Overview
The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers four games to three in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series to conclude the 1983-84 NBA season. The victory gave the Celtics their 15th NBA championship and second in the last four seasons.
The Lakers were making their third consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals, having won in 1982 and lost in 1983. This was the eighth meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers in the NBA Finals, with Boston having won the previous seven. It was the first time the Lakers and Celtics met in the postseason since 1969.
Larry Bird won NBA Finals MVP honors, becoming the fourth different Celtics player to win the award, joining Cedric Maxwell, Jo Jo White and John Havlicek. (The Finals MVP award was not given out until 1969, meaning there was no MVP named for the Celtics' first 10 championships.)
The Celtics had home-court advantage for the Finals, which were played under the 2-2-1-1-1 format for the last time. This was the first postseason under the new 16-team format, which required that each team win three series to reach the NBA Finals. The Lakers swept the two regular-season meetings between the two teams in the 1983-84 season.
The Lakers were making their third consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals, having won in 1982 and lost in 1983. This was the eighth meeting between the Celtics and the Lakers in the NBA Finals, with Boston having won the previous seven. It was the first time the Lakers and Celtics met in the postseason since 1969.
Larry Bird won NBA Finals MVP honors, becoming the fourth different Celtics player to win the award, joining Cedric Maxwell, Jo Jo White and John Havlicek. (The Finals MVP award was not given out until 1969, meaning there was no MVP named for the Celtics' first 10 championships.)
The Celtics had home-court advantage for the Finals, which were played under the 2-2-1-1-1 format for the last time. This was the first postseason under the new 16-team format, which required that each team win three series to reach the NBA Finals. The Lakers swept the two regular-season meetings between the two teams in the 1983-84 season.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Lakers | Celtics |
| Regular Season | 54-28, 1st in Pacific Division | 62-20, 1st in Atlantic Division |
| First Round | Def. (8) Kansas City Kings, 3-0 | Def. (8) Washington Bullets, 3-0 |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (4) Dallas Mavericks, 4-1 | Def. (5) New York Knicks, 4-3 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (6) Phoenix Suns, 4-2 | Def. (2) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-1 |
Game 1 - Lakers 115, Celtics 109
The Lakers jumped out to an early lead behind the strong play of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had been suffering from a migraine headache before the game. Abdul-Jabbar scored 13 points in the first quarter and 10 more in the second quarter, giving the Lakers a 13-point halftime lead. The Celtics responded with a 24-9 run in the third quarter, after Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson both picked up their fourth fouls. Larry Bird made a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to cut the lead to four, but the Celtics never got any closer.
Abdul-Jabbar finished the game with 32 points and eight rebounds, while Johnson chipped in with 19 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Kevin McHale came off the bench to lead the Celtics with 25 points. Bird finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Abdul-Jabbar finished the game with 32 points and eight rebounds, while Johnson chipped in with 19 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Kevin McHale came off the bench to lead the Celtics with 25 points. Bird finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Game 2 - Celtics 124, Lakers 121 (OT)
After the Celtics led for nearly the entire first three quarters, the Lakers took a lead late in the third quarter. The two teams went back and forth in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers took a two-point lead with 18 seconds left. Kevin McHale missed a pair of free throws, but Magic Johnson called a timeout after the second miss, allowing the Celtics to set up their defense.
On the ensuing play, Gerald Henderson stole a pass and drove in for a layup to tie the game with 13 seconds left. Johnson could not get a shot off before the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. In the extra session, Scott Wedman made a baseline jumper to put the Celtics up 122-121 with 14 seconds left, and they held on for a three-point win.
Larry Bird scored 27 points to lead eight Celtics in double figures. The Celtics starting frontcourt of Bird, Robert Parish and former Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell combined for 61 points and 36 rebounds. The Lakers got 29 points on 11-of-12 shooting from James Worthy. Despite his mistakes at the end of regulation, Johnson still approached a triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Henderson's steal ranked No. 26 on the list.
On the ensuing play, Gerald Henderson stole a pass and drove in for a layup to tie the game with 13 seconds left. Johnson could not get a shot off before the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. In the extra session, Scott Wedman made a baseline jumper to put the Celtics up 122-121 with 14 seconds left, and they held on for a three-point win.
