With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
We head back to the 2001 NBA Playoffs with this edition as the Sixers faced a Game 7 on their home floor against the Milwaukee Bucks. After taking a 3-2 lead, the Sixers were not able to close it out on the road as the Bucks found a way to respond and force this winner take all game for the right to head to the NBA Finals. The Bucks were probably the more talented roster, but then again, they did not have the best player in the series.
June 3, 2001
The scene was set at First Union Center. For the loser, it means the beginning of a long offseason of wonder and “what if?” scenarios. For the winner, it meant a trip to the NBA Finals and a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Big 3 for the Bucks stepped up in a big way scoring 20+ points each, but they did not get much help from anybody else and that was their downfall.
Meanwhile, Allen Iverson was spectacular. The 6-foot MVP went off for 44 points on 17-for-33 shooting with seven assists and six rebounds to lead the team to a 108-91 victory. Milwaukee had no idea about how to stop him and that seemed to be the theme for the majority of the series.
Along with Iverson’s big performance, Dikembe Mutombo poured in 23 points, 19 rebounds, and seven blocks while Aaron McKie had 10 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds and Tyrone Hill had 11 and 10 boards. Philadelphia got past a very good Bucks team, but waiting for them in LA is Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant so things will not get easier. [lawrence-related id=32509,32495,32486]