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 everybody back to the day the Sixers last brought home the Larry O’Brien trophy to South Philadelphia. The Sixers were in complete control with the Los Angles Lakers up 3-0 and now, they just needed to finish the job. While the Lakers have a lot of talent led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as well as Jamal Wilkes, Philadelphia just had a little bit more.
May 31, 1983
The tension at The Forum was thick. There was anticipation as anxious Lakers fans were hoping to see their team dig deep and continue to keep their season alive. They were the defending champions, after all, and their championship pedigree was expected to shine through. However, the Sixers were a team destined for a title in this one after coming up just short in previous seasons. This was their time.
Moses Malone had 24 points and 23 rebounds, Andrew Toney had 23 points and nine assists, Julius Erving added 21 points, six assists, and five rebounds, and Maurice Cheeks had 20 and seven assists in a 115-108 win to clinch the title. Bobby Jones added 13 points and four steals off the bench as well. Malone brought home Finals MVP honors while Erving captured that elusive title that escaped his grasp so many times in the past.
It was a terrific playoff run for Philadelphia and while it was not completely “Fo’ Fo’ Fo'” like Malone predicted, it was pretty darn close. They only lost one game in the playoffs on their way to the title. [lawrence-related id=32409,32393,32357]