The best of this day in NBA sports history. June 17. The Boston Celtics’ 17th NBA Championship, Patrick Ewing in the NBA finals, and four former ABA teams. What happened on this day in NBA history?
Boston Celtics 17th Championship
The Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA Championship, defeating the Lakers 4-2. Boston’s 131-92 victory in Game 6 is the most significant outright victory in NBA Finals history. After a tough first quarter, the Celtics dominated the rest of the game, holding a 25-point lead.
The defense, in particular, was at its peak, forcing the Lakers to commit 18 turnovers. A record for the Finals. At the end of the game, the 39-point deficit was the largest lead in a championship game, breaking the previous record, set by the Washington Bullets over the Seattle Super Sonics with 35 points in Game 6 of the 1978 Finals. Paul Pierce was named Finals MVP. Celtics guard Rey Allen tied the record for three-pointers in the Finals with 7.
Patrick Ewing In the finals
In New York’s 91-84 victory over Houston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Patrick Ewing tied an NBA Finals record with eight blocks. He shares the record with Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal. He also had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 blocks. Ewing dominated on both ends of the court, outplaying Olajuwon, who finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
The game was tied after three quarters, but the Knicks won the fourth quarter 30-25. Ewing’s record stood for 15 years until Dwight Howard blocked nine shots in the 2009 Finals for the Orlando Magic.
Four Former ABA teams
Four former ABA teams—Denver, Indiana, New York, and San Antonio—were officially admitted to the NBA, expanding the league to 22 teams and expanding its market size.
Final Thoughts: This Day In NBA Sports History-June 17
The league’s expansion has been taking shape for several years now. Adding the markets of San Antonio, Indiana, and the other cities to the league represented a strategic move to strengthen the league. Ewing, who for so many years represented the “Big Apple’s” young players, failed to win the championship because he was involved in an era dominated by the Chicago Bulls.
The “Big Three” formed by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen surpassed the duo of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. If you missed the last article entitled This Day In NBA Sports History, read about it here on June 16.
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