5. 1990 NBA CHAMPION DETROIT PISTONS v. 12. 2013 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Pistons: 59-23, 1st Cent Div, 11th Off, 2nd Def
d. Pacers East 1st Rnd 3-0
d. Knicks East Semis 4-1
d. Bulls East Finals 4-3
d. Blazers NBA Finals 4-1
#71 overall seed
Coach: Chuck Daly
Starters
C Bill Laimbeer 32-Notre Dame 12.1 PPG 15.8 PER 10.1 WS
F Dennis Rodman 28-SE OK St 8.8 15.4 9.3
F Mark Aguirre 30-Depaul 14.1 15.8 5.7
G Isiah Thomas 28-Indiana 18.4 17.3 6.7
G Joe Dumars 26-McNeese St 17.8 17.2 8.7
Rotation Reserves
C James Edwards 34-Washington 14.5 13.3 5.6
F John Salley 25-Geo Tech 7.2 13.5 6.1
F David Greenwood 32-UCLA 1.6 10.9 .4
G Gerald Henderson 34-VCU 2.3 13.6 1.1
G Vinnie Johnson 33-Baylor 9.8 12.9 3.2
Leaders: Rodman: 3rd Off Reb, 3rd Off Rtng, 3rd Reb %
Isiah 5th Assists,
Dumars 4th FT %
Laimbeer 3rd Def WS, 5th Def +/-, 4th Def Rtng, 3rd Def Reb %
Salley 2nd Def +/-, 3rd Def Rtng, 5th Block %
The 5th seed in the region - the World Champion Pistons. You don't get the top end performances with Detroit; Laimbeer is the only 10+ WS. They rely on depth.
Grizzlies: 56-26, 2nd SW Div, 17th Off, 2nd Def
d. Clips West 1st Rnd 4-2
d. Thunder West Semis 4-1
Lost Spurs West Finals 4-0
#186 overall seed
Coach: Lionel Hollins
Starters
C Marc Gasol 28 14.1 PPG 19.5 PER 11.5 WS
F Zach Randolph 31-Michigan St 15.4 17.9 7.9
F Rudy Gay 26-UConn 17.2 14.1 2.4
G Mike Conley 25-Ohio St 14.6 18.3 9.9
G Tony Allen 31-Ok St 8.9 13.2 5.1
Rotation Reserves
C Mo Speights 25-Florida 6.6 16.1 1.4
F Ed Davis 23-UNC 5.1 17.2 2.1
F Quincy Pondexter 24-Washington 6.4 11 3.2
G Jerryd Bayless 24-Arizona 8.7 13.5 4
G Tayshaun Prince 32-Kentucky 8.8 10.2 1.8
Leaders: Randolph: 4th Reb/Gm, 1st Off Reb, 5th Reb %
Conley: 1st Steals, 3rd Steals/Gm, 4th Steal %
Gasol: 2nd Def WS, 1st Def +/-, 5th Def Rtng
Allen: 4th Def Rtng
Really similar teams here; high level defenses, middling offenses, no one hits 20 PER and it's just the big man, Gasol, with double digit WS.
Lineup Matchup
C Gasol (Grizzlies)
F Push
F Aguirre (Pistons)
G Conley (Grizzlies)
G Dumars (Pistons)
Bench: Pistons
Game One
1st
9 Pistons 6 Grizzlies 4
Pistons Isiah, Isiah, Rodman
Grizzlies Gasol, Randolph
6 Grizzlies 12 Pistons 10
Pistons Laimbeer, Aguirre
Grizzlies Randolph, Randolph, Gasol, Gasol
Underway - Grizzlies are heavy dogs as the 12th seed in the region, but these teams sure look like mirror images and it's Memphis up early.
3 Pistons 17 Grizzlies 12
Pistons Isiah, Isiah, Rodman, Isiah(1)
Grizzlies
Score Grizzlies 18 Pistons 17
Pistons
Grizzlies Conley, Gay, Gay
Zeke's got 9, but it's Memphis with the lead in this, predictably, defensive struggle.
2nd
9 Grizzlies 23 Pistons 22
Pistons Isiah(3) Rodman
Grizzlies Randolph, Prince
6 Grizzlies 30 Pistons 29
Pistons Rodman(3) Aguirre, Dumars
Grizzlies Prince, Gasol(1) Randolph, Conley
Rodman adds 5 - but it's still Memphis, up 1.
