1987 Finals in reverse

[Truth Hurts]

In 1987, the Lakers had home court, with 65 wins to Boston's 59.

They won the first two games at home. Boston won game 3, but the Lakers won game 4 in Boston (baby skyhook). The Lakers had a chance to close out in Boston for game 5, but Boston stayed alive to fight another day and attempt to go back to LA and win two games.

LA won game 6 at home.

Now it's our turn.

[DutchHoops]

Like it!!

[Redz]

Nice pick up.  And to go further with that, I'd say to many Boston fans that Game 4 in `87 would be one of the most painful losses in Celtics history.  I'm sure the same could be said for this years Game 4 in L.A.(assuming the Celts can finish the job of course)

[TitleMaster]

The '87 Game 4 loss was a single missed three, by Bird, on the buzzer. All the Celts starters played the entire game w/o a break. In other words, no Sasha/no Luke off the bench for the C's. The '87 Lakers had Thompson, Green, and slew of others sub-ing in & out creating speed (and clogs in the middle) to break up the C's half-court set. It was a mismatch, favoring the Lakers, which the Celts had almost won.

In contrast, the '08 Lakers simply blew it big time. They're overrated from the start. All the Celts needed in '87 was a healthy Walton and Sichting and we would have won.

[Redz]

The '87 Game 4 loss was a single missed three, by Bird, on the buzzer. All the Celts starters played the entire game w/o a break. In other words, no Sasha/no Luke off the bench for the C's. The '87 Lakers had Thompson, Green, and slew of others sub-ing in & out creating speed (and clogs in the middle) to break up the C's half-court set. It was a mismatch, favoring the Lakers, which the Celts had almost won.

In contrast, the '08 Lakers simply blew it big time. They're overrated from the start. All the Celts needed in '87 was a healthy Walton and Sichting and we would have won.

No doubt different circumstances, but Magic's hook shot stung a lot (especially on the heals of a huge go-ahead 3 by Larry the previous possession).  Both bitter losses.

[TitleMaster]

but Magic's hook shot stung a lot (especially on the heals of a huge go-ahead 3 by Larry the previous possession)

Tis true, however, if you recall, the passing lane to Kareem was hastened off so it was inevitable that Magic would take a shot. And Bird's three on the buzzer was a good look, it just didn't fall in.

We went into that Q4 up by about ~15, then Riley started to rotate the quick players to tire out the Celts who'd essentially played w/o a break for much of the game. At the same time, Magic had taken over the game and the Celts quickly lost that lead before Bird knocked down that 3 which pushed us ahead by a point.