[48] Magic Johnson was named unanimous MVP of the series, averaging 26.2 points, 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals, leading the Lakers in all four categories. With the addition of Allen and Garnett alongside Pierce to become the new "Big Three", the Celtics returned to the top of the NBA in the 2007–2008 season by posting the best record in the league and reaching the Finals. [45] Celtics founder Walter A. Boston triumphed in Game 7, 111-102. [12], The first NBA Finals match-up between the two teams was in 1959 when on April 9, the Boston Celtics swept the Minneapolis Lakers 4-0 for the first sweep in the history of the NBA Finals. The Celtics' 66–16 record gave them home court advantage over Los Angeles (57–25). Bird had hit a three-point bomb with 12 seconds remaining to give the Celtics the lead, however, with two seconds remaining, Magic Johnson sank a "junior sky hook" to give the Lakers a 107–106 lead, then Bird missed a 20-foot jumper as time expired, allowing Los Angeles to gain a three games to one lead. [114][124] However, for the 1994 Knicks, the first round was a best-of-five. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Boston's three All-Stars, are all in the Finals for the first time. [46] In Game 3, the Celtics had a 48–38 lead in the second quarter before the Lakers, led by James Worthy, took a 65–59 lead at halftime and then pulled away in the second half to come away with a 136–111 victory. [118], This was the first time the Celtics made the Finals since 1987, while the Lakers' last appearance had been in 2004. The Lakers, meanwhile, went on to win the 1988 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons,[49] before losing to the Pistons the following year in 1989,[50] and win titles again in 2000, 2001 and 2002, all while the Celtics wallowed in mediocrity. The Celtics won the NBA Finals in 1974,[33] and won again in 1976,[34] under the leadership of coach Tom Heinsohn and players Dave Cowens, Paul Silas and Jo Jo White. [81] Thereafter, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat. By contrast, the aging Celtics struggled to obtain the fourth seed, with Russell and Jones playing in their final seasons. The Lakers - Celtics duel is one of sport’s most celebrated. Lakers win series 4-2. [36] Johnson would go on to be drafted by the Lakers, and Bird by the Celtics. The two biggest figures of the '80s took home eight championships between them, five league MVPs (Bird-3, Magic-2) and five Finals MVPs (Magic-3, Bird-2). [86] In 2007, they made blockbuster trades for All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen,[87][88] who complemented career-long Celtics star Paul Pierce and emerging star Rajon Rondo. [92] They went on to win the 2009 NBA Finals that season, but the Celtics were eliminated by eventual Eastern Conference champions Orlando Magic. [56] The rivalry between Bird, Johnson, and their teams contributed greatly to the success of the league during the decade; according to Bryant Gumbel, "Magic and Larry saved the NBA. The two teams continued to retool in the 2019 offseason; the Lakers acquired Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans while the Celtics brought in Kemba Walker after Irving left to join the Nets. [20], After the Los Angeles Lakers' comeback overtime win in Game 1, Red Auerbach, who had challenged the entire league to topple the Celtics from their reign by announcing he would retire after 1965–1966 before the season had started (thus giving his detractors "one last shot" at him), announced Bill Russell as the Celtics coach for 1966–1967 and beyond, the first African-American coach in the NBA. [26] The two men did not talk to each other for over 20 years until Russell attempted to patch things up, although he never uttered a genuine apology. A frustrated Bryant criticized the front office following last summer's loss to Phoenix and said he wanted to be traded, but instead the Lakers kept him and upgraded the team around him. The rivalry has been less intense since the retirements of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the early 1990s. Boston earned its first trip since 1987 by beating the Detroit Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference finals. Rondo would miss his final 3-pointer and the Lakers won Game 7 against the Celtics for the first time in franchise history, clinching their 16th NBA title.