3 Grizzlies 42 Pistons 36
Pistons Salley, Edwards, Edwards(3)
Grizzlies Conley(3) Randolph, Gasol(3) Gasol, Davis
Score Grizzlies 49 Pistons 42
Pistons Rodman, Laimbeer, Laimbeer
Grizzlies Conley(3) Gasol, Bayless
7 for Gasol and 6 for Conley to close the half; Grizz extend the lead.
3rd
9 Grizzlies 53 Pistons 45
Pistons Isiah(1) Aguirre
Grizzlies Conley, Randolph
6 Grizzlies 59 Pistons 53
Pistons Salley, Salley, Dumars, Laimbeer
Grizzlies Randolph, Bayless, Randolph
4 fouls for Mark Aguirre; Randolph gets 6 to open the half, Memphis has been leading the entire day.
3 Grizzlies 71 Pistons 59
Pistons Rodman, Dumars, Aguirre
Grizzlies Randolph, Gay, Randolph, Randolph, Gasol, Gasol
Score Grizzlies 77 Pistons 67
Pistons Aguirre, Isiah, Laimbeer, Rodman
Grizzlies Conley, Gay, Gay
A half dozen each for Gay and Randolph - Memphis up double digits.
4th
9 Grizzlies 84 Pistons 69
Pistons Aguirre
Grizzlies Pondexter(3) Gay, Randolph
6 Grizzlies 88 Pistons 73
Pistons Rodman, Aguirre
Grizzlies Gasol, Gay
Memphis is taking it to the Pistons in game one.
3 Grizzlies 96 Pistons 80
Pistons Rodman, Dumars, Dumars(3)
Grizzlies Bayless, Davis, Allen, Allen
Final Score Grizzlies 102 Pistons 87
Pistons Laimbeer(3) Bedford, Bedford
Grizzlies Arthur(1) Daye(3) Arthur
The Bad Boy Pistons just get whipped by Memphis; they got out Pistoned by a team nearly a quarter century down the road and are now a game from elimination.
Randolph: 26 pts/16 boards-Player of the Game
Gasol: 20 pts/6 boards
Gay: 14 pts/9 boards
Conley: 14 pts/7 assists
Rodman: 19 pts/14 boards
Laimbeer: 13 pts/ 11 boards
Game Two
1st
9 Pistons 4 Grizzlies 4
Pistons Dumars, Laimbeer
Grizzlies Randolph, Gasol
6 Grizzlies 16 Pistons 12
Pistons Isiah, Rodman, Laimbeer, Isiah
Grizzlies Conley, Allen, Conley, Allen, Allen, Conley(3)
Conley scores 7 in 3 minutes and the Grizz are up early.
3 Grizzlies 24 Pistons 20
Pistons Laimbeer(3) Laimbeer, Laimbeer(3)
Grizzlies Gasol, Gay, Gay, Conley
Score Grizzlies 26 Pistons 25
Pistons Laimbeer, Isiah, Greenwood(1)
Grizzlies Prince
It's Laimbeer who gets it going for Detroit; he scores 10 straight Pistons points and cuts the deficit to 1.
2nd
9 Grizzlies 34 Pistons 29
Pistons Isiah, Salley
Grizzlies Prince, Prince(3) Pondexter(3)
6 Pistons 42 Grizzlies 40
Pistons Salley, Laimbeer(3) Salley, Laimbeer, Isiah, Laimbeer
Grizzlies Davis, Allen, Randolph
Rare Pistons lead in the series so far; Laimbeer with 7 in 3 minutes
3 Pistons 50 Grizzlies 44
Pistons Rodman, Isiah, Salley, Dumars
Grizzlies Randolph, Davis
Score Pistons 57 Grizzlies 44
Pistons Aguirre, Isiah, Rodman, Isiah
Grizzlies
It took almost 6 quarters but the Pistons have revved up the engines, Isiah with 6 to close the half.
3rd
9 Pistons 67 Grizzlies 48
Pistons Isiah, Dumars, Rodman, Edwards, Edwards
Grizzlies Allen, Gasol
6 Pistons 77 Grizzlies 52
Pistons Johnson, Aguirre(3) Greenwood, Dumars(3)
Grizzlies Bayless, Speights,
Time to raise the white flag - Detroit will even the series.
3 Pistons 83 Grizzlies 63
Pistons Johnson, Dumars, Salley
Grizzlies Allen, Davis, Davis, Randolph, Randolph(1)
Score Pistons 95 Grizzlies 69
Pistons Dumars, Dumars, Dumars, Aguirre, Isiah, Dumars
Grizzlies Bayless, Bayless, Gasol
15 for Dumars in the third - we'll see what Lionel Hollins can put together for his Grizzlies in game 3.
