Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics verses the Houston Rockets took place at The Summit in Houston, Texas on June 1, 1986 before 16,015 fans….with a 3:30 pm tipoff….as covered by CBS Sports in a game that would be won by the Rockets in a score of 106 – 104….as Rockets “Twin Tower” Ralph Sampson would score 24 points with 22 rebounds….as teammate Robert Reid would dish out 9 assists to lead the Rockets…..while Celts F Kevin McHale scored 28 points….and Larry Bird led his team with a triple double of 28 points 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Rockets rallied from eight points down in the fourth quarter before escaping to a much needed two-point win at home….despite another third quarter meltdown….as Twin Towers Ralph Sampson and Akeem Olajuwon combined for 47 points and 30 rebounds….while Robert Reid added 20….wherein reserve guard Mitchell Wiggins’ tip in off an Olajuwon miss late in the fourth to put the Rockets ahead for good. The Celtics only managed one more shot in their final two possessions….a missed 5-footer by Robert Parish…..as Kevin McHale and Larry Bird both scored 28 points in the loss….but Bird was held to 3-for-12 shooting in the second half due to Reid’s defense.
CBS’ Brent Musburger and guest NBA Hall of Fame member George Mikan host At The Half with in depth analysis of the first half of play in Game 3…which is followed by CBS checking in with the completion of the 1986 Kemper Open golf tournament….which was won by Greg Norman….after which At the Half returns with Musburger and Mikan providing assessments of what needs to be done in the 2nd half to win the game.
