1.05.2009

1985-86 Celtics Stave Off Fifth Consecutive Road Loss

December 1985

The Celtics were flirting with the prospect of a fifth consecutive road loss Saturday night. Bump-and-run Adrian Dantley had 39 points, Boston had blown a 13-point second-half lead, and Dennis Johnson missed two free throws with 17 seconds left that would have iced the game against the Utah Jazz.

Leading, 110-108, the Celtics braced themselves for Utah's final shot. Everybody figured Dantley would get the call. Instead, rookie Karl (The Mailman) Malone attempted a one-handed runner that caromed off the rim and into the hands of Larry Bird with two seconds left. Ball game.

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