On this day in 1965, Boston Celtics legendary forward John Havlicek stole the ball.
In Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, Hondo — as Havlicek was called — made one of the most iconic plays in NBA history.
With just five seconds remaining and Boston holding a 110-109 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, Havlicek tipped an inbound pass to Boston’s Sam Jones, who then dribbled out the clock to secure the win.
Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most immortalized the event in his play-by-play calling that featured him shouting, “Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! It’s all over!” while the crowd went wild.
Boston would go on to win their eighth title in the Finals over the Los Angeles Lakers with the triumph.
It is also the anniversary of four wins since the season of the Celtics last championship.
The first was a 115-107 win over the Washington Wizards in 2009 as reserve guard Eddie House sunk five 3-pointers and the Wizard’s season with it.
“It might just help me” get another contract with Boston, House jested via the Associated Press.
The Celtics also beat the Charlotte then-Bobcats 94-82 in 2012 behind a huge game from point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Kentucky product had a 20-point, 16- assist outing to secure the win with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all resting for the postseason.
“Rondo said, ‘Hey, I’m ready for 48 [minutes],’ ” head coach Doc Rivers said courtesy of the A.P. “And I said, ‘There’s no doubt about that.’ He ended up with 42, which wasn’t bad.”
On this day in 2015, Boston held off the Milwaukee Bucks 105-100 to win their sixth in a row.
Reserve big man Kelly Olynyk was elbowed in the eye in the contest, and had to sit after getting five stitches to go with his 16 points. Filling in for ailing guard Avery Bradley was Luigi Datome, who scored a team-high 22 points.
Finally, The Celtics beat the Bucks again on this date in 2018, an overtime win in Game 1 of the first round of the East 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Big man Al Horford led Boston with 24 points and 12 rebounds, guard Terry Rozier added 23 points, and wing Jaylen Brown 20. Then-rookie forward Jayson Tatum chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds.
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