1987 NBA playoffs

The 1987 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1986–87 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. The Lakers earned their 10th NBA championship, and Magic Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP for a then-record third time.

1987 NBA playoffs

Dates	April 23–June 14, 1987
Season	1986–87
Teams	16
Champions	Los Angeles Lakers (10th title)
Runners-up	Boston Celtics (19th finals appearance)
Semifinalists	Seattle SuperSonics Detroit Pistons
← 1986 1988 →

A ticket for Game 2 of the 1987 Western Conference Semifinals between the Houston Rockets and the Seattle SuperSonics.

This was the last time the Celtics would appear in the NBA Finals until 2008. Boston only advanced as far as the Conference Finals twice in that stretch: losing the following year to the Detroit Pistons in six games and in 2002 to the New Jersey Nets, also in 6 games.

The Pistons appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals was the franchise's first (and their first Division/Conference Final appearance since 1962). It would be the first of five straight Conference Finals appearances for Detroit. They would make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1956 the following season, the first of 3 straight trips to the Finals (winning the last 2).

The Warriors & Pacers made their first playoff appearances since 1977 and 1981 respectively. The Pacers also won their first NBA playoff game, in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Hawks.

By beating Dallas 3–1, the Supersonics became the first #7 seed to defeat a #2 seed since the playoffs expanded to 16 teams in 1984. They reached the Western Conference Finals, where they were swept by the Lakers. As of 2016, they are the most recent team with a sub-.500 record (39-43) to advance as far as the conference finals. The 1989 & 1991 Warriors, 1998 Knicks and 2010 Spurs were the other 7th seeds to beat the 2nd seed.

One of the most memorable moments of the playoffs occurred in the final moments of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals when, with Boston down 107-106, Isiah Thomas had his inbounds pass stolen by Larry Bird, who passed to Dennis Johnson for the game-winning layup.

Main article: Celtics–Pistons rivalry

The only dent in the Lakers' run to the Finals came in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Warriors, when Sleepy Floyd scored a playoff record 39 points in the second half, with a record 29 coming in the fourth quarter, to seal a 129-121 win. Both records still stand.

Bracket

	1st Round					Conference Semifinals					Conference Finals					NBA Finals
	1	LA Lakers	3
	8	Denver	0
						1	LA Lakers	4
						5	Golden State	1
	4	Utah	2
	5	Golden State	3
											1	LA Lakers	4
	Western Conference
										7	Seattle	0
	3	Portland	1
	6	Houston	3
						6	Houston	2
						7	Seattle	4
	2	Dallas	1
	7	Seattle	3
																W1	LA Lakers	4
															E1	Boston	2
	1	Boston	3
	8	Chicago	0
						1	Boston	4
						4	Milwaukee	3
	4	Milwaukee	3
	5	Philadelphia	2
											1	Boston	4
	Eastern Conference
										3	Detroit	3
	3	Detroit	3
	6	Washington	0
						3	Detroit	4
						2	Atlanta	1
	2	Atlanta	3
	7	Indiana	1

Western Conference

Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

1st Round

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Denver Nuggets: Lakers win series 3–0

• Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 23): Los Angeles 128, Denver 95 (Magic Johnson hits an 88-foot shot at the buzzer to end the first half)
• Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 25): Los Angeles 139, Denver 127
• Game 3 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (April 29): Los Angeles 140, Denver 103

Regular-season series

Los Angeles won 5–0 in the regular-season series

November 7, 1986 Recap Denver Nuggets 116, Los Angeles Lakers 138 The Forum, Inglewood, California January 7, 1987 Recap Denver Nuggets 109, Los Angeles Lakers 147 The Forum, Inglewood, California February 18, 1987 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 128, Denver Nuggets 122 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado March 10, 1987 Recap Denver Nuggets 107, Los Angeles Lakers 143 The Forum, Inglewood, California April 5, 1987 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 126, Denver Nuggets 118 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings.