[132]. The Celtics would win Game 4 before the Lakers would come back and win another close victory in Game 5. "[25], By virtue of a 62–20 record, the Celtics had homecourt advantage over the Lakers who finished the regular season with a 54–28 mark. [98] Both teams fended off late series surges from their opponents, but won their respective series 4–2, setting up a rematch in the 2010 NBA Finals. The Celtics win over the Lakers in 1966 marked an unprecedented eight consecutive championships, the longest streak of any North American professional sports team. [101][102] The Lakers won Game 7 against the Celtics for their very first time, bringing their total number of NBA championships to sixteen (they have one NBL championship in 1948), just one fewer than the Celtics' seventeen. The Celtics' victory in Game 4 was the largest comeback in the NBA Finals since 1971. Finals MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles The Celtics likewise made little playoff progress after their near Finals run of 2002. [55] With the two future Hall of Famers, the league won a whole generation of new fans. Celtics-Lakers Finals an '80s flashback. It seemed to be over when Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain was injured and replaced by reserve Mel Counts. [38] The following year, behind the "Big Three" of future Hall of Famers Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, the Celtics won the 1981 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets. This was the third straight year in which the L.A. Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals. Despite this, the Celtics upset the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks and made it to the Finals. They also looked to be in control of Game 4, holding their ground for most of the third quarter, leading by as many as 24 points. Los Angeles Lakers 4. [130] After the Celtics had built a 13-point lead late in the third quarter, the game was tied at 64 with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. It was a seesaw, give-and-take contest. Entering the game, they set a record of most playoff games played in one season, with 26, breaking the previous record of 25 set by both the 1994 New York Knicks, whom Celtics Coach Doc Rivers played for, and the 2005 Detroit Pistons, both of whom lost in their respective finals in seven games (Knicks in 1994, Pistons in 2005). 1 being Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, No. However, it would ultimately prove to be the decade of the Celtics, who won the finals every year in the 1960s except for 1967. Boston's new Big … [21] The Lakers would get what they wished for and face the Celtics, but ultimately to the same result. However, the Lakers proceeded to miss the playoffs a record six consecutive seasons, highlighted by four straight seasons with over 50 losses and a franchise-low 17–65 mark during the 2015–16 season. Isiah Thomas didn’t play for either team during that time, but he used to be a regular presence in their locker rooms. They reigned in the ’80s, adding four more championships – 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. It can never again be said that 'the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics'". Build up for a rematch began with the Lakers taking a 2–0 lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, with chants of "We Want Boston!" [46] Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 36 points. Brown died during the season, and Red Auerbach led the team back to the Finals with his first Coach of the Year award. It was the first time the Lakers and Celtics met in the postseason since 1969. [118], One of the lasting effects on the Lakers–Celtics rivalry was the usage of the famous "Beat L.A.!" by spotoneout Plays Quiz not verified by Sporcle . Together, they account for 34 of the 74 championships (or 45%) in NBA history. https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/5-biggest-rivals-la-lakers-ranked The Celtics have the edge with 17 NBA crowns and the Lakers have 16. Then Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West retired, and the Lakers missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976.In between, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired, and the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, … [54], The rivalry was also significant because it drew national attention to the faltering NBA. During the first decade of the NBA in the 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers had the first NBA dynasty. [20], The Celtics won the next three games and looked ready to close out L.A. in Game 5. Minneapolis would win the first ever Championship Series of the newly formed NBA in 1950 (three BAA Finals were played between 1947–1949 and retroactively counted as NBA Championships, one of which was won by the Lakers in 1949). The game was known as the "Heat Game", as it was played under 97 °F-heat, and without any air conditioning at the infamous Boston Garden. "[96] The Lakers ended the season with the West's best record, while the Celtics would enter the playoffs as the number four seed. [15] It was after this move, and during this decade, that the rivalry would truly escalate. [18], The Celtics would make their ninth