1984 NBA Finals: Celtics at Lakers, Gm 4 part 6/13

Game 4 - Celtics 129, Lakers 125 (OT)

The Lakers led by as many as 14 points in the first half and were up by six in the third quarter when the series turned on a single play. Kurt Rambis was going in for a breakaway layup when he was clotheslined by Kevin McHale, leading to a full-scale brawl. Less than two minutes later, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar started to fight and had to be separated by officials. Boston clawed back into the game and took advantage in the fourth quarter after Abdul-Jabbar fouled out. The Lakers missed four free throws in the final minute of the game, allowing the Celtics to force overtime. In the extra session, James Worthy scored 10 of the Lakers' 12 points, but Bird made a turnaround jumper with 16 seconds left to give the Celtics the lead, and eventually the win.

Bird finished with 29 points and 21 rebounds, making all 10 of his free-throw attempts. The Celtics were 31-of-37 from the free-throw line in the game, while the Lakers missed 13 of their 38 free-throws. In contrast to Game 3, all five Celtics starters scored in double figures. Despite fouling out late in the fourth quarter, Abdul-Jabbar led all scorers with 32 points. Magic Johnson posted his second consecutive triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists.

When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 38 on the list.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1984
• NBA
• Finals
• Celtics
• Lakers