Previous playoff series[1]

Los Angeles leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1979 Denver Nuggets 1, Los Angeles Lakers 2 1979 Western Conference First Round 1985 Denver Nuggets 1, Los Angeles Lakers 4 1985 Western Conference Finals

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonics: SuperSonics win series 3–1

• Game 1 @ Reunion Arena, Dallas (April 23): Dallas 151, Seattle 129
• Game 2 @ Reunion Arena, Dallas (April 25): Seattle 112, Dallas 110
• Game 3 @ Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Seattle (April 28): Seattle 117, Dallas 107
• Game 4 @ Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Seattle (April 30): Seattle 124, Dallas 98 (Seattle becomes first 7th seeded team to eliminate 2nd seeded team since Playoffs moved to 16-team format in 1984.)

Regular-season series

Dallas won 5–0 in the regular-season series

November 6, 1986 Recap Dallas Mavericks 147, Seattle SuperSonics 124 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle December 13, 1986 Recap Dallas Mavericks 126, Seattle SuperSonics 109 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle January 2, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 107, Dallas Mavericks 117 Reunion Arena, Dallas February 4, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 94, Dallas Mavericks 124 Reunion Arena, Dallas March 11, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 117, Dallas Mavericks 130 Reunion Arena, Dallas

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Mavericks winning the first meeting.

Previous playoff series[2]

Dallas leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
1984 Dallas Mavericks 3, Seattle SuperSonics 2 1984 Western Conference First Round

(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs.(6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 3–1

• Game 1 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 24): Houston 125, Portland 115
• Game 2 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 26): Portland 111, Houston 98
• Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (April 28): Houston 117, Portland 108
• Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (April 30): Houston 113, Portland 101

Regular-season series

Portland won 3–2 in the regular-season series

November 18, 1986 Recap Portland Trail Blazers 115, Houston Rockets 111 (OT) The Summit, Houston December 19, 1986 Recap Houston Rockets 112, Portland Trail Blazers 115 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon March 8, 1987 Recap Houston Rockets 93, Portland Trail Blazers 119 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon March 26, 1987 Recap Portland Trail Blazers 104, Houston Rockets 119 The Summit, Houston April 6, 1987 Recap Houston Rockets 114, Portland Trail Blazers 108 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon

This was the first playoff meeting between the Rockets and the Trail Blazers.[3]

(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Golden State Warriors: Warriors win series 3–2

• Game 1 @ Salt Palace, Salt Lake City (April 23): Utah 98, Golden State 85
• Game 2 @ Salt Palace, Salt Lake City (April 25): Utah 103, Golden State 100
• Game 3 @ Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland (April 29): Golden State 110, Utah 95
• Game 4 @ Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland (May 1): Golden State 98, Utah 94
• Game 5 @ Salt Palace, Salt Lake City (May 3): Golden State 118, Utah 113

Regular-season series

Utah won 3–2 in the regular-season series

November 25, 1986 Recap Utah Jazz 106, Golden State Warriors 111 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California January 23, 1987 Recap Golden State Warriors 100, Utah Jazz 123 Salt Palace, Salt Lake City March 17, 1987 Recap Golden State Warriors 103, Utah Jazz 118 Salt Palace, Salt Lake City March 28, 1987 Recap Utah Jazz 110, Golden State Warriors 116 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California April 12, 1987 Recap Utah Jazz 109, Golden State Warriors 107 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California

This was the first playoff meeting between the Warriors and the Jazz.[4]

Conference Semifinals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Golden State Warriors: Lakers win series 4–1

• Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 5): Los Angeles 125, Golden State 116
• Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 7): Los Angeles 116, Golden State 101
• Game 3 @ Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland (May 9): Los Angeles 133, Golden State 108
• Game 4 @ Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland (May 10): Golden State 129, Los Angeles 121 (Sleepy Floyd's record 39-point 2nd half and 29-point 4th quarter)
• Game 5 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 12): Los Angeles 118, Golden State 106

Regular-season series

Los Angeles won 4–2 in the regular-season series

December 4, 1986 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 106, Golden State Warriors 116 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California December 7, 1986 Recap Golden State Warriors 100, Los Angeles Lakers 132 The Forum, Inglewood, California January 10, 1987 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 109, Golden State Warriors 124 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California January 15, 1987 Recap Golden State Warriors 109, Los Angeles Lakers 129 The Forum, Inglewood, California February 27, 1987 Recap Golden State Warriors 109, Los Angeles Lakers 121 The Forum, Inglewood, California March 3, 1987 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 114, Golden State Warriors 109 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California

This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning four of the first five meetings.