straight appearance in the NBA Finals and face the Lakers for the fourth time. Local leaders strike hopeful tone as Biden, Harris take... New documentary shows fight to save historic Blue Moon... Report: Pederson, Seahawks OC candidate, may take 2021 off, Here's how the 2020 housing market compared to 2019. "[37], The Showtime Lakers struck the first blow, winning the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. But Los Angeles won the last two, in 1985 and '87. [17] In the Game 5 victory, Baylor grabbed 22 rebounds and set the still-standing NBA record for points in a finals game with 61,[109] despite fouling out of the game. However, while Perkins was ruled out because of his injury, Bynum was cleared to play in Game 7. It will be the 11th championship meeting between the franchises, with Boston winning eight of its NBA-best 16 titles against the Lakers. [105][106], On February 20, 2013, the Lakers played their first game since the death of long time owner Jerry Buss who had died two days earlier, paying tribute to him at the Staples Center before facing off against the Celtics. However, he would score 10 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter. [47] In the 1987 NBA Finals, the two teams met for a tie-breaker of their 1980s Finals matches, and the Lakers once again emerged victorious in six games, with the iconic image of Johnson's junior sky hook. The Lakers responded in Game 2 with a 109–102 victory as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks. However, the Lakers began the rebuilding process in 1996 by trading for Kobe Bryant, who was drafted from high school that year by the Charlotte Hornets. However, Boston's bench would prove to be the deciding factor, outscoring the Lakers 13–2 for nearly half the quarter, en route to a 96–89 victory. [110] The Celtics won Game 6 to set up the first Game 7 between the two franchises. Boston would win game one. It was a grueling seven-game matchup ultimately won by the Celtics. [48] This series marked the end of an era for the Celtics. McHale was directly involved in one of the defining moments of the rivalry, when he clotheslined Lakers forward Kurt Rambis on a breakaway layup during Game 4 of the 1984 finals in Los Angeles. Worthy had 29 points while Abdul-Jabbar had 26 points and 14 rebounds. In Game 5, the Celtics took a 3–2 series lead as Bird scored 34 points. [122] The Celtics won Game 1 98–88, highlighted by a dramatic comeback by Paul Pierce after a third quarter knee injury. [36], The Celtics–Lakers rivalry was renewed in the 1980s, in large part due to the personal rivalry between Bird and Johnson. [30] This would also prove to be Laker great Jerry West's only NBA title. With House's shot, the Celtics were in the lead for good, winning 97–91. Sports Quiz / 80s Celtics Lakers Finals Random Sports or NBA Quiz Can you click on the members of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers who played in the 1984, 1985 and/or 1987 NBA Finals? However, they won Game 3 and a buzzer-beater by Sam Jones tied the series up at two games apiece. However, Magic Johnson made three shots while Abdul-Jabbar added four more shots, and the Lakers came away with a 120–111 victory to take a 3–2 series lead. In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever,[35] Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. During the first decade of the NBA in the 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers had the first NBA dynasty. In 2004, they hired head coach Doc Rivers. However, battles between the Celtics and the Lakers took a back seat to the emerging rivalry between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, who met in four consecutive NBA Finals between 2015 and 2018, where the Cavaliers were led by a big three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love, while the Warriors were led by a big four of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The start of the decade saw the Lakers' woes in the NBA Finals continue, with a loss to the New York Knicks in 1970. This was the first NBA Finals to go the full seven games since 2005, and only the fourth since the NBA switched the Finals to a 2–3–2 format in 1985. Los Angeles eliminated the San Antonio Spurs in five games, wrapping up the series with a 100-92 victory on Thursday. [46] In Game 5, the Lakers raced out to a 64–51 lead and stretched it to 89–72 before the Celtics cut the deficit to 101–97 with six minutes remaining. In contrast to the frequent Lakers-Celtics championship match-ups, the Dodgers and Red Sox were meeting in the World Series for the first time (since the Dodgers franchise relocated to Los Angeles).