relatively inexperienced McMillian a few lessons. With seven titles under
his belt to that time, Havlicek was one of the premire clutch players of all
time and an exceptionally heady, tenacious and skilled competitor, as well as
one of the league's best athletes.
Cowens was also
able to run the much older Chamberlain, leading Boston to a game one upset in
the Forum by a 117-113 count. Dave scored 32 points and snared 13 boards while
Hondo added 30 and White 26. West topped the Lakers with 31 points and 11
assists while Goodrich added 29 points. But Chamberlain scored just six and
McMillian 10 as the Celtics took a 1-0 edge.
LA roared back in
game two at home, winning 129-110. Chamberlain pulled down 28 rebounds and
muscled inside for 18 points. West doled out 17 assists and scored 23 while
Goodrich and McMillian combined for 49 points. Baylor also added 12 off the
bench.
Havlicek tossed
in 28 for Boston and White added 25, but Cowens was held to just 11.
Game 3 in Boston
was a sizzler, as the Celtics regained the series upper hand with a 112-111
overtime win. Cowens took the immobile Wilt outside and hit jumpers over him,
then drove around him for runners and hooks.
LA countered by
putting Happy Hairston on Dave and switching Chamberlain onto Silas, which also
kept the weak-shooting Paul away from the offensive glass, where he excelled.
Cowens continued to score well on his way to 36 points, but West put the clamps
on White while scoring 29 himself. Goodrich forced overtime on a pair of foul
shots late in regulation.
West then put the
Lakers on top 111-110 by nailing a 22-footer. But Havlicek won it on a running
left-side banker with two seconds to go.
LA tied it back
up again at 2-2 with a needed road win as West and Goodrich, the
highest-scoring backcourt in NBA history at 51.8 ppg, combined for 62 as the
Lakers won 125-119. Havlicek and White each scored 29 but Chamberlain got
Cowens in foul trouble and scored 17 points while snaring 23 boards and
swatting eight shots. Dave was limited to nine points and 11 caroms.
In game five back
home the Lakers took their first lead of the series at 3-2 with a 121-118
squeaker. McMillian outscored Hondo for the first time in the series (28-25).
West dealt 19 assists and Goodrich scored his series-high 39 points. Cowens
bounced back with 20 points and 18 boards, but Wilt negated that with 16
points, 22 rebounds and six blocks.
Back in Boston
for game six, the Celtics staved off elimination by running out to a 59-44
halftme lead. White scored 19 and Hondo 15 by intermission, and Wilt ended up
with just six points as he missed nine of his 11 foul shots.
Cowens tallied 23
points and Westphal had his best game off the bench with 16 points. Chaney and
Nelson each also contributed 14 markers as Boston evened the series 3-3 with a
convincing 116-100 win.
With the series
boiled down to one game back in LA West, Baylor and Wilt were tormented by
memories of 1969, when the favored Lakers lost 108-106 in game seven in what
turned out to be th elast game for Bill Russell and Sam Jones.
Boston came out
firing again and led 29-20 after the first period. Havlicek continued his hot
shooting with 20 first half points, leading the Celtics to a 60-49 intermission
bulge.
The Lakers
started to edge back in the game int he third period. Baylor, who didn't play
at all in the first half, entered the game near the end of the quarter and
scored eight points to pull LA within 77-74.
The Lakers took
their first lead on a fast break layin by Goodrich from West after a
Chamberlain block, 80-79. The Forum crowd roared but after the lead increased
to five, Boston clawed back in front.
Havlicek, Nelson,
White and Cowens each hit baskets to put the Celtics back on top 87-84. West
caught fire and reeled off 10 of the next 12 points, forcing Heinsohn to move
defensive ace Havlicek to guard in an attempt to slow Jerry down.
The move seemed
to work but West then hurt Boton with his passing, getting easy shots for
Goodrich and McMillian. Both teams went with their best offensive lineups down
the stretch, with LA playing Wilt, Baylor, McMillian, West and Goodrich. Boston
countered with Cowens, Nelson, Hondo, Westphal and White.
Westphal's
15-footer went in to give the Celtics a 106-104 lead, but Baylor tied it on a
pair of foul shots.
Havlicek had a
chance to win it at the end of regulation, but as he went up Wilt came over to
double him and forced a miss and overtime.
In OT, Cowens
fouled out forcing Wilt to shoot two free throws late. Chamberlain split the
pair to put LA on top 111-110, but White knocked down a clutch jumper. Silas
came in for Cowens and attempted to contain Wilt, fouling him again. Once more
he split the pair to tie it and the game went to a second overtime.
