1984 NBA Finals Game 7 vs Los Angeles Lakers

Celtics claim 15th title in Game 7 classic.

The 1984 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the NBA's 1983–84 season. The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to win their fifteenth NBA championship. Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning Finals MVP.

Quick Facts

Date: June 12, 1984
Venue: Boston Garden
Series result: Celtics win 4-3
Finals mvp: Larry Bird
Opponent: 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, the Celtics won Game 7 with a score of 111–102. This was the last NBA Finals to use the 2–2–1–1–1 format until 2014. The following year, the NBA Finals format was changed to 2–3–2 after Celtics president Red Auerbach complained to NBA Commissioner David Stern about constant travel. The 2–3–2 format would be used up through 2013.

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 with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as they came away with a 111–102 victory. The Lakers rallied to cut a 14-point deficit to three with one minute remaining when Maxwell knocked the ball away from Magic Johnson. Dennis Johnson responded by sinking two free throws to seal the victory. Larry Bird was named MVP of the series. This was the Celtics' first championship claimed at home since 1966.