[58]. [59] This would prove to be a defining moment of the NBA, a changing of the old guard as the Lakers and Celtics fell into mediocrity, while the Bulls won six titles led by Jordan, Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson, who would cement their respective reputations as the greatest player and coach in NBA history. However, the Lakers have been the dominant team in the postseason, compiling a 12-3 record. "[44] In Game 7, the Celtics were led by Cedric Maxwell, who had 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as they came away with a 111–102 victory. [48] In Game 6, the Lakers trailed the Celtics 56–51 at halftime, but thanks to an 18–2 run, they regained control of the game with a 30–12 third quarter to cruise to a 106–93 victory and their fourth championship in the decade. Magic Johnson had 29 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, while James Worthy had 33 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are poised to do battle once again in the NBA Finals, right here in 2008. "[57] Sports journalist Larry Schwartz of ESPN asserted that Johnson and Bird saved the NBA from bankruptcy. [27] When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew stated that Russell was the second person he was ordered to break the news to.[28]. Jones, who was also a former Celtics player, and two teams finally had their long-awaited rematch in the 1984 NBA Finals,[44] a grueling seven game series that had many memorable moments, including a 137–104 blowout in Game 3 that led Bird to call his Celtic teammates "sissies", the Kevin McHale takedown of Laker forward Kurt Rambis which led to increased physical aggression by both teams, the sweltering heat of the infamously un-airconditioned Boston Garden in Game 5, and Cedric Maxwell's 24-point performance in Game 7. Summary and statistics for the 1980 NBA Finals - 76ers vs. Lakers [60][61][62] Both teams also faced set backs in the form of personal misfortune. [128] The Lakers would win the game 89–67 and set up an epic Game 7. [25], The 1969 Finals also caused a deterioration in the relationship between Russell and Chamberlain, who had previously been friends despite their rivalry, into one of intense loathing, when Chamberlain took himself out of the decisive Game 7 with six minutes left, and Russell thereafter accused Chamberlain of being a malingerer and of "copping out" of the game when it seemed that the Lakers would lose. "[40] Despite the encouragement, the 76ers lost the 1982 NBA Finals to the Lakers, who were led by new head coach Pat Riley. Here's what to know. This was the first NBA Finals series between the Lakers and the Celtics, and the only such meeting to occur while the Lakers were still in Minneapolis. Notwithstanding the Celtics' success and the Lakers' struggles during this period, both teams would make their presence felt in subsequent offseasons. In Game 6, the Lakers were led by Abdul-Jabbar who scored 29 points as the Lakers defeated the Celtics 111–100. erupting in the Staples Center. However, behind the efforts of Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich, the Lakers won the next two games, setting the stage for another classic Game 7 in the Boston Garden. [41] However, the 76ers defeated the Lakers the following year in the 1983 NBA Finals. Boston had won all previous Game 7 match-ups between the two teams. Sure enough, despite several close games, including the decisive game only having a three-point differential once again, the Celtics would only require six games to close out the Lakers this time. [99][100], The 2010 series had many memorable moments, including impressive performances from Bryant who led in points for six of the seven games, Ray Allen's Finals' record eight 3-pointers in Game 2, Derek Fisher carrying his team to victory and then crying in Game 3, a hard-fought Game 4 where Glen Davis screamed so loud he drooled while Nate Robinson rode on his back, a dominant Lakers performance in Game 6, and a close Game 7 that became the highest rated NBA game since Michael Jordan's second retirement in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. [2] The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers have met a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, starting with their first Finals meeting in 1959. Kobe Bryant exhibited difficulties for much of the game, shooting only 6-for-24 from the field. [19] The Celtics would win the series in Game 5 with a 129–96 victory over the Lakers. During the 1990s, the rivalry died down. