1976 NBA Finals: Boston vs Phoenix Game 5

Game 5 was a triple-overtime classic that is considered by many to be the greatest game in NBA history. With the series tied 2-2, Boston took a huge lead at Boston Garden but could not hold it. The game was enhanced by several controversies, including Boston's Paul Silas trying to call a timeout at the end of regulation that Boston did not have (with the officials simply ignoring him lest the game be decided upon a technical foul shot), but eventually went to Boston in three overtimes, 128-126. Phoenix, in tying the game, overcame a 22-point deficit.

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[bballbigman9]

no homerism, simmons?

[chaunceu tomlinson]

simmons

[MrAmbassador11]

So? There were more players that cared about a championship then there are now. What does a dunk have to do with a championship? Lots of players dunk now and will leave the NBA without a title. But they do make the ESPN highlights....

[joesakic91]

Also, Paul Westphal is the only man to have been involved in two Triple OT games: a Suns player in 1976 vs. the Celtics and as the Suns head coach in Game 3 of the 1993 NBA Finals vs. the Bulls.

[dakruise1]

those gay nba shorts

[geocgeo]

Johnny Most describing the 1976 Finals Game 5, Suns at C's

The “Greatest Game Ever”, the C's overcame Gar Heard’s miracle game-tying turnaround jumper at the buzzer in double overtime and the C's win in triple-OT 128-126 . The longest game in Finals history gave Boston a 3-2 series lead.

8 players in the series went to be NBA head coaches. Paul Westphal, Pat Riley, Don Nelson, Dave Cowens, Paul Silas, Gar Heard, Dick Van Arsdale, and John Wetzel.

R.I.P. the great Johnny Most

[riversandrocks]

Thanks Trevor - yes the girls just sat there with there arms folded pretty much during all those great overtimes - I felt bad but having them over was not my idea - I did try to be nice but did not offer to turn off the game obviously

[Lawn Richard]

and not one dunk.

[phil83ish]

(1) There was still time left on the clock when the Suns chose to use the timeout in the 2nd OT.

(2) Silas appeared to begin signaling for the timeout at the end of regulation as the buzzer sounded, so technically there was no time left. You can't call timeout if there is no "time" left.

(3) The referees are not obligated to grant timeouts.

[master82565]

this is the best suns team ever

[The65chevelle]

I am a die hard Suns fan andWe may not have a championship but we have been so close and still have amazing moments to remember

[billny33]

I got the game on tape. The Suns raised their level of play during this game. Paul Westphal showed a ton of heart and made unbelievable shots. He was a man possessed. I felt like a lot of their comeback was his doing. Its not the first or last time a bad team raised their quality of play in the postseason. The LA Kings did it this year in hockey.