Larry Bird scored 27 points to lead eight Celtics in double figures. The Celtics starting frontcourt of Bird, Robert Parish and former Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell combined for 61 points and 36 rebounds. The Lakers got 29 points on 11-of-12 shooting from James Worthy. Despite his mistakes at the end of regulation, Johnson still approached a triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Henderson's steal ranked No. 26 on the list.
Game 3 - Lakers 137, Celtics 104
Showtime was on full display in Game 3, as the Lakers racked up 51 fast-break opportunities in 48 minutes. The Lakers went on an 18-0 run in the second quarter to blow the game open, and topped that by scoring a Finals record 47 points in the third quarter, dealing the Celtics their worst playoff loss in franchise history.
Magic Johnson finished the game with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a Finals-record 21 assists. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 24 points as 11 of the 12 Lakers scored in the game. Larry Bird led the Celtics with 30 points, but no other Celtics player had more than 16. Aside from Bird, the rest of the Celtics' starting lineup combined for just 32 points.
Magic Johnson finished the game with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a Finals-record 21 assists. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 24 points as 11 of the 12 Lakers scored in the game. Larry Bird led the Celtics with 30 points, but no other Celtics player had more than 16. Aside from Bird, the rest of the Celtics' starting lineup combined for just 32 points.
Game 4 - Celtics 129, Lakers 125 (OT)
The Lakers led by as many as 14 points in the first half and were up by six in the third quarter when the series turned on a single play. Kurt Rambis was going in for a breakaway layup when he was clotheslined by Kevin McHale, leading to a full-scale brawl. Less than two minutes later, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar started to fight and had to be separated by officials. Boston clawed back into the game and took advantage in the fourth quarter after Abdul-Jabbar fouled out. The Lakers missed four free throws in the final minute of the game, allowing the Celtics to force overtime. In the extra session, James Worthy scored 10 of the Lakers' 12 points, but Bird made a turnaround jumper with 16 seconds left to give the Celtics the lead, and eventually the win.
Bird finished with 29 points and 21 rebounds, making all 10 of his free-throw attempts. The Celtics were 31-of-37 from the free-throw line in the game, while the Lakers missed 13 of their 38 free-throws. In contrast to Game 3, all five Celtics starters scored in double figures. Despite fouling out late in the fourth quarter, Abdul-Jabbar led all scorers with 32 points. Magic Johnson posted his second consecutive triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 38 on the list.
Bird finished with 29 points and 21 rebounds, making all 10 of his free-throw attempts. The Celtics were 31-of-37 from the free-throw line in the game, while the Lakers missed 13 of their 38 free-throws. In contrast to Game 3, all five Celtics starters scored in double figures. Despite fouling out late in the fourth quarter, Abdul-Jabbar led all scorers with 32 points. Magic Johnson posted his second consecutive triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 38 on the list.
Game 5 - Celtics 121, Lakers 103
With the temperatures in Boston unseasonably hot, the non-air-conditioned Boston Garden reached 97 degrees inside, leading to far-from-optimal playing conditions. The two teams were close throughout the first half, but both teams began to suffer from the heat in the second half. The conditions were so bad the the Lakers were using oxygen tanks and iced towels, and official Hugh Evans had to be replaced by alternate John Vanak. While the Lakers were wilting, the Celtics seemed to get stronger, using a 21-7 run late in the game to clinch the victory.
Larry Bird led Boston with 34 points and 17 rebounds, making 15 of his 20 shots from the field. Dennis Johnson added 22 points and six assists for the Celtics, who shot 51.7 percent from the field despite the conditions. James Worthy led the Lakers with 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, but was the only Lakers starter who was effective in the game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who'd been suffering from migraines the day before the game, couldn't get going in the heat and missed 18 of the 25 shots he attempted, finishing with 19 points. Magic Johnson had 10 points and 13 assists but was just 3-of-9 from the field.
