March 29, 1980
It's a milestone that carries residual benefits beyond compare, and if anyone had told you in August that the Celtics would clinch the Atlantic Division championship on the penultimate night of the season with Pete Maravich dribbling out the clock in Globetrotter fashion and then finishing the game by spiking the basketball, you would have inquired about the nature of those cigarettes he'd been smoking.
It's a milestone that carries residual benefits beyond compare, and if anyone had told you in August that the Celtics would clinch the Atlantic Division championship on the penultimate night of the season with Pete Maravich dribbling out the clock in Globetrotter fashion and then finishing the game by spiking the basketball, you would have inquired about the nature of those cigarettes he'd been smoking.
But that's how the Celtics polished off the relentless Cleveland Cavaliers last night, finishing strong to walk off with a 130-122 decision that gave them their first Atlantic Division title in four years and guaranteed the following: (1) The best record in the league, and thus the home-court advantage in all playoff games; (2) A first-round bye - that is, no mini-series; (3) That the team will not have to meet both Atlanta and Philadelphia in the playoffs; (4) At least a week off at a time when the team is battered physically.
The dramatic ending sent the crowd out onto Causeway street in ecstasy, for the Celts had watched a 14-point lead dwindle to four (114-110) with 4:24 to play. The momentum was clearly with the looser Cleveland team. It was a time for the Celtics to act like champions, and that's exactly what they did. The final burst began with Maravich sinking two free throws. Larry Bird rebounded a Bill Willoughby in-and-outer and Tiny Archibald - playing his third clutch flawless game in succession - dropped in two more.
At the 3:07 mark, Bird hit a crucial hoop, a 20-footer from the left that represented only the third Boston basket in five minutes of play. But the symbolic clincher was submitted by the duo of Archibald and Maxwell. Archibald switched off his man and stole the ball from Mike Mitchell. Rick Robey missed a lob fast-breaker, but Maxwell (23 points) followed the shot to give the Celtics a 124-112 lead with 2:34 remaining.
There were four winners of the game MVP award. Robey had a sensational 25- point, 14-rebound game. Maxwell had 16 points on second shots. Bird had 33 points. And Archibald had 12 assists.
See you in the playoffs.
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