The 1982 Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and 76ers was one of the five entertaining matchups for over nine years between 1977 and 1985.
These two teams, the Sixers and Celtics, were “on a seesaw” in the early 1980s.
The difference in the total number of points scored between them during the early eighties was one point. Yeah, they knew each other, and there was a lot of talent on both sides.
The Sixers started the decade with the upper hand, beating a Celtics led by rookie Larry Bird in the 1980 Eastern Conference Finals.
But the Celtics turned the tables the following year, beating the Sixers in a classic seven-game series in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals.
Like in 1981, the Sixers won three of the first four games, with Toney scoring 30-plus points twice.
In Game 5, Larry had 20 points and 20 rebounds to keep Boston alive.
Game 6 in Philly, Toney shot 1-for-11, the Celtics won, and the 76ers were on the brink of blowing a 3-1 series lead for the second straight year.
The Philadelphia 76ers fans must have felt like they were reliving a nightmare because they were!
This year would be different, though—Toney had 34 points in Game 7.
Dr. J had 29, and Philadelphia used a 31-22 third quarter to pull away, saving themselves some monumental embarrassment and, according to reliable reports, Billy Cunningham keeping his job as head coach.
The 76ers also won some respect from an unlikely source—Celtics fans congratulated them in the closing moments of Game 7 with a “Beat LA!” good-luck chant.
However, that didn’t happen, as the Sixers lost to the Lakers 4-2 in the championship series.