In this extra
session West scored six points and dealt two assists to get LA to the brink of
victory. With Baylor's minutes long expired, Keith Erickson came in and
appeared to make a game-breaking steal. He poked the ball from behind away from
a dribbling Havlicek, but it went right to Nelson, whose foul line jumper
bounced in to give Boston a 122-121 lead.
With everyone in
the Forum expecting Mr. Clutch to take the last shot, the Celtics wisely
doubled him on the sideline. But his pass went to Goodrich, who buried a
19-footer fromt he circle with two seconds left.
After a timeout
Boston had one last chance after a timeout moved the ball to halfcourt. The
play was drawn up for Havlicek first and White second, but Nellie's in-bounds
pass was picked off by West and time expired.
West averaged
nearly 30 points and 12 assists a game for the series, while Havlicek averaged
27 points and White 22. But Goodrich, who scored 27 ppg, made the series-winner
as Cowens could onyl watch on glumly from the bench. Had he not fouled out the
seventh game outcome may well have been different.
Result: Los
Angeles 4, Boston 3
Series MVP: Gail
Goodrich
#3 seed 1973 New
York Knicks (57-25, 12-5, Red Holzman)
Starters: W.
Frazier, D. DeBusschere, W. Reed, E. Monroe, B. Bradley. 6th man: J. Lucas.
Key reserves: P.
Jackson, D. Meminger, D. Barnett
over
#2 seed 1971 Milwaukee
Bucks (66-16, 12-2, Larry Costello)
Starters: L.
Alcindor (Jabbar), O. Robertson, B. Dandridge, J. McGlocklin, G. Smith Key
reserves: L. Allen, B. Boozer
Series recap: The
series featured great individual matchups: Reed vs. Alcindor, Robertson vs.
Frazier, Monroe vs. McGlocklin, Bradley vs. Dandridge. But the one where there
was a clear advantage was the DeBusschere/Smith matchup at forward, plus the
Knicks boasted a better, deeper bench.
New York seemed
to have Milwaukee's number, as even in the Buck title season of 1971 the Knicks
were the only team to win the season series over the champs, and they did it by
a convincing 4-1 margin to boot. In fact over New York-native Alcindor's first
five NBA campaigns, Milwaukee never beat NY in a season series, and also lost
in the 1970 playoffs to the Gothams in five games.
The Bucks had
trouble with the physical play of Reed and DeBusschere in particular, and a
younger Frazier was also able to negate if not outplay the 11-year vet
Robertson in the backcourt. The balanced Knicks boasted better outside shooting
and took cmmand of the series right away by taking game one in the Milwaukee
Arena, 113-105.
The top six
Knicks each hit for double figures, led by Frazier with 22 and DeBusschere with
21 and 16 rebounds. Reed and Lucas, the "Willie Lucas" combination
center, totaled 30 points and 17 rebounds to somewhat offset Alcindor's 35 and
19.
The Bucks evened
it with a big 14-point win in game two as Robertson scored 25 and doled out 16
assists. Dandridge tallied 22 and Alcindor 29, and McGlocklin hit for 19 from
outside as the Knicks struggled uncharacteristically shooting.
Back in the
friendly confines of MSG in New York, the Knicks dominated games three and
four, winning by 10 and nine points to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Frazier scored 31 points in game one and the other half of the Rolls Royce
backcourt, Earl Monroe, hit for 33 in game two.
DeBusschere
scored 41 and grabbed 28 rebound sin the two wins, while Phil Jackson came off
the bench to contribute surprisngly solid defense aganst Alcindor and 10 points
in game three.
Milwaukee took
out its frustrations back home in game five with a 21-point victory. Alcindor
broke loose for 44 points and 21 boards against the aging, smaller duo of Lucas
and Reed, as well as the 6-8 Jackson.
But back in
Gotham for the sixth game, the Knick fans would not let their heady team lose.
Bradley enjoyed his finest game with 25 points on 11-12 shooting, and
DeBusschere tossed in 24 points with 17 rebounds.
Frazier put the
game away with four clutch late foul shots as he stymied the older Robertson
and added 19 points and 13 assists himself.
As the Knicks
clinched the series at home 115-110, the sold-out Garden crowd serenaded the
Buck center, who scored 33 points, with chants of "Good night Lewie, Good
night Lewie."
Result: New York
4, Milwaukee 2
Series MVP: Dave
DeBusschere
1950s/60s 3rd
round results
#1 seed 1967
Philadelphia 76ers (68-13, 11-4, Alex Hannum)
Starters: W.