Larry Bird led Boston with 34 points and 17 rebounds, making 15 of his 20 shots from the field. Dennis Johnson added 22 points and six assists for the Celtics, who shot 51.7 percent from the field despite the conditions. James Worthy led the Lakers with 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, but was the only Lakers starter who was effective in the game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who'd been suffering from migraines the day before the game, couldn't get going in the heat and missed 18 of the 25 shots he attempted, finishing with 19 points. Magic Johnson had 10 points and 13 assists but was just 3-of-9 from the field.
Game 6 - Lakers 119, Celtics 108
Back home in the Forum, the Lakers staved off elimination, despite Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's continued migraine issues. Abdul-Jabbar played through the migraine, as he did in Game 1, and again performed well, finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Despite Abdul-Jabbar's strong play, the Lakers were down 84-73 with 4:58 left in the third quarter before going on an 18-3 run to take a four-point lead. In the fourth quarter, another brawl broke out when James Worthy shoved Cedric Maxwell into the basket support. The Celtics responded, cutting the lead to two points before Abdul-Jabbar scored five straight points to put the Lakers ahead for good.
After the game, Bird complained about commissioner David Stern's statements that the league would benefit from a 7-game series, but would not go as far as to say the league had orchestrated the outcome. Also, when leaving the court, M.L. Carr was hit the eyes by a beer thrown by a fan. That, combined with Worthy's hard foul on Maxwell, led Carr to call the series an "all-out war."
The Lakers had four players score at least 20 points, led by Abdul-Jabbar's 30. Magic Johnson had 21 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. All five Lakers starters had at least six rebounds. Bird led the Celtics with 28 points and nearly finished with a triple-double, adding 14 rebounds and eight assists.
After the game, Bird complained about commissioner David Stern's statements that the league would benefit from a 7-game series, but would not go as far as to say the league had orchestrated the outcome. Also, when leaving the court, M.L. Carr was hit the eyes by a beer thrown by a fan. That, combined with Worthy's hard foul on Maxwell, led Carr to call the series an "all-out war."
The Lakers had four players score at least 20 points, led by Abdul-Jabbar's 30. Magic Johnson had 21 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. All five Lakers starters had at least six rebounds. Bird led the Celtics with 28 points and nearly finished with a triple-double, adding 14 rebounds and eight assists.
Game 7 - Celtics 111, Lakers 102
Cedric Maxwell, the 1981 Finals MVP, told his team before the game, "Get on my back, fellas, and I'll take us home." He delivered on his promise, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, including 11-of-13 free-throw shooting in the first half. The Celtics led by six points at halftime and extended the lead to 13 after the third quarter. The Lakers made one last run in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 105-102 with 1:15 left, but the Celtics held on from that point, making six free throws down the stretch.
In addition to Maxwell's big game, the Celtics got double-doubles from Larry Bird (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Robert Parish (14 points, 16 rebounds). Bird finished the series averaging 27.4 ppg, 14.0 rpg and 3.6 apg to earn MVP honors. Six different Celtics players averaged at least 12 ppg in the series.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 29 points in Game 6. Magic Johnson had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and finished the series averaging 13.6 apg to set a Finals record.
This was the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 1978, and the first one won by the home team since the Celtics beat the Bucks in 1974. Boston improved to 7-0 in Game 7 in the Finals. The Lakers fell to 2-5 in Game 7 in the Finals, with four of the five losses coming against the Celtics. The Lakers also fell to 0-5 in Game 7 in the Finals since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles.
In addition to Maxwell's big game, the Celtics got double-doubles from Larry Bird (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Robert Parish (14 points, 16 rebounds). Bird finished the series averaging 27.4 ppg, 14.0 rpg and 3.6 apg to earn MVP honors. Six different Celtics players averaged at least 12 ppg in the series.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 29 points in Game 6. Magic Johnson had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and finished the series averaging 13.6 apg to set a Finals record.
This was the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 1978, and the first one won by the home team since the Celtics beat the Bucks in 1974. Boston improved to 7-0 in Game 7 in the Finals. The Lakers fell to 2-5 in Game 7 in the Finals, with four of the five losses coming against the Celtics. The Lakers also fell to 0-5 in Game 7 in the Finals since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles.