1984 NBA Finals – Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers This seven-game war reignited the NBA’s defining rivalry and saved the league from obscurity. Larry Bird’s Celtics outlasted Magic Johnson’s Lakers 4–3 in a physical, emotionally charged series featuring the infamous “Heat Game” (Game 5) played in 97°F conditions at Boston Garden. Bird averaged 27.4 points and 14 rebounds, earning MVP, while Magic struggled with turnovers but showed flashes of genius. The series drew massive TV ratings, revitalized national interest, and set the template for East-West drama. Red Auerbach’s cunning met Pat Riley’s Showtime flair, blending old-school grit with fast-paced spectacle. For many, it marked the birth of the modern NBA—a fusion of personality, competition, and media magnetism that propelled basketball into mainstream culture.
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