Remembering The 1981 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

One of the greatest rivalries and most dramatic playoff series in league history was the 1980-81 Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. That series redefined toughness and resilience, and these two Atlantic Division teams battled it out for seven games. Five of those games came down to two points or fewer. This series was really the true championship of that season, and it forced the Celtics to overcome a 3-1 deficit and set up a dynasty.

Entering the 1980-81 season, coach Bill Fitch had the Boston Celtics on the rise behind the formidable trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Despite the retirement of team legend Dave Cowens, Boston finished 62-20, tying for the NBA's best record, paced by Bird's 21.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game alongside a gritty defense.

The Philadelphia 76ers matched that 62-20 record, featuring high-octane talent in Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Bobby Jones, and Andrew Toney under coach Billy Cunningham. Seeking redemption after losing the 1980 NBA Finals to the Lakers, the Sixers aimed to return to the championship stage, led by Erving, who won league MVP that season.

Both powerhouses dominated early playoff action, with Philadelphia sweeping the Indiana Pacers 2-0 and outlasting the Milwaukee Bucks 4-3, while the Celtics earned a first-round bye before sweeping the Chicago Bulls.

The 1981 Eastern Conference Finals didn't just start as a series; it started as a slugfest. The Sixers drew first blood, walking into the Garden and stealing Game 1 with a gritty 105-104 win that set a physical tone. Boston didn't blink, though, storming back in Game 2 with a 118-99 blowout to even the score.

When the series shifted to Philly, the atmosphere got heavy. The Celtics were feeling the heat, and the 76ers smelled blood. Using their home court like a fortress, Philadelphia battled it out to a 110-100 win in Game 3 before squeaking out a 107-105 nail-biter in Game 4. That Game 4 win was built at the charity stripe. The Sixers absolutely lived at the line, outscoring Boston 29-13 on free throws.

Suddenly, Philly held a commanding 3-1 lead, and for the second year in a row, the Celtics were staring into the abyss of elimination. But this Boston squad had too much pride to roll over. Back home for Game 5, they trailed by 10 at the half and looked finished. Then Larry Bird happened. He exploded for 32 points, fueling a desperate rally to snatch a 111-109 victory.

The drama only ramped up in Game 6 back in Philadelphia. In another white-knuckle finish, Boston survived again, winning 100-98 behind massive performances from Tiny Archibald and Cedric Maxwell. By the time the dust settled on Game 6, the last three games had been decided by a combined total of just six points, setting the stage for one of the most legendary Game 7s in NBA history.

On May 3, 1981, a packed Boston Garden witnessed a fight to the finish, a Game 7 showdown that solidified its place as one of the greatest games in NBA history. It was a gritty, defensive battle. Just like the rest of the series, Philly came out swinging, holding a 31-26 edge after the first and a 53-48 lead at the break.

But the second half belonged to the Celtics, who tightened the screws on defense behind a furious rally from Parish and Bird. By the 1:03 mark of the fourth, the game was knotted at 89. Then came the turning point: a Celtics forced turnover set the stage for Larry Bird, who banked in a shot to break the tie, 91-89.

The final seconds were pure chaos. Maurice Cheeks drew a foul but split his free throws, leaving the door open for Boston. After a missed Celtics shot, the Sixers had one last breath with one second left. Bobby Jones' inbound lob to Dr. J fell short, sailing off the backboard as time expired. As the Garden faithful stormed the court, the box score told the tale: a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double for Bird, offsetting a 23-point effort from Erving to send Boston to the Finals.

In closing, the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals brought NBA fans one of the most intense rivalries in sports history. Boston used the comeback momentum and went on to beat the Houston Rockets in the 1981 NBA Finals, launching the "Big Three" era and the Celtics dynasty.

For Philly, this was a brutal end to their season. However, they took those tough losses and learned from them quickly. The Sixers eventually traded for Moses Malone in 1982, and this move helped them finally get by Boston, but they still went on to lose the championship to the Lakers. The 76ers matched up with Los Angeles again in 1983 and swept them for the title. The 1981 series still remains the benchmark of epic competition, and it's still brought up as one of the best playoff series of all time.