The 1986 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association’s 1985–86 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets by 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals….as Larry Bird was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time.
The 1986 playoffs marked the third time in four years that the Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals….but it would be their last appearance in the series until 2001. The Celtics avenged their 1983 sweep by sweeping the Bucks in four games.
As for the Philadelphia 76ers….this was the last time they would play in a Game 7 until 2001. After their first round loss to the Atlanta Hawks….the Detroit Pistons would advance past the first round in each of the next five seasons (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991)….which include all appearances in the conference finals, three NBA Finals, and two championships.