Chamberlain, H. Greer, W. Jones, C. Walker, L. Jackson 6th man: B. Cunningham.
Key reserves: D.
Gambee, M. Guokas, L. Costello
over
#5 seed 1957
Boston Celtics (44-28, 7-3, Red Auerbach)
Starters: B.
Russell, B. Cousy, T. Heinsohn, B. Sharman, J. Loscutoff 6th man: F. Ramsey.
Key reserves: A.
Phillip, A. Risen, D. Hemric
Result:
Philadelphia 4, Boston 3
Series recap: The
battle between the NBA's two goliaths in the pivot went down to the literal
wire. Bill Sharman's 20-footer just before the buzzer gave Boston a 111-109
road win in the opener. Philly tied it with a big win in game two as Wilt
posted a triple-double with 24 points, 23 rebounds and 11 assists. Boston
forged back in front with a victory in game three in the Garden as Russell
yanked down 32 caroms and held Wilt to 18 points. But the 76ers came back to
tie it again with a key road triumph in game four as Billy Cunningham scored 29
and Chet Walker 25.
Back home for
game five, the Sixers took their first lead of the series. Hal Greer hit for 35
and canned two of his trademark jump shot free throws late to give Philly a
117-115 victory.
Boston tied it up
3-3 as underrated Tom Heinsohn, the 1957 Rookie of the Year, poured in a
series-high 38 points. Bob Cousy doled out 22 assists as the Celtic fast break ran
Philly out of the Garden, 127-110.
In the seventh
game showdown, neither team led by more than five points the entire way. Pushed
on by their home fans, the 76ers took a 95-90 lead in the fourth period when
Wilt found Cunningham and Walker on consecutive double team passes out of the
post for easy baskets.
Boston stopped
doubling Chamberlain and when in trouble, Russell fouled him, sending Wilt to
the foul line. With the pressure on, Chamberlain missed four of five. Cousy
canned a long one-hander and then Sharman hit from deep to bring the Celtics
within 96-94. Again the Celtics fouled Chamberlain, and he split the pair.
Heinsohn knocked
down a long hook to bring Boston within one. Sixer coach Alex Hannum refused to
take out Chamberlain, and they rushed a shot by Greer to avoid a foul, with
Russell rebounding the miss.
But at the other
end, the 76ers turned the tables and fouled Russell, just a 56 percent career
foul shooter and a 49 percent free thrower that season, intentionally with just
eight seconds left. Russ missed the first but managed to bounce in the second
shot to tie it.
After a timeout,
Philly lobbed the ball into Wilt, one on one against Russell. Chamberlain
maneuvered for his patented finger roll in the lane, yet Russell anticipated the
move and blocked the shot out of the air to Cousy. But the official called
goal-tending to put Philly in front, 99-97, with two seconds left.
Cousy, after a
timeout, threw in to Sharman, and his 45-footer at the buzzer hit the rim,
bounded well into the air and hit a wire above the basket before dropping back
down and out to give the 76ers a controversial series win as their fans stormed
the court.
Series MVP: Wilt
Chamberlain
#2 seed 1963
Boston Celtics (58-22, 8-5, Red Auerbach)
Starters: B. Russell,
B. Cousy, S. Jones, T. Heinsohn, T. Sanders
Key reserves: J.
Havlicek, F. Ramsey, KC Jones, C. Lovellette
over
#6 seed 1958 St.
Louis Hawks (41-31, 8-3, Alex Hannum)
Starters: B.
Pettit, E. Macauley, C. Hagan, S. Martin, J. McMahon Key reserves: C. Share, J. Coleman, W.
Wilfong
Result: Boston 4,
St. Louis 2
Series recap: The
rival Celtics and Hawks met four times for the title between 1957 and 1961,
with Boston winning three of their memorable matchups. The lone Hawk win came
in 1958, when Bob Pettit scored 50 points and 19 of the last 21 in game six to
lift St. Louis to the only title in franchise history, 110-109. But Bill
Russell had played with a sprained ankle, and was determined not to let that
happen again.
The Celtics
roared to wins at home in the first two games by 15 and 16 points as seven
players hit double figures. St. Louis stayed alive with a game three win at
home as Pettit poured in 39 points and snared 26 boards.
Boston took a
commanding 3-1 lead by winning game four as Russell pulled in 25 boards, scored
19 and blocked 11 shots. The Hawks staved off elimination in game five in the
Garden as Pettit and former Celtic Ed Macauley each scored 29, and Boston draft
pick Cliff Hagan added 22.
