1984 NBA Finals Game 5: Lakers vs Celtics

Lore & Background

The series was a rematch of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston 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. 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 the constant travel during the Finals.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Boston Garden hung heavy with the scent of sweat and stale popcorn, the crowd's roar vibrating through the floorboards. Magic Johnson, his jaw wrapped tight against the agony of a recent fracture, dribbled low in the final minute of overtime. The scoreboard was tied, the tension palpable enough to cut with a knife. He saw an opening for Michael Cooper on the wing and fired a laser pass. The ball sliced through the air, only to be tipped by Dennis Johnson's outstretched hand. It tumbled toward the baseline, spinning in slow motion as the world seemed to hold its breath. The referees pointed to the Celtics side of the court; the Lakers had possession with one heartbeat left on the clock. Magic sprinted back, eyes wide, screaming for the ball. Cooper caught it, turned, and launched a desperate three-pointer from deep. It clanged off the rim as the buzzer screamed through the arena, silencing the Garden for a split second before the Celtics erupted in celebration.

Reader's Guide

In Game 5, the Celtics took a 3–2 series lead with a 121–103 victory, as Larry Bird scored 34 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. The game was known as the "Heat Game," as it was played under 97 °F (36 °C) heat, and without any air conditioning, at Boston Garden. The Celtics did not warm up with their sweat pants on because of extreme heat, and an oxygen tank was provided to give air to an aging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Referee Hugh Evans became dehydrated and fainted at one point in the first half. He worked the first half, but was replaced by John Vanak for the second half. It was also the last time that a team with home court advantage in the NBA finals played Game 5 on its own floor until 2014. The next year, the NBA Finals switched to the 2–3–2 format with Game 5 going to the team without home-court advantage, which continued through 2013.

Did You Know?

• Game 5 was played without air conditioning, with temperatures reaching 97 °F (36 °C).
• Referee Hugh Evans became dehydrated and fainted in the first half, and was replaced by John Vanak for the second half.
• This was the last NBA Finals game where the team with home-court advantage played Game 5 on its own floor until 2014.