4th
9 Pistons 98 Grizzlies 71
Pistons Edwards(1) Isiah
Grizzlies Gasol,
6 Pistons 102 Grizzlies 77
Pistons Aguirre, Isiah
Grizzlies Randolph, Gay, Gay
3 Pistons 106 Grizzlies 92
Pistons Isiah, Aguirre, Dumars
Grizzlies Gay(3) Randolph, Conley(3) Gay(3) Randolph, Prince
Score Pistons 113 Grizzlies 98
Pistons Greenwood, Lewis(3) Henderson
Gizzlies Dooling(3) Ellington(3)
Detroit overwhelms Memphis to force the decisive game 3.
Isiah: 23 pts/14 assists/5 boards - Player of the Game
Laimbeer: 21 pts/10 boards
Dumars: 21 pts/7 boards/6 assists
Aguirre: 11 pts
Rodman: 8 pts/11 boards
Salley: 10 pts/6 boards
Randolph: 15 pts/10 assists
Gasol: 10 pts/4 blocks
Conley: 13 pts/7 assists
Gay 14 pts
Davis: 10 pts
Game Three
1st Grizzlies 5 Pistons 4
Pistons Rodman, Aguirre
Grizzlies Gasol, Conley(3)
9 Grizzlies 14 Pistons 8
Pistons Aguirre, Aguirre
Grizzlies Gay, Gay, Gasol(1) Allen, Randolph
One game for all the money - Grizz get off early.
6 Grizzlies 24 Pistons 16
Pistons Rodman, Rodman, Laimbeer, Dumars
Grizzlies Allen, Conley (3) Gay, Randolph(1) Gay
3 Grizzlies 26 Pistons 20
Pistons Dumars, Dumars
Grizzlies Gasol
Dumars scores the last 6 Pistons points, Memphis up 6.
Score
9 Grizzlies 36 Pistons 26
Pistons Edwards(3) Salley(3)
Grizzlies Randolph, Randolph(1) Davis, Conley (3) Speights
6 Grizzlies 40 Pistons 30
Pistons Isiah, Aguirre
Grizzlies Allen, Randolph
5 more for Randolph - Memphis taking it right at the Pistons.
3 Grizzlies 48 Pistons 37
Pistons Aguirre(3) Isiah, Johnson
Grizzlies Speights, Speights, Bayless, Allen
Halftime Score Grizzlies 52 Pistons 42
Pistons Laimbeer, Edwards, Isiah(1)
Grizzlies Speights, Gay
Mo Speights gets 6 to close the half and it's a ten point Memphis lead.
3rd
9 Grizzlies 63 Pistons 53
Pistons Rodman, Rodman, Rodman, Rodman, Isiah(3)
Grizzlies Prince, Gasol, Gasol, Randolph, Gasol(3)
6 Grizzlies 70 Pistons 59
Pistons Edwards, Laimbeer, Dumars
Grizzlies Conley, Gay(3) Conley
Rodman looks to take over to start the half - but despite his 8, Memphis extends the lead and now this Pistons crowd is starting to look at the clock.
3 Grizzlies 76 Pistons 65
Pistons Laimbeer, Laimbeer, Aguirre
Grizzlies Gay, Randolph, Gasol(1) Allen(1)
Score Grizzlies 83 Pistons 72
Pistons Isiah(1) Isiah, Dumars, Johnson
Grizzlies Randolph, Gasol(1) Gay, Gasol
Isiah's got 4 fouls - Memphis is 12 minutes from the upset.
4th
9 Grizzlies 88 Pistons 77
Pistons Isiah, Henderson(3)
Grizzlies Allen, Pondexter(1) Gasol
6 Grizzlies 96 Pistons 77
Pistons
Grizzlies Allen(1) Speights Randolph(3) Randolph
The celebration is underway on the Memphis bench - the Grizzlies will advance to the rnd of 128.
3 Grizzlies 102 Pistons 83
Pistons Laimbeer(1) Isiah(3) Laimbeer
Grizzlies Gay, Gasol, Haddadi
Final Score Grizzlies 111 Pistons 88
Pistons Hastings, Bedford
Grizzlies Wroten, Daye(3) Wroten, Wroten
Memphis just blows Detroit out in game 3 and the last Grizzlies team standing will keep doing so.