Back in St. Louis
for game six, the Hawks took an 11-point lead into the fourth period and
appeared poised to force a seventh game. But then the Celtics defense tightened
up and limited them to just 10 points. The fast break cut loose and Boston ran
away to a 113-108 triumph.
Sam Jones scored
24 to pace the victors. Cousy passed out 16 assists while Heinsohn scored 19,
Russell pulled in 28 rebounds and rookie John Havlicek added 17 key points off
the bench.
Pettit scored 33
in defeat.
Series MVP: Bill
Russell
1990s bracket Final
Round results
#1 seed 1996
Chicago Bulls (72-10, 15-3, Phil Jackson)
Starters: M.
Jordan, S. Pippen, D. Rodman, L. Longley, R. Harper
6th man: T.
Kukoc. Key reserves: S. Kerr, B. Wennington, J. Buechler
over
#3 seed 1990
Detroit Pistons (59-23, 15-5, Chuck Daly)
Starters: I.
Thomas, J. Dumars, B. Laimbeer, M. Aguirre, J. Edwards 6th man: V. Johnson. Key reserves: D. Rodman,
J. Salley
Result: Chicago
4, Detroit 2
Series recap: Two
familiar rust belt rivals faced off int he 1990s finals. Detroit had eliminated
Chicago in seven games in 1988, in 6 in 1989 and in 7 in 1990 before the Bulls
broke through and swept the defending two-time champs in 1991 en route to their
first title. That sweep evoked the infamous Piston "no handshake" at
the end of the series as they marched off the floor together before the final
buzzer in game four. Thus the stage was set for an angry revival of hostilities
between the pair of bitter upper midwest foes.
Chicago took the
first two games at home surprisingly fairly easily. Jordan scored 45 and 47
points to offset 61 points by Thomas in the two contests. Detroit stayed alive
by winning game three at home by 18 points as Thomas, Dumars and Vinnie Johnson
combined for 67 points.
The Pistons tied
it with another win at home in game four 118-116. Jordan knotted it on a jumper
over a double team with four seconds left, but Thomas responded by canning a
21-footer at the buzzer.
Back in Chicago
for game five, the Bulls blew out the Pistons by 25. Jordan scored 43 and Pippen
recorded a triple-double to lead Chicago to the win.
In the Palace for
game six, the physical play went to a new low. Piston Rodman slammed Pippen
into the stanchion, forcing him out of the game with a head and neck injury.
Bull Rodman body slammed the Detroit version of himself, and Laimbeer was given
flagrant fouls for hammering Jordan and Toni Kukoc.
Thomas appeared
to have won another game for Detroit with a bank three-pointer that put the
Pistons up 118-117 in the final seconds. But after a timeout, the Bulls fooled
Detroit, which doubled Jordan and stayed home on Kerr, and went instead to an
open Kukoc. The southpaw supersub from Croatia drained a top of the key shot at
the buzzer to win the series.
The Pistons
streamed off the court without shaking the hands of the Bulls again as their
home crowd cheered. Daly did shake the hand of Jackson, however.
Jordan, who
averaged just under 40 ppg, was the series MVP although Thomas nearly matched
him. Chicago, which won six titles in the expansion-diluted decade, clearly
claimed the mantle of team of the decade.
Afterward, Jordan
offered that any of the first three-peat Bulls champs of 1991-93 would have
beaten the Bad Boys as well. Rodman of the Bulls agreed, while Rodman of the
Pistons and Thomas disagreed, saying Jordan was overrated.
Series MVP:
Michael Jordan
1980s bracket
Final round results
#1 seed 1986
Boston Celtics (67-15, 15-3, K.C. Jones)
Starters: L.
Bird, K. McHale, D. Johnson, R. Parish, D. Ainge
6th man: B.
Walton. Key reserves: S. Wedman, J. Sichting
over
#2 seed 1987 Los
Angeles Lakers (65-17, 15-2, Pat Riley)
Starters: E.
Johnson, K. A.-Jabbar, J. Worthy, B. Scott, AC Green 6th man: M. Cooper. Key reserves: M.
Thompson, K. Rambis
Result: Boston 4,
LA Lakers 3
Series recap: The
top two title teams of the star-studded 1980s met in a titanic showdown. The
Celtics, eager to gain revenge for their rubber-match loss in the 1987 Finals
to the Lakers when they were far less than full strength due to injuries, were
postively foaming at the mouth to face LA.