Previous playoff series[5]

Los Angeles leads 4–1 in all-time playoff series

1967 Los Angeles Lakers 0, San Francisco Warriors 3 1967 Western Division Semifinals 1968 Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Francisco Warriors 0 1968 Western Division Finals 1969 Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Francisco Warriors 2 1969 Western Division Semifinals 1973 Golden State Warriors 1, Los Angeles Lakers 4 1973 Western Conference Finals 1977 Golden State Warriors 3, Los Angeles Lakers 4 1977 Western Conference Semifinals

(6) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonics: SuperSonics win series 4–2

• Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston (May 2): Seattle 111, Houston 106 (OT)
• Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston (May 5): Seattle 99, Houston 97
• Game 3 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (May 7): Houston 102, Seattle 84
• Game 4 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (May 9): Seattle 117, Houston 102
• Game 5 @ The Summit, Houston (May 12): Houston 112, Seattle 107
• Game 6 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (May 14): Seattle 128, Houston 125 (Double-OT; Hakeem Olajuwon scored 49 points, with 25 rebounds and six blocked shots)

Regular-season series

Seattle won 4–1 in the regular-season series

December 6, 1986 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 136, Houston Rockets 80 The Summit, Houston December 18, 1986 Recap Houston Rockets 100, Seattle SuperSonics 114 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle January 3, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 114, Houston Rockets 138 The Summit, Houston March 7, 1987 Recap Houston Rockets 115, Seattle SuperSonics 118 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle March 10, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 136, Houston Rockets 127 (2OT) The Summit, Houston

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning the first meeting.

Previous playoff series[6]

Seattle leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
1982 Houston Rockets 1, Seattle SuperSonics 2 1982 Western Conference First Round

Conference Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonics: Lakers win series 4–0

• Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 16): Los Angeles 92, Seattle 87
• Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 19): Los Angeles 112, Seattle 104
• Game 3 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (May 23): Los Angeles 122, Seattle 121 (Michael Cooper's game-saving block on Dale Ellis with 35 seconds left)
• Game 4 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (May 25): Los Angeles 133, Seattle 102

Regular-season series

Los Angeles won 4–2 in the regular-season series

November 4, 1986 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 110, Seattle SuperSonics 96 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle November 12, 1986 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 97, Los Angeles Lakers 122 The Forum, Inglewood, California January 28, 1987 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 101, Seattle SuperSonics 125 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle March 4, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 124, Los Angeles Lakers 138 The Forum, Inglewood, California April 2, 1987 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 117, Seattle SuperSonics 114 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle April 19, 1987 Recap Seattle SuperSonics 110, Los Angeles Lakers 104 The Forum, Inglewood, California

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning two of the first three meetings.

Previous playoff series[7]

Seattle leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series
1978 Los Angeles Lakers 1, Seattle SuperSonics 2 1978 Western Conference First Round 1979 Los Angeles Lakers 1, Seattle SuperSonics 4 1979 Western Conference Semifinals 1980 Los Angeles Lakers 4, Seattle SuperSonics 1 1980 Western Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

Champion: Boston Celtics

1st Round

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Chicago Bulls: Celtics win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ Boston Garden, Boston (April 23): Boston 108, Chicago 104
• Game 2 @ Boston Garden, Boston (April 26): Boston 105, Chicago 96
• Game 3 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (April 28): Boston 105, Chicago 94

