Ep 6. 1980 NBA Finals Game 6

In the sixth episode of the eleventh season of the NBA, viewers are transported back to 1980 for one of the most memorable games in NBA history: Game 6 of the NBA Finals. This game is significant for several reasons, mainly because it marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one in the league.

The game pitted the Los Angeles Lakers against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers were led by the legendary Earvin “Magic” Johnson, while the 76ers had the talented Julius Erving, also known as “Dr. J”. The Lakers had a 3-2 lead in the seven-game series and could clinch the title with a win at home in Game 6.

The game started with the Lakers taking the lead, but the 76ers fought back and soon took a 29-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was more of the same, with both teams trading baskets and the 76ers maintaining a slim lead. However, the third quarter saw the Lakers make a surge, outscoring the 76ers 35-20 to take a commanding 87-75 lead going into the fourth quarter.

But the game was far from over. The 76ers refused to go down without a fight and made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter. Led by Dr. J, the 76ers slowly chipped away at the Lakers’ lead and eventually tied the game at 102 with just over a minute left to play.

What happened next is the stuff of legends. With the clock winding down, Magic Johnson found himself in possession of the ball and made a move that would change the course of NBA history. He drove to the basket and, with Abdul-Jabbar making a decoy cut across the key, he went up for what looked like a layup. But at the last second, he switched hands in midair and threw up a hook shot that went in, giving the Lakers a 104-102 lead with just five seconds left on the clock.

The 76ers had one last chance to tie the game, but their desperation shot missed its mark, and the Lakers won the game and the championship. Magic Johnson was named the series MVP, and the Lakers had won their first championship since 1972.

But perhaps more importantly, the game marked the beginning of a new era in the NBA. With the retirement of legendary NBA players like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West, the league was in need of new superstars to carry it forward. Magic Johnson’s performance in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals showed that he was more than capable of filling that void. He went on to win four more championships with the Lakers and became one of the greatest players in NBA history.

In addition to Johnson’s heroics, the game is also remembered for some notable performances by other players. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, while Jamaal Wilkes had 37 points and 10 rebounds. For the 76ers, Dr. J had 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Bobby Jones added 14 points and 5 rebounds.

Overall, Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals was a classic game that was a fitting end to an exciting series. It marked the beginning of a new era in the NBA, as Magic Johnson began to establish himself as one of the league’s greatest superstars. For basketball fans, it is a game that will be remembered for years to come.