Boston Celtics: The 5 Game 7s that shaped the Celtics-76ers Rivalry

1981: The legend of Larry

The two best teams in the league, each finishing the season 62-20, led by Larry Bird and Julius Erving, a history, proximity, set up for arguably the best series in NBA history.

Before the teams would meet in the playoffs. The Celtics and Sixers faced each other in game 82. Both knew the implications of the last game of the season. The winner won the home-court advantage when they played each other in the playoffs (there was no if). Thanks to 24 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and six steals from Larry Bird, the Celtics won by four points.

After a couple of quick playoff series, the City of Brotherly Love and the Hub became the hosts for the Eastern Conference Finals. The winner of the series would face the 40-42 Rockets in the finals.

The first game, played in Boston, was decided by a couple of controversial free throws, which gave the Sixers a one-point victory. Bird and the rest of the young Celtics team attempted to atone for their Game 1 loss in the Garden by winning by 19 points, including 34 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists from Larry Legend. However, during Game 3, Robert Parish went 1-of-14 for the Boston Celtics, and behind a strong bench, the Sixers won by 10.

Game 4 was essential for the Celtics. But the team did not start hot. Philadephia was able to get a 17 point advance by halftime, Bird began the game 0-7 in foul trouble, and the game, along with the series, looked like it was Philadephia’s. Then the Celtics came back, cutting the lead back to a couple of points. Nevertheless, Philadephia held on, winning 107-105 and taking a three to one series lead. 76ers coach, Billy Cummingham remarked, “there is no way we’re going to lose three in a row.” Cummingham acknowledged that 64 out of 67 teams with a 3-1 lead won (yes this is the same Billy Cummingham that lost a 3-1 lead nearly 15 years earlier).

With Game 5 back at the Boston Garden, the Celtics had some hope. Suddenly that hope was flushed away as the 76ers got out to a quick 10 point lead. Still, the Celtics stayed alive, cutting the deficit to just one point. And as the game went back and forth, the Sixers seemed to get the last push needed to win, up by six with under two minutes remaining. The Celtics were bearing the same fate they faced the year before when the 76ers beat them 4-1 in Boston.

But this was a more experienced Celtics team, and a more experienced Larry Bird. The Celtics finished the game on an 8-0 run and won by two points. Game 6 was in Philadelphia, and the Sixers were heavy favorites, beating the Boston Celtics the last 11 times they played at home. The Celtics started slow but stayed competitive throughout.

After a few scrabs and a brawl that went into the stands, the game was tied. The teams went back and forth throughout the fourth; until the Celtics were up by three with just a few seconds left. The Celtics fouled Erving, got the rebound, and ran the clock out to win the game 100-98, tying the series at 3-3 stunning the Philly crowd.

Those who witnessed Game 7 in Boston compare it to how the Bible described the resurrection of Jesus. To be straightforward, the 1981 East Conference Finals was the pinnacle of basketball, which peaked at a Game 7 that will never compare to another game in history.

Like the rest of the series, the game was scrappy. The 76ers got a nine-point lead early, but by the end of the first, the Celtics closed to the differential to just five points. In the second, the Sixers went on another big run, but the Celtics once again kept it at a five-point game. The 76ers were efficient, hitting their shots from all over the court, while the Celtics were playing physical on defense, forcing turnovers and grabbing offensive rebounds.

The third quarter just like the first two: started with another Sixers run, which got shrank down by Boston. By the end of the quarter, the Celtics were down by four. After a little pushing and shoving, the fourth quarter began. A few players were in foul trouble, but that did not change the playstyle of either team.

The quarter began with four quick Celtics points by Robert Parish, which tied the game up. The Sixers opened the game up again, taking a seven-point 87-80 lead. But in 150 seconds, it was tied, 89-89. The next possession Larry Bird went coast to coast for a jumper giving the Celtics the advantage. The 76ers made a free throw, and then the Celtics were able to let to clock run out to exactly one second, giving the 76ers one last possession to win the game.

Bobby Jones inbounded the ball for the Sixers, and he threw an overhand lob across the court. The ball sailed over the rim and hit the very top of the backboard, and the Celtics won by one. In a series that had a five-point differential in the seven games, Boston came out on top. As the fans stormed the court in hysteria, the Sixers were prepared to return. After the game, Julius Erving simply said, “see you next year.”

Between elbows, knees, kicks, Bird finished with 23 points and a game-winner, to complete the 3-1 improbable comeback, signifying his legacy as a Celtics. A legacy that he would have to prove the very next year.