Gasol: 20 pts/10 boards-Player of the Game
Randolph: 19 pts/19 boards
Conley: 12 pts/13 assists
Allen: 12 pts/7 boards
Gay: 19 pts
Speights: 10 pts/7 boards
4. 1965 NBA CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS v. 13. 1976 DENVER NUGGETS
Celtics: 62-18, 1st East Div, 7th Off, 1st Def
d. Sixers East Finals 4-3
d. Lakers NBA Finals 4-1
#58 overall seed
Coach: Red Auerbach
Starters
C Bill Russell 30-USF 14.1 PPG 19.5 PER 16.9 WS
F Satch Sanders 26-NYU 11.8 12.2 7.5
F John Havlicek 24-Ohio St 18.3 16.3 4.5
G KC Jones 32-USF 8.3 11 6.7
G Sam Jones 31-NC Central 25.9 20.7 12.8
Rotation Reserves
C John Thompson 23-Providence 3.6 9.8 1.8
F Tom Heinsohn 30-Holy Cross 13.6 14.3 3.6
F Willie Naulls 30-UCLA 10.5 12.4 2.6
G Larry Siegfried 25Ohio St 6.3 14 3.2
G Ron Bonham 22-Cincinnati 7.4 21.6 1.8
Leaders: SJones 5th PPG, 5th WS, 5th WS/48
Russell 1st Reb, 1st Reb/Gm, 5th Assists, 5th Asst/Gm, 2nd WS, 3rd WS/48, 2nd Trip-Doub
KCJones 3rd Assists, 3rd Asst/Gm, 2nd Def WS, 3rd Def WS, 4th Asst%
Here's another Celtics title team; strong defense, shaky offense. Russell and Sam Jones both have double digit WS.
Nuggets: 60-24, 1st in ABA, 2nd Off, 4th Def
d. Colonels ABA Semis 4-3
Lost Nets ABA Finals 4-2
# 199 overall seed
Coach: Larry Brown
Starters
C Dan Issel 27-Kentucky 23 PPG 21.8 PER 12.5 WS
F Bobby Jones 24-UNC 14.9 18.9 10.2
F David Thompson 21-NC St 26 21.1 12.4
G Chuck Williams 29-Colorado 11 11.4 4.7
G Ralph Simpson 26-Michigan St 18 15.7 6.3
Rotation Reserves
C Marvin Webster 23-Morgan St 4.3 18.1 1.3
F Roger Brown 25-Kansas 2 9.9 .6
F Byron Beck 31-Denver 9.6 14.9 4.4
G Claude Terry 26-Stanford 7.1 10.9 1.8
G Gus Gerard 22-UVA 9.9 13 1.1
Leaders: Thompson: 3rd PPG, 4th TS, 5th WS, 5th WS/48, 2nd Off +/- 5th VORP, 4th Off Rtng
Issel 4th Reb, 3rd PER, 4th WS, 3rd WS/48, 3rd Off Rtng, 4th Off Reb % 2nd TO%
Simpson: 2nd Asst, 2nd Asst/Gm, 3rd Asst %
Jones: 4th Steals, 5th Steals/Gm, 4th Blocks, 5th Blocks/Gm, 1st FG%, 1st Eff FG% 1st TS, 2nd +/- 4th VORP, 5th Def Rtng, 5th Block %
Beck: 5th FG%, 4th Eff FG%
We get an ABA team in the region; Issel, Jones, Thompson all had big years.
Lineup Matchup:
C Push
F Jones (Nuggets)
F Thompson (Nuggets)
G Push
G SJones (Celtics)
Bench: Celtics
Game One
1st
9 Celtics 5 Nuggets 3
Celtics Russell(3) Sanders
Nuggets Jones(1) Jones
6 Celtics 18 Nuggets 6
Celtics Russell, Sanders(1) Havlicek, KC Jones, Sam Jones(3) Sam Jones(3)
Nuggets Williams(1) Issel
Sam Jones bombs a couple of triples; David Thompson has early foul trouble - look out, Denver.
3 Celtics 20 Nuggets 15
Celtics Havlicek
Nuggets Issel, Issel, Terry, Jones(1) Terry
1st Qtr Celtics 26 Nuggets 22
Celtics Russell, Naulls, Thompson
Nuggets Terry, Webster, Gerard(1) Gerard
John Thompson has more points than David Thompson but the Nuggets hold firm, trailing only by 2.
2nd
9 Celtics 32 Nuggets 29
Celtics Bonham. Russell, Havlicek
Nuggets Beck, Beck(3) Jones
6 Nuggets 37 Celtics 36
Celtics Russell, Russell
Nuggets Simpson, Beck, Issel, Thompson
David Thompson's first bucket is an absolute rim rocker that gives Denver its first lead.
