1981 Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Lore & Background

In the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics and 76ers both finished with the best record in the NBA at 62–20, but Boston held the tiebreaker. The Celtics came all the way back from a 3–1 deficit to win the next 3 games in classic finishes. The Celtics won Games 5 and 6 by 2 points each and the seventh game by 1 point, 91–90, coming back from a 7-point deficit with a few minutes left to win on a Larry Bird banker from the left side with barely a minute left. The Celtics then defeated the Houston Rockets on their way to their first title in 5 years.

In Their Own Story

The air in The Spectrum was thick with the scent of stale popcorn and the electric tension of impending elimination. With seconds evaporating on the clock, Boston trailed by double digits, the roar of the Philadelphia crowd a physical wall drowning out any hope of survival. Larry Bird stood at the free-throw line, eyes locked on the rim, tuning out a sea of jeers bouncing off the rafters. He didn't just see the basket; he saw the season hanging in the balance. The pass found him in the corner—a split-second pocket of silence amidst the chaos. As his sneakers squeaked against the hardwood and he rose up, the leather of the ball gripped by calloused hands, the shot wasn't merely a bucket; it was an exclamation point that shattered Philadelphia's composure and ignited a furious, overtime-fueled comeback.

Reader's Guide

The 1981 Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and 76ers is remembered for Boston's comeback from a 3–1 series deficit. The Celtics won Game 7 at home 91–90 on a Larry Bird shot.

Did You Know?

• The Celtics and 76ers have met in 23 playoff series (and the 1954 Eastern Division Round Robin), with the Celtics winning 15 of them.
• The 76ers are considered to be the Celtics' second biggest rival, behind only the Los Angeles Lakers.
• In 1981, the Celtics and 76ers both finished with the best record in the NBA at 62–20, but Boston held the tiebreaker.
• The Celtics won Game 7 of the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals 91–90 on a Larry Bird banker from the left side.