The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks Engaged in an Epic Playoff Series 35 Years Ago

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The Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics engaged in a heated playoff series 35 years ago. The “Eastern Conference Finals” game was one of the most exciting moments in NBA history, but its impact on sports history is also extensive.

The “celtics bucks 1987 game 7” is a series that happened 35 years ago. It was an epic playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.

On Sunday afternoon, the Boston Celtics will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It’s a series that many consider to highlight the East’s best two teams. The reigning champion Bucks will play the opening two games in Boston against a second-seeded Celtics squad that has improved dramatically in the previous three months.

This is the series that a lot of people want to watch. These two clubs faced off in a thrilling Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup in 1987 that had it all. If this year’s Celtics vs. Bucks showdown is anything like the 35-year-old clash, we’re in for a treat.

In 1987, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks faced battle in a historic playoff matchup.

Celtics-Bucks-1987-new-1024x691

Celtics-Bucks-1987-new-1024x691 During an NBA basketball game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts in 1987, Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics shoots against the Milwaukee Bucks. | Getty Images/Focus on Sport

In the second round of the NBA playoffs in 1987, the top-seeded Celtics faced the Bucks. Boston, led by future Hall of Famer Larry Bird, hoped to reach the NBA Finals for the fourth year in a row.

The Celtics got right to work right away, winning the first two games at home, despite having to stave off a spirited Bucks comeback in Game 2. Danny Ainge, who went 1-for-9 in the series opener, was also required for 30 points. In Boston’s 111-98 triumph, the Bucks shot badly as well, with Paul Pressey missing all 12 of his attempts and five-time NBA All-Star Sidney Moncrief shooting 1-for-3.

Following a 126-124 win against the Bucks in Game 2, the series switched to Milwaukee, where the Bucks needed to maintain serve. Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics, who missed Game 1 due to a foot ailment and only played a few minutes off the bench in Game 2, played 38 minutes in Game 3 as a reserve and scored 25 points.

Bucks center Jack Sikma was penalized for a violation with nine seconds remaining and his team leading 114-112 because he couldn’t get the ball in play within five seconds. The game was forced into overtime when Robert Parish made a jumper.

In the extra session, Ricky Pierce made a critical three-point play to give Milwaukee a 124-118 lead. The Bucks hung on for a 126-121 win to save the series.

In Game 4, the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks in a two-overtime thriller.

Kevin McHale of NBA TV asked me which Celtics game I’d want to break down with him – I went for the 1987 Game 7 Bucks-Celts because it’s my favorite Celtics squad of all time, I was there, it’s a great Boston Garden game, and it’s a defining game for both McHale and Jack Sikma’s careers.

Runs tonight at 7PM. @nbatv pic.twitter.com/AiIV6ojWDD

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 21, 2020

In Game 4, McHale was reintroduced to the starting lineup and played 56 minutes. He and Bird combined for 76 points, with Bird scoring 42. At the conclusion of regulation, Milwaukee’s backup center Paul Mokeski hit two crucial free throws to level the game at 117 each and send it to overtime.

After both teams scored 10 points in the first overtime, the Celtics held off the Bucks in the second to win 138-137, thereby ending the series. After all, the Bucks haven’t won in Boston in two years, and they need to win Game 5 to keep their playoff hopes alive.

According to United Press International, Mokeski noted after Game 4 that “all the clichés come out.” “With our backs against the wall, we have to focus on one game at a time and attempt to win in Boston.” We need to beat the Celtics three times in a row, which is no easy assignment.

“However, we don’t have an option.” If we lose the next game, we’re going to play golf. This is something I don’t believe anybody on this team wants to undertake this early.”

Bird, too, appeared confident as he returned home with a 3-1 series lead.

“They have to defeat us twice in the Garden, which no one has done in a long time,” Bird said. “And on Wednesday night, we’re going to play better than we did here.” At home, we always perform better. As a result, if they want to defeat us, they’ll have to step up their game.”

The Bucks stunned the Celtics in Game 5 and forced a seventh game.

This NBA/CBS opening of the Celtics vs. Bucks Game 7 from 1987 is still a classic.

CHECK OUT Dennis Johnson’s HARD FOUL on John Lucas at the 1:26 mark of this video.

NBA IN THE 80’s — No Babies Allowed💪🏽#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/NN0O9ZWDlq

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) October 4, 2018

Moncrief stepped up for the Bucks in Game 5 against the Celtics, scoring a career-high 33 points in a 129-124 victory.

According to UPI, Moncrief added, “This is the best I’ve felt since the first two weeks of the season.” “I’m in terrific condition and psychologically focused on the task at hand. I’ve made it my personal mission to be aggressive and seek out the shot.”

The Bucks not only pulled off the upset, but they also dealt a blow to the Celtics when Parish went down with an ankle injury with four minutes left. He finished the game with 30 points and 16 rebounds. McHale was still limping, and Bill Walton, the backup center, had missed the series due to a hairline fracture in his ankle.

Parish was out of Game 6, and the Celtics missed him a lot, as the Bucks won 121-111 to send the series back to Boston for a decisive Game 7. He came back for Game 7 and made a huge impact.

Parish had 23 points and a game-high 19 rebounds to lead the Celtics to a 119-113 win on the boards. The Celtics outrebounded the Bucks 57-27, which proved to be the difference in the game.

“A wounded grizzly is the most deadly animal,” McHale, who finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds, remarked. “We have enough wounds to last us a lifetime.”

Bill Walton Recalls His First Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Bloody Preseason Meeting and Michael Cooper’s Fingernails

The “1985 nba playoffs” is an epic series that took place 35 years ago. It was a rematch of the 1984 NBA Finals, which the Celtics won in five games. The Bucks were able to win game one, but the Celtics would go on to win the series in six games.

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