The 1985 NBA Playoffs
Relive the historic championship clash between the Lakers and Celtics, and explore the path to glory in this pivotal season.
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Playoff Overview
Championship Decided
The 1985 NBA Playoffs culminated in a legendary NBA Finals series. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers faced the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. In a highly anticipated matchup, the Lakers emerged victorious, defeating the Celtics 4 games to 2. This marked the Lakers' ninth championship title and notably, their first Finals victory over their storied rivals, the Celtics, after numerous previous attempts.
Finals MVP
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers was awarded the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This was his second Finals MVP honor, having previously won it in 1971 under his birth name, Lew Alcindor, during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks.
League Milestones
This postseason saw several notable team achievements:
- The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 1978 season.
- For the first time in history, all three Texas-based teams (Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs) secured playoff berths in the same year.
- The Denver Nuggets reached the conference finals for the first time since 1978, a feat they would not replicate until 2009.
- The Philadelphia 76ers reached the conference finals for the fifth time in six seasons.
Playoff Bracket
Visualizing the Path
The following table illustrates the progression of teams through the 1985 NBA Playoffs, from the first round to the NBA Finals.
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Key Series
NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
The defining series of the 1985 postseason was the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. This matchup held immense historical significance, as the Lakers had been repeatedly thwarted by the Celtics in previous Finals appearances. The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, finally overcame their rivals, securing the championship on Boston Garden's parquet floor. This victory was particularly sweet, breaking a long streak of Finals losses to Boston.
Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics vs. 76ers
The Eastern Conference Finals featured a compelling series between the top-seeded Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics ultimately prevailed, winning the series 4 games to 1. This victory secured their place in the NBA Finals against the Lakers. The series highlighted the dominance of the Celtics' core players during that era.
Western Conference Finals: Lakers vs. Nuggets
In the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the surprising Denver Nuggets. The Lakers demonstrated their superiority, defeating the Nuggets 4 games to 1. This series marked a significant achievement for the Nuggets, reaching the conference finals for the first time since 1978, showcasing their offensive prowess led by Alex English.
Participating Teams
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers, seeded first in the Western Conference, showcased their "Showtime" style throughout the playoffs. Led by Magic Johnson's exceptional playmaking and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's veteran leadership, they navigated the tough Western Conference bracket, ultimately defeating the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets en route to the Finals.
Boston Celtics
The dominant force in the East, the Celtics entered the playoffs as the top seed. Anchored by Larry Bird and supported by a strong cast including Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson, they advanced through the Eastern Conference, overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers, before facing the Lakers in the Finals.
Other Contenders
Notable teams that reached the later rounds included the Philadelphia 76ers (Eastern Conference Semifinals) and the Denver Nuggets (Western Conference Finals). The San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz also made strong showings in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Historical Context
The Lakers-Celtics Rivalry
The 1985 NBA Finals represented a crucial chapter in the legendary rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics. Prior to this series, the Lakers had lost seven NBA Finals matchups to the Celtics (1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) and again in 1984. The Lakers' 1985 victory, achieved on Boston's home court, was a significant turning point, demonstrating their ability to finally conquer their most formidable opponent.
Broadcast Innovations
The 1985 playoffs saw Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) become a significant broadcaster, airing select playoff games. This marked an expansion in media coverage, bringing the excitement of the postseason to a wider audience.
Cultural Intersection
An interesting anecdote from the Eastern Conference Finals involved a Phil Collins concert at the Philadelphia Spectrum. The playoff schedule necessitated the cancellation of the concert, as the arena was needed for the 76ers' playoff games. This event was noted by radio personality Charlie Van Dyke, highlighting the intersection of sports and popular culture.
Individual Accolades
NBA Finals MVP
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named the NBA Finals MVP. His performance in the championship series was instrumental in the Lakers' victory over the Celtics, capping off a remarkable career achievement.
All-Star Performances
While not specific to the playoffs, the season was marked by outstanding individual performances from stars like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Alex English, and George Gervin, many of whom featured prominently in the playoff matchups.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not reflect the most current statistics or official NBA records. It is not a substitute for official NBA documentation or analysis.
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