1984 NBA Finals Game 7 vs Los Angeles Lakers

Lore & Background

This series was a rematch of the Lakers and Celtics after their rivalry was revived in 1979 with the Magic Johnson–Larry Bird pair entering the league. After alternating wins with the Lakers, the Celtics won Game 7 and the series with a score of 111–102. This was the last NBA Finals to use the 2–2–1–1–1 format until 2014.

In Their Own Story

Under the harsh arena lights, a sea of green towels waved in unison, drowning out the Showtime Lakers' noise. Larry Bird wiped a streak of grime from his brow, his gaze locked on the backboard with terrifying focus. Every possession felt like a war; Boston's defense suffocated Magic Johnson's fast breaks just as the Lakers mounted desperate rallies to close the gap. When the final buzzer finally screamed through the arena, the roar didn't just fill the room—it shook the very foundations of the historic building, erupting into chaos as the Celtics reclaimed their throne.

Reader's Guide

In Game 7, the heat was not as bad as in Game 5 (indoor temperatures hovered around 91 °F). 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. Larry Bird was named MVP of the series.

Did You Know?

• Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the NBA Finals MVP.
• This was the eighth time the Celtics and Lakers met in the NBA finals, with Boston winning each of the previous seven.