Stopping Larry Legend; Opposition Gets Desperate

[Ed Monix]

26th December 1989

Celtics - Clippers



Bird would make both free throws.

He finished the game with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, as he lead the Celtics to a 112-111 win.

[Wretch]

26th December 1989

Celtics - Clippers



Bird would make both free throws.

He finished the game with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, as he lead the Celtics to a 112-111 win.

I remember that game.  Bird had to step away from the line because he was laughing so hard.

[RMO]

I was at that game.  I remember Bo Kimble (99% sure it was him) hit a fadeaway three after those free throws that would have won it but the refs got together and determined  it left his hand after the buzzer.

[slamtheking]

26th December 1989

Celtics - Clippers



Bird would make both free throws.

He finished the game with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, as he lead the Celtics to a 112-111 win.

sadly it takes so much less to distract me from my job -- like posting in this thread   

[bdm860]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McgVw4A1Y9A

44:40 for Bird shooting free throws.


And it was Ron Harper who hit the last second 3 that didn't count (1:41:09).  There was only .2 left on the clock, but this the year before the Trent Tucker rule went in place where you need at least .3 on the clock for a shot.  Interestingly the Trent Tucker play happened about 2 weeks later.  At least it didn't become known as the Ron Harper rule.

[Redz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McgVw4A1Y9A

44:40 for Bird shooting free throws.

Love Larry taking it in good humor and hitting the freebies. 

Still kills me to see Reggie out there healthy and awesome. 

[Redz]

I remember a game against the Sixers around that same period.  Dr. J was winding down his career and the rivalry was no longer an even match.  The Celtics, and certainly me as a fan, were suprememely confident that they could beat the Sixers at will, but still relished the opportunity to do so.  The Sixers had kept it close, but Larry went to the line in the final moments with the Celtics up two.  Game over!

Nope.

Larry missed both free throws and Dr. J. canned a game winning 3 on the other end.  One of the biger jaw dropping losses I can remember.  Larry was indeed human.

Edit:  This was during the 1986 season and ended a 14 game win streak!

https://youtu.be/ch8yNP8Uhiw

[86MaxwellSmart]

26th December 1989

Celtics - Clippers



Bird would make both free throws.

He finished the game with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, as he lead the Celtics to a 112-111 win.

I was at this game in LA 

[RMO]

26th December 1989

Celtics - Clippers



Bird would make both free throws.

He finished the game with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, as he lead the Celtics to a 112-111 win.

I was at this game in LA 

Same.  There were always a lot of Celtics fans at those Clipper games back then

[Ed Monix]

The only thing that could defeat Larry Legend: