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.
This edition of Sixers history takes us back to 1982 when Philadelphia entered the Boston Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals looking to earn a series split before shifting over to Philadelphia. The Celtics had won Game 1 easily, but the Sixers were determined to turn the tables in Game 2 led by the good doctor and the rest of the crew.
May 12, 1982
Boston had won Game 1 by 30 points. It was just too easy for them. Larry Bird had a triple-double, Robert Parish added 24 points, and Kevin McHale and Rick Robey were huge off the bench. The Sixers had no clue how to stop Bird and that is why Game 2 was so important. They needed to find an answer.
They found that answer in the form of Julius Erving and Andrew Toney. The doctor had 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in support of 30 points from Toney and the Sixers emerged with a 121-113 win to tie the series at 1-1. This time, it was Boston looking confused as to how to stop Erving and Toney and they were now searching for answers.
The Sixers would then take a 3-1 lead before Boston stormed back to force a Game 7, but that is for another day. For now, reminisce on the Sixers of the early ’80s and how great those Sixers were. [lawrence-related id=30906,30898,30888]