At last, redemption.
The Los Angeles Lakers waited a year, but the National Basketball Association title that eluded them last year is now theirs. They defied tradition, the homecourt advantage, 14,890 raving fans and most of all, the Boston Celtics in Sunday`s 111-100 victory to take the best-of-seven series four games to two.
They had lost in seven games last year to these same Celtics, most observers believing the West Coast flashes kicked it away more than Boston won it. They wouldn`t let it happen again.
They skillfully protected a lead they had built to 82-72 after three quarters, not letting the Celtics come within four the final quarter and thereby silencing a crowd waiting to explode. Down the stretch, it was L.A.`s two constants, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin ”Magic” Johnson who hit one big shot after another.
Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 29 points, while James Worthy contributed 28. Kevin McHale scored 32 for the Celtics before fouling out.
Even before they made the cross-continental journey for this Garden party, the Lakers knew what they were up against. Winning in this rickety old gym above North Station would be defying tradition at its best. It would be L.A. vs. the Celtics` players, their fans, the parquet floor and those 15 championship banners suspended in the rafters.
”It`s going to be wild there,” Abdul-Jabbar said.
The Celtics came out almost too intense, too intent on evening the series. Bird missed three of his first four shots, including a layup. The Celtics appeared tight, not handling the ball smoothly, not executing plays with their usual precision.
The Lakers finally capitalized on Boston`s early bout with the nerves by outscoring their hosts 9-2 midway through the first quarter to open up a 21-14 lead. The Celtics answered with a 10-2 spurt, taking their first lead of the game, 24-23 with :36 to go in the quarter. Despite shooting only 36 percent in the opening 12 minutes, the Celtics only trailed 28-26 after one period.
Attribute that to another superb performance from stellar Kevin McHale, without a doubt the Celts` most valuable player of the series. McHale led all scorers with 13 points and also pulled down a team-leading 4 rebounds. Boston only hit 7 of its first 22 shots before reaching that 36 percent mark after one quarter while L.A. hit 52 percent from the floor, led by Worthy`s 8.
The Lakers opened up the second quarter looking like their New England adversaries. They started with two airballs and a blown layup, but Boston fialed to capitalize. Abdul-Jabbar was whistled for his third foul with 6:54 to go in the second quarter and was replaced by Mitch Kupchak. Yet, the Lakers stayed right with Boston without their captain, led by Worthy and Johnson. Bird, who only scored two points in the first quarter, emerged with 10 this round and McHale had 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Worthy`s standout play in the quarter with Abdul-Jabbar on the bench was almost a symbolic ”passing on of the goggles,” as Laker coach Pat Riley has spoken of. Both wear sports goggles while playing, and more and more, when the big guy is either sitting or double-teamed, the Lakers are going to Worthy. Riley has indicated that when Abdul-Jabbar retires, Worthy will be the big scorer and main man inside.
The Lakers hung tough without Abdul-Jabbar and were tied at 55 at halftime. McHale led all scorers with 21 points and all rebounders with 10. Bird had 12 and Robert Parish 10. Boston only shot 42 percent for the first half while the Lakers hit 47 percent. Worthy with 16 points was the only Laker in double figures. Boston was winning the battle of the boards 30-21.
Abdul-Jabbar came out and hit his first two shots of the third quarter, making him 7-for-7 for the game. Two baskets by Worthy and one by Scott sparked the Lakers to a 65-61 lead.
The Lakers went on a 10-2 run to go ahead 73-63 midway through the third quarter, their biggest lead to that point. Los Angeles was more aggressive on the boards and outhustling Boston on the floor. Bird finally ended the Lakers` 8 unanswered points with a driving layup. But he missed the free throw after being fouled by Worthy.
