On this day, the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 89-81 in Game 6 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1987, where they would face the Los Angeles Lakers on their way to winning their 17th banner.
The Celtics beat the Pistons with 27 points and 8 rebounds from forward Paul Pierce, 17 points from shooting guard Ray Allen, and big man Kevin Garnett added 16 points and 6 rebounds.
Detroit led by as much as 10 points in the final frame, but ultimately could not hold it, the Game 6 loss in the Conference Finals their third such exit in three years.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Garnett said via ESPN. “Probably hasn’t even hit me yet because we haven’t slept in about four days, going on five days now. Going to the Finals, I’m just hoping to get some sleep.”