Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 Moments from rivalry with Boston Celtics

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Celtics 83-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Celtics 83-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
2 of 2

5. 1984 NBA Finals Game 2: Gerald Henderson’s steal

With Boston down 113-111, LA had the ball with 18 seconds left in regulation. It seems like LA would up 2-0 in the series. Consequently, Worthy threw a cross-court pass that was picked off by Gerald Henderson and he scored the layup to tie the game. As a result, It went to overtime where the Celtics prevailed to tie the series up.

4. 1969 NBA Finals Game 7: Don Nelson’s lucky shot

Up 103-102 with 1:30 left, John Havlicek had the ball knocked away from him by Keith Erickson. It seemed like LA would get the ball with a chance to take a lead. Thereupon, it went towards Don Nelson and he shot the ball. It went off the back rim and in to effectively clinch the championship for Boston. As a result, Bill Russell walked off a champion.

3. 1985 NBA Finals Game 6: Lakers’ first vs. C’s

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists as he led the Lakers to their first ever championship against their rivals. Finally, the late Dr. Buss would say “this trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English language: It can never be said again that ‘the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.”

2. 2010 NBA Finals Game 7: Ron Artest’s title-clinching three

With 1:01 left, Kobe Bryant passed the ball to Ron Artest on the right wing and he knocked down a huge three that put LA up six. Certainly, that sealed another LA title over Boston. Above all, Kobe said that this title against the Celtics was the toughest and sweetest.

1. 1987 NBA Finals Game 4: Magic’s baby Sky Hook

Magic Johnson got the ball with seven seconds left guarded by Kevin McHale. Therefore, he took him to the paint and launched the baby sky hook over McHale and Robert Parish’s outstretched hand and swished into the net with two seconds left. On the contrary, Larry Bird would miss the game-winning shot at the other end and the Lakers survived Game 4 in Boston.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

In conclusion, these moments exemplifies how huge this historic rivalry is.

Schedule