1988 NBA Finals: Pistons at Lakers, Gm 7 part 12/12

Game 7 - Lakers 108, Pistons 105

It took 24 playoff games, the most in NBA history at the time, but the Lakers became the first repeat champion since the Celtics won titles in 1968 and 1969 and the first team in NBA history to win three seven-game playoff series in the same season. This was also the first time in six attempts that the Lakers were able to win the seventh game of a championship series.

NBA Finals MVP James Worthy had the first triple-double of his career with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Joe Dumars led the Pistons with 25 points but their leader, Isiah Thomas, was hampered by his ankle injury and finished with just 10 points on 4-of-12 from the field in playing 28 minutes.

The Pistons held a 5-point lead at the half, but the Lakers outscored the Pistons 36-21 in the third quarter. The Lakers still were leading 90-75 in the fourth quarter, but the Pistons mounted a comeback and got to within 102-100 with over a minute left in the game. Magic Johnson and Byron Scott combined to hit three of four free throws to make it 105-100 with 40 seconds remaining. A Dumars basket followed by a Worthy free throw had the Lakers lead at 106-102. Bill Laimbeer hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 106-105 with 6 seconds left, but A.C. Green got free for a layup and the Pistons couldn't get another shot off.

When the NBA ranked the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments in conjunction with the league's 60th anniversary, Worthy's triple-double ranked No. 52 on the list.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1988
• NBA
• Finals
• Pistons
• Lakers

[landrykkb]

@bgiles26 I don't doubt most Piston fans in Detroit that summer were outraged,however.

[bgiles26]

@landrykkb True, but the summer of 1988 in the "D" was hot and long and the memory of the Pistons losing game 7 was hard for me to shake.

[landrykkb]

@bgiles26 The Pistons won back-to-back championships the following two seasons,so it's not as if they dwelled on this too long.

[bgiles26]

@MrSlik25 For years, I replayed the final seconds over and over. What if Isiah had attempted a 3 and made it. Would have made an interesting overtime. However, I came to the conclusion that Magic fouled Isiah but Isiah was only getting two free throws and since there was no time remaining, the Lakers would have still won the championship by 1 point. So the referees were like "why bother"

[MrSlik25]

@SNL76years That ending was definetly questionable...And the three Laimbeer hit with 4 seconds was huge!!! if they dont give up that layup at the end they have a huge chance to win!!!

[SNL76years]

There was still 2 seconds left, and people were rushin the court! Pistons didn't get a fair shot at the end. 

[NupeWD1993]

June 21, 1988---my greatest moment as a Lakers' fan!

[cbaldwinjr]

The last hurrah for Showtime