Regular-season series

Boston won 6–0 in the regular-season series

November 14, 1986 Recap Boston Celtics 110, Chicago Bulls 98 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois January 2, 1987 Recap Chicago Bulls 99, Boston Celtics 113 Boston Garden, Boston January 27, 1987 Recap Boston Celtics 105, Chicago Bulls 97 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois January 28, 1987 Recap Chicago Bulls 103, Boston Celtics 132 Boston Garden, Boston March 27, 1987 Recap Boston Celtics 111, Chicago Bulls 106 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois April 17, 1987 Recap Chicago Bulls 105, Boston Celtics 108 Boston Garden, Boston

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first two meetings.

Previous playoff series[8]

Boston leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1981 Boston Celtics 4, Chicago Bulls 0 1981 Eastern Conference Semifinals 1986 Boston Celtics 3, Chicago Bulls 0 1986 Eastern Conference First Round

(2) Atlanta Hawks vs. (7) Indiana Pacers: Hawks win series 3-1

• Game 1 @ The Omni, Atlanta (April 24): Atlanta 110, Indiana 94
• Game 2 @ The Omni, Atlanta (April 26): Atlanta 94, Indiana 93
• Game 3 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (April 29): Indiana 96, Atlanta 87
• Game 4 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 1): Atlanta 101, Indiana 97

Regular-season series

Tied 3–3 in the regular-season series

December 5, 1986 Recap Atlanta Hawks 113, Indiana Pacers 119 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis January 27, 1987 Recap Indiana Pacers 98, Atlanta Hawks 114 The Omni, Atlanta February 20, 1987 Recap Indiana Pacers 107, Atlanta Hawks 105 The Omni, Atlanta March 3, 1987 Recap Atlanta Hawks 109, Indiana Pacers 108 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis March 28, 1987 Recap Indiana Pacers 120, Atlanta Hawks 114 The Omni, Atlanta April 13, 1987 Recap Atlanta Hawks 102, Indiana Pacers 101 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis

This was the first playoff meeting between the Hawks and the Pacers.[9]

(3) Detroit Pistons vs. (6) Washington Bullets: Pistons win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (April 24): Detroit 106, Washington 92
• Game 2 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (April 26): Detroit 128, Washington 85
• Game 3 @ Capital Centre, Landover (April 29): Detroit 97, Washington 96

Regular-season series

Tied 3–3 in the regular-season series

November 5, 1986 Recap Washington Bullets 85, Detroit Pistons 109 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan November 19, 1986 Recap Detroit Pistons 105, Washington Bullets 119 Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland December 12, 1986 Recap Washington Bullets 116, Detroit Pistons 115 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan December 27, 1986 Recap Detroit Pistons 107, Washington Bullets 105 Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland January 29, 1987 Recap Washington Bullets 101, Detroit Pistons 112 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan April 12, 1987 Recap Detroit Pistons 98, Washington Bullets 103 Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland

This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Bullets.[10]

(4) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (5) Philadelphia 76ers: Bucks win series 3-2

• Game 1 @ The MECCA, Milwaukee (April 24): Milwaukee 107, Philadelphia 104
• Game 2 @ The MECCA, Milwaukee (April 26): Philadelphia 125, Milwaukee 122 (OT)
• Game 3 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (April 29): Milwaukee 121, Philadelphia 120 (Jack Sikma gets his shot blocked, jumps back up, catches the ball in mid-air and line-drives it in with 2 seconds left for the game-winner.)
• Game 4 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (May 1): Philadelphia 124, Milwaukee 118
• Game 5 @ The MECCA, Milwaukee (May 3): Milwaukee 102, Philadelphia 89 (Julius Erving's final NBA game)

Regular-season series

Philadelphia won 3–2 in the regular-season series

November 5, 1986 Recap Milwaukee Bucks 101, Philadelphia 76ers 107 Spectrum, Philadelphia December 3, 1986 Recap Milwaukee Bucks 110, Philadelphia 76ers 115 (OT) Spectrum, Philadelphia December 16, 1986 Recap Philadelphia 76ers 91, Milwaukee Bucks 103 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee March 21, 1987 Recap Philadelphia 76ers 105, Milwaukee Bucks 102 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin April 15, 1987 Recap Philadelphia 76ers 95, Milwaukee Bucks 128 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning four of the first six meetings.