3 Nuggets 45 Celtics 42
Celtics Siegfried, Heinsohn, Havlicek
Nuggets Thompson, Thompson, Simpson
Score Nuggets 48 Celtics 44
Celtics KC Jones
Nuggets Webster(1) Issel
Denver goes into the locker room up two buckets. Winner of this series to meet the Grizzlies.
3rd
9 Nuggets 52 Celtics 52
Celtics Havlicek, Havlicek, Havlicek, Naulls
Nuggets Jones, Thompson
6 Celtics 61 Nuggets 60
Celtics Heinsohn, Heinsohn, KC Jones(3) Havlicek
Nuggets Simpson, Issel, Jones, Simpson
Hondo comes out with 8 to open the 3rd and Boston regains the lead. We might have a good one here in Boston Garden.
3 Celtics 73 Nuggets 68
Celtics Thompson(3) Sam Jones, Havlicek
Nuggets Webster, Webster, Thompson, Thompson, Chuck Williams(3) Issel
Score Nuggets 82 Celtics 78
Celtics Siegfried(3) Bonham(1) Sam Jones, Sam Jones, Sanders
Nuggets Thompson, Jones, Thompson(1) Simpson, Issel
David Thompson scores 7 to close the half; Nuggets by 4 and we head down the stretch, 12 minutes left in game one.
4th
11:53: Den: Claude Terry blows right by KC Jones and gets the lay in. Nuggets by 6
11:30: Den: Havlicek misses, Terry again drives and scores - Nuggets by 8.
11:05: Den: Heinsohn misses and the Nuggets are on a run - Ralph Simpson hits a 10 footer.
10:31: Den: Russell misses, Terry hits a floater and the Nuggets are rolling.
9:34: BOS: Both sides miss Siegfried stops the bleeding with a turnaround in the paint.
8:49: BOS: Simpson throws one away, Havlicek hits from the foul line.
8:41: DEN: Heinsohn picks up his 5th foul, Williams hits both 92-82
8:10: BOS: Sam Jones misses, but Russell is there for the board and Havlicek hits the triple from the wing.
7:58: DEN: David Thompson hammers home a dunk.
7:43: DEN: Bonham misses - Williams hits a 12 footer.
7:21: BOS: The bank is open for Bonham.
6:14: DEN: Gus Gerard scores after empty trips both ways. 98-87.
3 Nuggets 110 Celtics 94
Celtics Havlicek(1) Russell, Russell, Heinsohn
Nuggets Webster(3) Jones, Williams, Beck, Foster(1) Towe
Score Nuggets 120 Celtics 104
Celtics Ward(3) Ward, Counts(3) KC Jones
Nuggets Irvine(1) Irvine(1) Foster, Bradley, Bradley, Issel
Denver just turns on the jets in the 4th quarter; scoring 38 points and pulling away to the game one win.
Issel: 18 pts/15 boards - Player of the Game
Jones: 14 pts/12 boards
Thompson: 19 pts/6 boards
Simpson: 12 pts/9 boards/7 assists
Williams: 10 pts
Terry: 12 pts
Webster: 10 pts/7 boards
Havlicek: 24 pts/7 boards
Russell: 17 pts/19 boards/8 blocks
Sam Jones: 12 pts/5 boards
Game Two
1st Celtics 7 Nuggets 4
Celtics Havlicek, Havlicek(3) KCJones
Nuggets Jones, Jones
9 Celtics 13 Nuggets 8
Celtics Sam Jones, Sam Jones, Sam Jones
Nuggets Jones, Simpson
Bobby Jones has 6 for Denver, Sam and KC combine for 8 for Boston it's Jones 14 Everyone Else 7.
6 Celtics 25 Nuggets 10
Celtics Russell, Sam Jones, Havlicek, Sanders, Havlicek, Russell
Nuggets Simpson
3 Celtics 34 Nuggets 18
Celtics Sanders, Havlicek(3) Thompson, Bonham
Nuggets Issel, Jones, Issel, Webster
7 more for Hondo - Boston blitzing Denver here in game 2.
Score
2nd
9 Celtics 41 Nuggets 24
Celtics Thompson, Heinsohn(3) Sam Jones
Nuggets Beck, Webster, Webster
6 Celtics 52 Nuggets 37
Celtics Havlicek, KC Jones, Russell, Bonham(3) Siegfried
Nuggets Webster, Williams, Beck(3) Beck, Beck, Thompson, Thompson
Boston's offense really in high gear; still 6 minutes left in the half.
