Throwback: Celtics even up series against Shaq/Penny #1 seed Orlando Magic
Typically we post our throwbacks on thursday, but due to the sad news of the passing of former Boston Celtics center Eric Montross here's a flashback to the 1995 NBA playoffs. Montross (who was named to the NBA All-Rookie team that season), Dominique Wilkins, Sherman Douglas, Dino Radja, Dee Brown, and the Celtics had the tall task of facing up against the dominant #1 seed Orlando Magic in a best of 5 first round series that year.
These playoffs also served as the curtain call for the original Boston Garden. After getitng blown out by the Magic in Game 1 by a whopping 47 points, Chris Ford and the Celtics made some adjustments and shocked the world by beating the Magic in Game 2, in Orlando no less, to even the series. Keep in mind the Magic not only had destroyed the much less talented Celtics in Game 1, but to that point their record in Orlando that year was 40-2. So this was a shocker and these Celtics deserved to be proud of the moment.
Boston was still reeling from the tragic death of young superstar Reggie Lewis from less than two years ago, as well as the retirements of legends Larry Bird and Kevin McHale over the past few years. This win was probably the brightest moment for the Celtics franchise since Lewis' death placed a cloud over the franchise. Love seeing how excited Sherm was after this win.
The Celtics would go on to put up very valiant efforts in Games 3 and 4 at the Boston Garden, but ended up losing those final two games in the Boston Garden by close scores of 5 and 3 respectively.
Enjoy the walk down memory lane courtesy of Michael Hackett and our prayers go out to the Montross family at this difficult time.
Rest in Peace former Boston Celtics center Eric Montross https://t.co/tfuGVuic2T pic.twitter.com/DPaXwub7Mv
— CelticsLife.com (@celticslife) December 18, 2023