The 1986 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics vs. the Houston Rockets featured the Celtics “Big Three plus One” in Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish along with Dennis Johnson against the Rockets “Twin Towers” of Ralph Sampson and Akeem Olajuwon….as each of these six players would eventually be induction into the NBA Hall of Fame.
Game 1 tipped-off at 1pm on May 26, 1986 at The Boston Gardens….home of the famous parquay floor….and finished in a 112 – 100 victory by the Celtics…..as Akeem The Dream scored 33 pts. and grabbed 12 rebounds with Robert Reid garnering 8 assists in the losing effort….while Bird and McHale had 21 pts each as Dennis Johnson pulled down 11 rebounds and Larry Legend had 13 assists for the winners….as Boston took a 1 – 0 series lead.
The “Twin Towers” Ralph Sampson and Akeem Olajuwon were saddled with foul trouble for much of the game….as Sampson got three quick fouls just 4:45 into the game and scored only two points; Olajuwon picked up five fouls despite scoring 33….with 25 coming in the first half. The backcourt tandem of Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge provided the third quarter spurt for the Celtics, combining for 22 points….while Boston held Houston to just 17 points in an expected victory.
This 1986 Celtics team might very well have been the best team of the Larry Bird era….featuring 6 Hall of Fame players and coaches….including players Larry Bird, Robert Parrish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Bill Walton….along with head coach K C Jones…..so, when you add the Rockets two Hall Members of Akeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson….this becomes a game and a series that is well worth watching over again.