This time the
Celtics had the homecourt advantage due to a better record. In game one, Bird
authored a triple-double to lead the Celtics to a blowout win. Scott Wedman
came off the bench to hit all seven of his shots, including three triples, to
help Boston to a 24-point rout.
The Celtics made
it 2-0 with another win at home in game two.
Even with his
ex-college teammate Mychal Thompson acquired by LA to beat on him, McHale was
unstoppable inside with 35 points and 16 rebounds, eight on the offensive
glass.
Yet the Lakers
had a chance to tie it late yet Johnson missed a pair of foul shots. When
Thompson knocked the ball out of bounds, the call still went LA's way, giving
them one last chance. But Johnson's entry pass to Jabbar was picked off by
Parish, who passed to Bird. Larry canned both shots and the Celtics hung on,
124-121.
Back home in LA,
the Lakers won convincingly in game three as Jabbar and Worthy each scored 28
and Johnson pulled out a triple-double of his own.
In the key fourth
game, the Lakers won late on a Worthy finger roll to tie the series despite
Bird making 11 shots in a row at one point.
Back in Boston
for game five, LA pulled off the upset 116-114 when Johnson's wrong-footed
three from the left wing banked in at the buzzer.
With their backs
to the wall in game six at the Forum, Boston trailed by seven late when Bird
scored eight straight points to put the Celtics in front. Jabbar missed a hook,
but Worthy tipped in the rebound to put LA in front with 16 seconds to go.
With the Lakers
keying on Bird, he drew a double team and hit DJ for an open jumper, which he
drained with two seconds left.
After a timeout
LA went to Johnson, but he inexpplicably dribbled almost all of the clock out
before McHale blocked his desperation shot at the buzzer to preserve the win
and force game seven back in Boston.
The Celtics were
dismayed to see Earl Strom, the road referee, and Hugh Evans as the officials
for the seventh contest. The same duo had reffed the clinching game six loss at
Boston vs. LA in 1985, and again the controversial game four loss in 1987.
But this time the
Celtics would not let it stay close. Boston stymied the vaunted Laker running
game by pounding the offensive boards, and when confined to a halfcourt game,
the Laker offense bogged down as the duo of Parish and Walton helped hold a
tiring 40-year old Jabbar to 16 points while McHale outscored Worthy. Kevin
made James pay for his early leakouts by hitting the offensive glass to the
tune of four putbacks, and Worthy finished with a paltry three rebounds. Bysron
Scott, who always struggled shooting in the Garden, was benched in favor of
Cooper.
With sinewy
defensive ace Michael Cooper clinging to him, Bird took the smaller man inside
for post-up baskets. McHale torched Worthy and Green inside, and Parish battled
Jabbar even. The Celtic halfcourt offense superiroity was clearly evident, and
they controlled the tempo of the contest, never letting the Lakers get out in
transition.
DJ harassed his
counterpart Johnson into a 2-10 shooting game with great defense and dished out
nine assists. And when Parish went out with foul trouble, Walton came in and
the team never missed a beat. His passing and pick and roll mastery with Bird
made the Lakers look bad as Kareem failed to hedge or guard the basic play
well, instead hanging back on defense. When the smoke cleared, Bird had 27
points, 14 boards and 11 assists as the Celtics won convincingly, 111-102.
McHale added 28 points and DJ 21.
The 1986 Celtics,
who had the best record of the decade at 67-15, thus claimed the mantle of team
of the 1980s with the hard-fought win. In a decade filled with great teams,
they had been hardened by the tests of the much tougher East as compared to the
relatively easy Laker competition out West. A strong bench led by Walton and
Wedman also made the difference as the Boston starters were better-rested and
healthy, unlike in 1987.
Series MVP: Larry
Bird
Upcoming
pairings:
1970s finals:
1972 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 1973 New York Knicks.
1950s/60s finals:
1967 Philadelphia vs. 1963 Boston.
Clinched spots in
final 8 and automatic top 5 seed:
1980s champion
1986 Boston
1990s champion
1996 Chicago
2000s champion
2007 San Antonio
The top 6 loser's
bracket candidates for the 3 play-in spots to fill out the bottom three seeds
in the single-elimination quarterfinals are:
1987 LA Lakers,
1983 76ers, 2013 Miami, 1974 Celtics, 1990 Pistons, 1971 Bucks;
Note: The 72
LA/73 NY loser and 67 Philly/63 Boston loser are guaranteed two of the six
spots.
Check back for
next round results and even more detailed series recaps in the next installment
of the series coming soon.
