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 one takes it back to the 1983 NBA Finals with the Sixers in the middle of a championship battle with the Los Angeles Lakers. Philadelphia took care of business at home in the first two games of these Finals to get closer to a title, but the battle would not get any easier with the series shifting to Los Angeles. This is where the Sixers’ desperation for a title shines through.
May 29, 1983
With the series shifting to The Forum, it was expected that the Lakers would work their way back into the series. With Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the rest of a championship tested roster, it was assumed that Los Angeles would work their way into the series. However, Philadelphia was ready to squash those thoughts led by Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and the rest of a talented Sixers team.
Malone went to work in the paint scoring 28 points with 19 rebounds to lead the way, Erving had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Andrew Toney dropped 21 points in a 111-94 win in Game 3. Bobby Jones added 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Maurice Cheeks had 12 points, five assists, and four steals to help out. It was a dominant effort to move to within one win of a title.
Philadelphia has still only lost one game on this playoff run so far and being so close to a title now, they need to keep their focus and get the job done. Then, they can celebrate their accomplishments. [lawrence-related id=32325,32317,32300]