Basketball is a fast-paced, energetic game where the score can change in favor of either team in a matter of moments (possibly multiple times). In the end of an even game, those of weaker natures faint and those of tougher natures at least tremble with their knees.
With the final siren, a kick from half court and the ball miraculously falls into the basket. Scoreboard shows three points for the lucky team and the score changes in their favor. Crowd goes wild (or falls to the floor). Histories like this are written on scoreboards all over the world.
The following chapters feature six endings to games that have shaped the history of the world’s most famous basketball competition – the American NBA. Enjoy!
Back in 1976, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns battled each other in the finals series. Boston was the favorite and led 2-0 on their home court after the first two games, however the Suns fared better in the next two games in front of their home crowd and the series was moved to the Celtics’ home court for the fifth game.
That meeting went down in history. It was decided in the third overtime, though the most dramatic moments came before the siren that ended the second overtime. 19 seconds left, and Boston was leading 109-106, then Phoenix managed to turn the score with two precise throws after several misses by the home team. Suddenly, with six seconds left, Suns led 110-109.
The home team, however, was able to counter and turn the score to 111-110 in their favor one second before the buzzer after a drive by John Havlicek. Then there was a scuffle on the court where referee Richie was attacked and the police had to intervene. As the situation calmed down, referees turned back the clock by one second and Boston was awarded a free throw due to a technical error by the visiting team. It was converted by the home team, taking a 112-110 lead.
Undisciplined spectators still crowded the court, though there was still one second to play. This was enough for Garfield Heard to level the game at 112-112. A crowd of 15,000, about to break out in euphoric cheers, had to wait a little longer. But in the third overtime, the Bostonians had the luckier hand, won 128:126 and led 3:2 in the series. And since they also won the sixth game on their opponent’s court, they were able to celebrate the title.
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