Previous playoff series[11]

Philadelphia leads 4–2 in all-time playoff series

1970 Milwaukee Bucks 4, Philadelphia 76ers 1 1970 Eastern Division Semifinals 1981 Milwaukee Bucks 3, Philadelphia 76ers 4 1981 Eastern Conference Semifinals 1982 Milwaukee Bucks 2, Philadelphia 76ers 4 1982 Eastern Conference Semifinals 1983 Milwaukee Bucks 1, Philadelphia 76ers 4 1983 Eastern Conference Finals 1985 Milwaukee Bucks 0, Philadelphia 76ers 4 1985 Eastern Conference Semifinals 1986 Milwaukee Bucks 4, Philadelphia 76ers 3 1986 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Conference Semifinals

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (4) Milwaukee Bucks: Celtics win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 5): Boston 111, Milwaukee 98
• Game 2 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 6): Boston 127, Milwaukee 124
• Game 3 @ The MECCA, Milwaukee (May 8): Milwaukee 126, Boston 121 (OT)
• Game 4 @ The MECCA, Milwaukee (May 10): Boston 138, Milwaukee 137 (OT)
• Game 5 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 13): Milwaukee 129, Boston 124
• Game 6 @ The MECCA, Milwaukee (May 15): Milwaukee 121, Boston 111
• Game 7 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 17): Boston 119, Milwaukee 113

Regular-season series

Tied 3–3 in the regular-season series

November 1, 1986 Recap Boston Celtics 105, Milwaukee Bucks 111 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee November 12, 1986 Recap Milwaukee Bucks 116, Boston Celtics 124 Boston Garden, Boston December 20, 1986 Recap Boston Celtics 100, Milwaukee Bucks 120 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee January 7, 1987 Recap Milwaukee Bucks 92, Boston Celtics 119 Boston Garden, Boston March 17, 1987 Recap Boston Celtics 115, Milwaukee Bucks 123 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee March 18, 1987 Recap Milwaukee Bucks 102, Boston Celtics 120 Boston Garden, Boston

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning three of the first four meetings.

Previous playoff series[12]

Boston leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series
1974 Boston Celtics 4, Milwaukee Bucks 3 1974 NBA Finals 1983 Boston Celtics 0, Milwaukee Bucks 4 1983 Eastern Conference Semifinals 1984 Boston Celtics 4, Milwaukee Bucks 1 1984 Eastern Conference Finals 1986 Boston Celtics 4, Milwaukee Bucks 0 1986 Eastern Conference Finals

(2) Atlanta Hawks vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: Pistons win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 3): Detroit 112, Atlanta 111
• Game 2 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 5): Atlanta 115, Detroit 102
• Game 3 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (May 8): Detroit 108, Atlanta 99
• Game 4 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (May 10): Detroit 89, Atlanta 88 (Isiah Thomas makes the game-winning layup with 1 second left)
• Game 5 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 13): Detroit 104, Atlanta 96

Regular-season series

Tied 3–3 in the regular-season series

November 14, 1986 Recap Atlanta Hawks 105, Detroit Pistons 100 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan December 16, 1986 Recap Detroit Pistons 111, Atlanta Hawks 100 The Omni, Atlanta January 19, 1987 Recap Atlanta Hawks 98, Detroit Pistons 108 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan February 17, 1987 Recap Detroit Pistons 103, Atlanta Hawks 107 The Omni, Atlanta February 21, 1987 Recap Atlanta Hawks 97, Detroit Pistons 102 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan April 10, 1987 Recap Detroit Pistons 99, Atlanta Hawks 101 The Omni, Atlanta

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning three of the first four meetings.

