Ep 1. 1971 NBA Finals Game 1
- April 21, 1971
In the season 2 premiere of NBA, viewers are taken back to 1971 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks. This classic matchup featured two powerhouse teams led by legendary players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Willis Reed, and Walt Frazier.
The episode begins by setting the stage for the game, highlighting the dominant regular seasons that both teams had leading up to the Finals. The Lakers finished the season with a record of 48-34 and were led by Chamberlain, West, and Gail Goodrich, while the Knicks finished with a record of 52-30 and were led by Reed, Frazier, and Dave DeBusschere. The two teams had never faced each other in the Finals before, making this matchup even more exciting for fans.
The broadcast then shifts to the game itself, which took place on April 27, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The atmosphere is electric as the two teams take the court, with fans of both sides cheering loudly for their respective teams. The Lakers strike first, with Chamberlain scoring the opening basket of the game, but the Knicks quickly respond with a run of their own to take the lead.
Throughout the first half, both teams play tough defense and trade buckets back and forth. The Lakers struggle to contain Reed, who scores 21 points in the first half despite playing through a leg injury. The Knicks take a slim lead into halftime, up 58-56.
The second half is a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to pull away. The Lakers rely heavily on Chamberlain, while the Knicks continue to get contributions from their whole team, including Frazier and DeBusschere. Chamberlain and West lead a late surge for the Lakers, tying the game at 100 with just over two minutes left to play.
What follows is an intense final stretch of basketball, with both teams trading free throws and missed shots. With just seconds left on the clock and the game tied at 102, the Knicks have possession of the ball. After a missed shot by Frazier, Reed grabs the offensive rebound, scoring a put-back basket to give the Knicks a two-point lead with just one second left on the clock.
The Lakers are unable to score on their final possession, and the Knicks hold on to win Game 1 by a score of 103-101. Reed finishes with a game-high 37 points and is named the player of the game, despite playing through his injury. The episode ends with a look back at the highlights of the game, as well as interviews with players and coaches from both teams.
Overall, NBA season 2 episode 1 is a thrilling look back at one of the most iconic games in NBA Finals history. Fans of both teams will appreciate the attention to detail and in-depth analysis of the game, while younger viewers will enjoy seeing some of the sport's biggest stars in action during a different era of basketball.