Game 7 between Boston and Milwaukee promises to be monstrous tonight (to follow live commented on the YouTube channel of TrashTalk) and it gives the opportunity to take a look at the history books. The Celtics have a record of 20 wins and only 5 losses when given a seventh inning. More like 20-6 or 21-5 at the end of the night?
As you can imagine, the two Game 7s are at the center of the news in the NBA and we are going to give you all the information you need to best prepare for this new crazy evening. At the end of the morning, focus on the history of Bill Russell’s darlings on Game 7. Sacred monster of the NBA, Boston is a big accustomed to these tense situations and the greens have often been able to pull out of the game. The Beantown men have played 25 Game 7s at home in their history and they have won… 20 of them. 80% win on a match of such stakes, it announces the color and Milwaukee finds itself facing a major challenge. Not enough to give up because, as explained just above, some teams have come back from Boston victorious. Come on, a little focus on the five teams that snatched a Game 7 in Massachusetts.
New York Knicks 1972-73
It’s not the most recent team, but it’s a dose of memories that will make the friends of the Big Apple smile. We are talking about the golden age of the Knicks, the time when the players in the orange jersey played for the title every season. This must seem particularly strange to the younger generation, but it is nevertheless true. In 1973, New York had to snatch a Game 7 at Boston Garden, the former mythical enclosure of the Celtics, to hope to join the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Not a walk in the park when you know that this 1973 version of Boston finished the season with… 68 wins, aka the fifth-best all-time record in a year. John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, there are (very) beautiful people in front too. However, it was Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Willis Reed and company who imposed themselves with style (94-78) on April 29 before quietly dominating LA in the final, which will offer a second banner at Madison Square Garden. The opportunity to remember that fans have been waiting for the precious sesame for almost 50 years.
Philadelphia Sixers 1981-82
Joel Embiid and the Sixers will not see the Conference Final but their elders liked to squat the last four between the mid-70s and the beginning of the 80s. In seven seasons, players from the city of brotherly love will play four NBA finals for a title. Among the big rivalries of the time, impossible not to mention the duels between Philly and Boston. Between 1979 and 1982, the two teams meet three times in the Conference Final and that gives legendary duels. We think in particular of the 81 postseason where Boston will find itself led 3-1 in the series before returning the Sixers and winning in Game 7 at home. I promise, Doc Rivers wasn’t around at the time. So we find ourselves in 1982 and there is revenge in the air. Like last season, Philadelphia leads 3-1 in the series and, like last season, we meet for Game 7 at Boston Garden. No disaster scenario this time for the Sixers thanks to the tandem Andrew Toney – Julius Erving who reigns over Beantown and quietly validates the qualification. This match will be known in particular for the chants of Boston fans, the famous “Beat LA” addressed to the Sixers.
Indiana Pacers 2004-05
The Pacers of the early 2000s are also a hell of a team. A few months after the sad story of the Palace of Auburn Hills, Indiana moves (without Ron Artest suspended) to Boston for a Game 7 in the first round of the Playoffs. This same duel had given a sweep a year earlier in favor of the farmers but it is the Celtics who have the advantage of the field for this new face-to-face. The Pacers may have quickly regained the advantage of the field, the duel is much tighter than expected. While Indiana has the opportunity to end the series at home in Game 6, the trio Paul Pierce – Antoine Walker – Ricky Davis tears up to force a Game 7 at home. Unfortunately for them, the Pacers will not make up the numbers for this decisive round. Carried by a diabolical address from the parking lot and a Stephen Jackson on fire, Indiana won without problem at the TD Garden and went to find the enemy Pistons in the second round.. For the record, this is the last series of Playoffs won by Reggie Miller. The all-time shooter will retire a few weeks later without a ring on his finger.
Orlando Magic 2008-09
The youngest will no doubt see Dwight Howard as a simple substitute pivot, but they will be gently reminded that the guy was monstrous between the end of the 2000s and the beginning of the 2010s. With his superstar under the panels, Orlando could dream of going to tickle the Larry O’Brien and Mickey’s pals must first overcome the Celtics hurdle. Just a year after his title, Boston returns in the postseason to validate the back-to-back, but fate does not favor Doc Rivers’ players. Without the injured Kevin Garnett, the Greens are nowhere near as dominant as the 2008 version. Jostled by the Bulls of young Derrick Rose in the first round and forced to go through a Game 7, the Celtics know that the Magic will be another pair of sleeves. However, they are not far from folding the case in 6 games but a huge D12 will help the Magic to return Boston in the money time. So we have to go through a Game 7 in Beantown. Would the champion’s heart make the difference at the most decisive moment? No whispers Hedo Turkoglu in our ear. The Turkish winger pulls off a masterclass (25 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, a crazy address) and Orlando sends the defending champion to Cancun. It will be necessary to wait a year before returning to the NBA Finals for the Big 3.
Cleveland Cavaliers 2017-2018
This is a series that should speak to a lot more people and, for good reason, it still seems very fresh in our minds. We recall the context a little: no Kyrie Irving, no Gordon Hayward for Boston but young people with very long teeth (Tatum, Brown, Smart, Rozier) guided by seasoned veterans (Horford, Morris) who thwart all predictions for treat yourself to an unexpected Conference Final. Opposite, an Everest stands in the way of the young Celtics, not a mountain but a number 23 who is on a mission. The King is more dominant than ever but he is also more alone than ever. Kyrie Irving gone, Kevin Love in big trouble, LeBron James must do everything to get an … eighth consecutive NBA final. We start on a series with a knife and each team is respected at home, no one seems to open the door to the opponent. Advantage of the field obliges, it is Boston which hosts Game 7. It will therefore take a feat for the native of Akron to join the Warriors and the star is not going to be in the lace. 35 points, 15 rebounds but also 9 assists later, LeBron puts an air conditioner on the TD Garden and makes a new appointment with the NBA Finals. He will have shot in almost 34/9/8 on the series… A monster.
5 examples out of 25 is clearly not a lot but it gives the Bucks some hope before going to challenge the Celtics in Boston tonight. Will they add an additional case to this list? Answer from 9:30 p.m.!