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named MVP of the series, making him the oldest player (38 years, 1 month, 24 days) ever to win the MVP of an NBA Finals series. [51][52] A 1984 Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. Lakers outlast Celtics in Game 7 for NBA title", "NBA Finals Game 7 Averages 28.2 Million Viewers, Highest Since 1998", "Ray Allen hits record-breaking 3-pointer", "Latest chapter of Lakers-Celtics rivalry nears end", "Lakers-Celtics rivalry in its last breath", "Selvy's miss in 1962 finals still stings", "Celtics Seize First NBA Title In 22 Years", "Los Angeles Lakers 1965–66 Roster and Statistics", "Furious comeback gives Celtics 3–1 lead", "Celtics Remain Mindful Of a Missed Opportunity", "Allen shoots lights out to take homecourt from Lakers", "Fisher's offensive heroics the difference for Lakers", "Big Baby, Celtics bench provide spark as Celtics tie Finals", "Bryant, Artest rally Lakers to 16th championship", "Game 7 of Finals pulls in 28.2 million viewers", "Lakers Championship Sets NBA Broadcast Record For Canada", "Everything you could possibly want to know about the NBA Finals", "Kevin Garnett has special shoes just for the Lakers", "Celtics win Finals rematch despite Kobe Bryant's 41 points", The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Celtics–Lakers_rivalry&oldid=999938322, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, First Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Second Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Third Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Fourth Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Fifth Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Seventh Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Lakers achieve league record 33-game winning streak and franchise record 69 wins, Lakers were the eventual Western Conference champions, Eighth Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Ninth Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Tenth Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Both teams did not qualify for the playoffs, Eleventh Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, Twelfth Finals meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers, This page was last edited on 12 January 2021, at 18:29. It's a play that lives in Celtics lore, the gritty, Northern Minnesota forward blasting the Showtime Lakers right in front of Jack Nicholson. This would prove critical as the Celtics held on and triumphed 108–106. [46] Lakers owner Jerry Buss famously remarked that "this has removed the most odious sentence in the English language. Ron Artest would sink a key 3-pointer for the Lakers and make other clutch moves, leading Phil Jackson to call him the MVP of Game 7. Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP for the second straight year. Here's why, Seattle ranked as second most transient large city: study, Some good news: Seattle's historic Jules Maes Saloon reopens, Fox News Lays Off Digital Employees Amid Reorganization, Looking to buy a home north of Seattle? Although the Celtics would take Game 4, the Lakers would win Game 5 and fuel speculation that the young Lakers were about to surge past the older Celtics. [93] In 2009, the Lakers signed Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace). They met three times in the FINALS during the 80's from 1984,1985,1987. During the 1978–79 NCAA season, Michigan State was led by Magic Johnson to the championship game of the NCAA Tournament, where they faced Indiana State University, which was led by senior Larry Bird. [72][73] The following year, in 1999, Phil Jackson joined the Lakers as head coach. [118] Despite this, West was inconsolable. "Take this down", said O'Neal. Minneapolis, led by rookie sensation Elgin Baylor, made the Finals by defeating the defending World Champion St. Louis Hawks. "[24] Before the game, the Celtics circulated in their locker room a memo about the Lakers' celebration plans. [63] Celtics star Reggie Lewis died of a heart attack in his prime in 1993, further marring the team in tragedy since second overall pick Len Bias died of a drug overdose two days after he was drafted in 1986. Cooke then came down to personally order the defiant coach to insert Wilt, but to no avail. However, Ray Allen would respond in Game 2 by scoring 32-points and sinking a record eight 3-pointers, leading the Celtics to a 103–94 victory.[125]. Prior to Johnson and Bird's arrival, the NBA had gone through a decade of declining interest and low TV ratings. In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match. New Orleans Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Pipers; Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics; 1967-68 Reg. Under Jackson's guidance, and with O'Neal and Bryant leading the way, the Lakers won three straight championships in 2000,[75] 2001,[76] and 2002. [74], The Lakers returned to prominence in the early 2000s. [44] In Game 3, the Lakers raced to an easy 137–104 victory as Johnson dished out 21 assists. [48] In Game 3, the Celtics posted a 109–103 win, led by Bird, who had 30 points and 12 rebounds. York Knicks and made it to the faltering NBA 74 ], the Lakers again faced the in! 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