3 Celtics 56 Nuggets 49
Celtics Sam Jones, Russell
Nuggets Williams, Simpson, Jones, Jones, Thompson
Halftime Score Celtics 62 Nuggets 53
Celtics Thompson, KC Jones, Sam Jones
Nuggets Gerard, Issel
Boston's lead sliced to 9, Denver showing some offensive flurry.
3rd
9 Celtics 68 Nuggets 67
Celtics Russell, Havlicek, KC Jones
Nuggets Thompson, Simpson, Issel(3) Jones, Gerard(3) Williams
6 Celtics 75 Nuggets 74
Celtics Bonham, Havlicek(3) Russell
Nuggets Thompson(3) Thompson, Thompson
Denver's come all the way back; 9 points for David Thompson to open the quarter.
3 Nuggets 86 Celtics 83
Celtics Sanders, Havlicek, Havlicek, Siegfried
Nuggets Williams, Williams, Jones, Beck, Terry, Issel
3rd Qtr Score Celtics 92 Nuggets 92
Celtics KC Jones, Sam Jones, Havlicek(3) Sam Jones
Nuggets Gerard, Issel, Thompson
Whew. What a game. 7 more for Havlicek and we are in a flat footed tie.
4th
11:50 BOS: Set play for Russell, who scores from the paint.
11:00: BOS: The Nuggets get multiple shots - missing them all, Bonham hits a FT.
9:52: DEN: Both sides miss, Bobby Jones gets a putback.
9:39: BOS: Hondo with the floater.
9:32: DEN: David Thompson hits a midrange.
9:26: BOS: Bonham, in for Sam Jones, hits a long 2.
9:19: DEN: John Thompson, giving Russell a blow, fouls Issel, who hits 1. Celts by 2.
9:15: BOS: Satch Sanders from the foul line.
8:57: DEN: Chuck Williams from the top of the key.
8:31: DEN: Bobby Jones gets a steal, Gus Gerard hits a 12 footer and it's 101-101
8:17: BOS: John Thompson muscles up and scores. Russell checks back in. Celtic starters on the floor.
7:52: DEN: The bank is open for Ralph Simpson. Tied.
7:30: BOS: As the shot clock nears expiration, Havlicek comes through with the contested 2.
7:17: DEN: Marvin Webster's in for Issel and he drills the jump hook. Tied.
6:40: BOS: Boston misses twice, but Russell comes through with big offensive rebounds and Sam Jones converts. Heinsohn for Sanders. Nuggets 5 starters now all check in.
6:33: DEN: Bobby Jones high off glass.
5:37: BOS: Empty trips both ways leads to a deep 3 from KC Jones.
5:20 DEN: Bobby Jones from the paint.
4:59: DEN: Simpson strips Sam Jones, Chuck Williams hits the midrange and Denver goes up.
4:48: BOS: Russell powers one home.
4:33: DEN: Bobby Jones in traffic.
4:02: DEN: Heinsohn misses and Issel doesn't - Denver by 3.
3:28: BOS: Sam Jones fadeaway.
3:20: DEN: Issel down low.
2:28: DEN: Boston can't find the basket - but David Thompson can and it's 119-114.
2:02: DEN: Issel blocks Russel and Thompson dunks one home and that might do it.
1:48: BOS: Issel fouls Russell, who hits 1.
1:01: BOS: Denver misses, Havlicek converts the other way, 121-117.
:45 DEN: The Celts decide not to foul - and Issel makes them pay, Chuck Williams misses, but it's Issel who gets the putback and that will do it - Denver will eliminate the Celts.
:17: DEN Issel 2 FT
:08 DEN: Issel 1 FT
Final: Denver 126 Boston 117
The upsets keep coming in Region 7, the 13 knocking off the 4 in two straight. The legendary Celtics title teams continue to fall. Bill Russell had 27 boards in the loss.
Jones: 24 pts/15 boards/5 blocks - Player of the Game
Issel: 23 pts/16 boards
Thompson: 23 pts/8 boards/8 assists
Simpson: 10 pts/7 assists
Williams: 14 pts/5 assists
Webster: 10 pts/7 boards
Beck: 11 pts
All Region Team
C Walton ('77 Blazers)
F Lucas ('77 Blazers)
F Jones ('76 Nuggets)
G Curry ('16 Warriors)
G Thompson ('16 Warriors)