Previous playoff series[13]

Atlanta leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series
1956 Fort Wayne Pistons 3, St. Louis Hawks 2 1956 Western Division Finals 1958 Detroit Pistons 1, St. Louis Hawks 4 1958 Western Division Finals 1963 Detroit Pistons 1, St. Louis Hawks 3 1963 Western Division Semifinals 1986 Atlanta Hawks 3, Detroit Pistons 1 1986 Eastern Conference First Round

Conference Finals

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: Celtics win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 19): Boston 104, Detroit 91
• Game 2 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 21): Boston 110, Detroit 101
• Game 3 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (May 23): Detroit 122, Boston 104
• Game 4 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (May 24): Detroit 145, Boston 119
• Game 5 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 26): Boston 108, Detroit 107 (Larry Bird steals Isiah Thomas' inbound pass and gives the ball to Dennis Johnson, who hits the game-winning lay-up with 1 second left)
• Game 6 @ Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac (May 28): Detroit 113, Boston 105
• Game 7 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 30): Boston 117, Detroit 114

Regular-season series

Boston won 3–2 in the regular-season series

November 15, 1986 Recap Boston Celtics 118, Detroit Pistons 111 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan January 10, 1987 Recap Boston Celtics 101, Detroit Pistons 118 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan March 1, 1987 Recap Detroit Pistons 102, Boston Celtics 112 Boston Garden, Boston March 8, 1987 Recap Boston Celtics 119, Detroit Pistons 122 (OT) Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan April 3, 1987 Recap Detroit Pistons 115, Boston Celtics 119 (OT) Boston Garden, Boston

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first two meetings.

Previous playoff series[14]

Boston leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1968 Boston Celtics 4, Detroit Pistons 2 1968 Eastern Division Semifinals 1985 Boston Celtics 4, Detroit Pistons 2 1985 Eastern Conference Semifinals

NBA Finals

Main article: 1987 NBA Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (1) Boston Celtics Lakers win series 4-2

• Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (June 2): Los Angeles 126, Boston 113
• Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (June 4): Los Angeles 141, Boston 122 (Michael Cooper hits six 3-pointers)
• Game 3 @ Boston Garden, Boston (June 7): Boston 109, Los Angeles 103
• Game 4 @ Boston Garden, Boston (June 9): Los Angeles 107, Boston 106 (Magic Johnson hits the game-winning "Baby-Hook" with 2 seconds left)
• Game 5 @ Boston Garden, Boston (June 11): Boston 123, Los Angeles 108
• Game 6 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (June 14): Los Angeles 106, Boston 93 (Bill Walton's final NBA game)

Regular-season series

Los Angeles won 2–0 in the regular-season series
December 12, 1986 Recap Los Angeles Lakers 117, Boston Celtics 110 Boston Garden, Boston February 15, 1987 Recap Boston Celtics 103, Los Angeles Lakers 106 The Forum, Inglewood, California

This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning eight of the first nine meetings.

Previous playoff series[15]

Boston leads 8–1 in all-time playoff series

1959 Boston Celtics 4, Minneapolis Lakers 0 1959 NBA Finals 1962 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3 1962 NBA Finals 1963 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2 1963 NBA Finals 1965 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1 1965 NBA Finals 1966 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3 1966 NBA Finals 1968 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2 1968 NBA Finals 1969 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3 1969 NBA Finals 1984 Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3 1984 NBA Finals 1985 Boston Celtics 2, Los Angeles Lakers 4 1985 NBA Finals

References

1. "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
2. "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
3. "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
4. "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Utah Jazz (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
5. "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
6. "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
7. "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
8. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Chicago Bulls (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
9. "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Indiana Pacers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
10. "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
11. "Team Rivalry Finder — Milwaukee Bucks versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
12. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
13. "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
14. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
15. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.

External links

• Basketball-Reference.com's 1987 NBA Playoffs page