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 take things back to 1985 where the Sixers found themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals against their rival Boston Celtics and facing elimination. Two years removed from their championship in 1983, the Sixers were looking to get back to the Finals, but they found themselves down 0-3 against Larry Bird and the rest of the Celtics. So, they faced the prospect of getting eliminated at home, but they rallied to force another game.
May 19, 1985
Boston was in complete control of this series. Bird, Dennis Johnson, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish were too much for Philadelphia to handle in this series and it was tough to ask rookie Charles Barkley to produce against future Hall of Famers like that. However, for one night at least, the Sixers got the job done.
Andrew Toney came to the rescue as he scored 26 points to lead Philadelphia and help fill in for a struggling Julius Erving who shot just 4-for-21 on the night. Maurice Cheeks added 22 points, Moses Malone added 21 and 13 rebounds, and Barkley had 15 and 20 rebounds in a 115-104 win to force a Game 5. Bobby Jones also added 14 points off the bench.
Unfortunately, the Sixers did fall in Game 5 as their comeback attempt fell short pretty quickly, but for one night, they were able to come out on top. It was also good for Barkley to get that playoff experience at such a young age. [lawrence-related id=31222,31215,31207]