1981 Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Lore & Background

In Game 6, the Celtics won by 2 points. The series featured the Celtics' comeback from a 3–1 deficit, with Games 5 and 6 each won by 2 points, and Game 7 won by 1 point, 91–90, on a Larry Bird banker from the left side with barely a minute left. The Celtics then defeated the Houston Rockets to win their first title in five years.

In Their Own Story

The air in The Spectrum was thick with the scent of popcorn and impending victory for Philadelphia. Julius Erving drove to the rim, but Robert Parish met him at the apex, a wall of white and green. On the other end, Larry Bird caught the ball near the elbow, his eyes scanning the floor with that familiar, terrifying calm. He passed to McHale in the post, who spun and scored over Moses Malone. The crowd's roar began to falter, replaced by a nervous murmur as Boston chipped away at the lead. With seconds remaining in overtime, Bird secured a crucial rebound, his hands seemingly glued to the leather, and the arena fell silent as he dribbled out the clock. The Celtics had stolen life from the jaws of death.

Reader's Guide

The 1981 Eastern Conference Finals pitted the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics held the tiebreaker for the best record in the NBA at 62–20, same as the Sixers. Boston won the series 4–3 after trailing 3–1.

Did You Know?

• Moses Malone did not play for the 76ers in 1981; he joined the team in 1982.
• The 76ers' center in 1981 was Caldwell Jones, not Moses Malone.
• The Celtics won Games 5 and 6 each by 2 points.
• Game 7 was decided by a 1-point margin, 91–90.