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1928

Dick Schnittker is born in Kelleys Island, Ohio. In addition to starring on the basketball team at Sandusky High School, he also set numerous school records in track and field, and was so talented at football that he received a scholarship offer from Ohio State.

1957

Dave Greenwood is born in Lynwood, California. He led Verbum Dei High School to 39 consecutive wins and was named California Player of the Year as a senior.

Allen Leavell is born in Muncie, Indiana. He missed his entire sophomore year at Muncie Central High School while suffering from osteochondrosis in his arm so severe that doctors expected him to never recover full use.

1967

Alice “Ruthie” Bolton is born in Lucedale, Mississippi. She was the 16th of 20 children in her family, and was part of a starting lineup of all Bolton daughters that won a Mississippi state title for McClain High School.

NCAA All-American George McCloud is born in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The fifth FIBA World Championship tournament gets underway in Montevideo, Uruguay. The host Uruguayans get a bye to the second round while the other 12 teams play in first round competition. On the opening day, the United States defeats Italy 67-56.

1981

Julius Erving of the 76ers is named NBA league MVP for the ’80-’81 season, making him the only player to earn MVP honors in both the ABA and NBA.

1982

Despite an 11-day layoff from their last game, the Lakers defeat the 76ers 124-117 in game one of the NBA Finals. Norm Nixon and Jamaal Wilkes finish with 24 points each for Los Angeles.

1983

Amidst rumors that the franchise was going to be sold, Bill Fitch resigns as head coach of the Celtics after four seasons, one Coach of the Year award, and one NBA championship. He is soon after replaced by K.C. Jones.

1984

In the first ever NBA Finals match-up between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the Lakers steal game one in Boston, 115-109, behind 32 points from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Celtics rally to ultimately win the series in seven games.

1985

The Celtics defeat the Lakers 148-114 in game one of the NBA Finals, a result that was dubbed the “Memorial Day Massacre.” Despite the result, the Lakers recover to win the series in six games.

1994

Guillermo “Willy” Hernangomez is born in Madrid, Spain. His mother Margarita played professional basketball and won a EuroBasket title in 1993 with the Spanish national team.

1996

Michael Jordan drops 45 points as the Bulls return to the NBA Finals in his first full season back from retirement by defeating the Magic 106-101 in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals, completing a sweep.

1999

27 years after his jersey was retired by the franchise in front of a mostly empty arena, the Celtics honor Bill Russell with another jersey retirement ceremony, this time in a public ceremony at TD Garden. It’s co-hosted by Bill Cosby and Bryant Gumbel, and features in-person and video tributes from Wilt Chamberlain, Red Auerbach, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Bill Clinton.

2001

A much hyped Western Conference Finals ends with a dominant Lakers team blowing out the Spurs in game four 111-82 to complete a sweep. Derek Fisher leads the Lakers with 28 points.

2013

Tony Parker scores 37 points to lead the Spurs to a 93-86 victory over the Grizzlies in game four of the Western Conference Finals, completing a sweep.

2015

Stephen Curry leads the way with 26 points as the Warriors defeat the Rockets 104-90 in game five of the Western Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 40 years. James Harden commits an NBA playoffs record 12 turnovers in the game.

2016

LeBron James rips out the heart of Raptors fans again, finishing with 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Cavaliers clinch the Eastern Conference Finals in Toronto, with a 113-87 victory in game six.

2018

Facing an Eastern Conference Finals game seven on the road, LeBron James responds with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Cavaliers to an 87-79 victory over the Celtics.

2023

A Derrick White buzzer beater gives the Celtics a 104-103 victory over the Heat in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals, forcing a game seven. It’s Boston’s third consecutive win, marking the fourth time in NBA playoffs history that a team came back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the series. The Heat would go on to win game seven in Boston two days later.

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