2002
The Lakers finish off an exciting and contentious Western Conference Finals with a 112-106 overtime victory over the Kings in game seven. Shaquille O’Neal finishes with 35 and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, while shooting an impressive 11-of-15 on free throws. Kobe Bryant adds 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. In a series in which officiating was called into question, the Kings have only themselves to blame in this one, as they shoot just 16-of-30 from the free throw line, just 2-of-20 on three-pointers, and just 3-of-12 from the field in overtime.
1958
Al Wood is born in Gray, Georgia. In his senior year at Jones County High School, he was part of the inaugural McDonald’s All-American team.
1967
Kenny Atkinson is born in Northport, New York. He followed in the footsteps of seven older brothers by playing basketball at Northport High School.
1976
Earl Boykins is born in Cleveland, Ohio. A star at Cleveland Central Catholic High School, he was named the best Cleveland-area prep player of the ’90s.
1980
Bobby Simmons is born in Chicago, Illinois. After retiring from the NBA, he’s opened a clothing store and a nightclub in his hometown.
1985
During a 135-111 Lakers victory over the Celtics in game three of the NBA Finals, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar surpasses Jerry West as the NBA’s all-time leading career playoffs scorer, with his 4,458th point. Abdul-Jabbar would hold the record until 1998, when he was passed by Michael Jordan. He is still third on the all-time list, while West is still ninth.
1989
Isiah Thomas’ 33 points leads the Pistons over the Bulls 103-94 in the clinching game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan finishes with 32 points and 13 assists in the losing effort, while Scottie Pippen exits the game early due to a concussion suffered as a result of a Bill Laimbeer elbow to the head.
1993
Game five of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Bulls and Knicks comes down to the final seconds, with New York’s Charles Smith getting four consecutive shots blocked and Chicago emerging victorious, 97-94. Michael Jordan leads the way with 29 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds, as the Bulls take a 3-2 series lead.
1996
Shawn Kemp steps up big, outplaying Karl Malone with 26 points and 14 rebounds as the SuperSonics defeat the Jazz 90-86 in the winner-take-all game seven of the Western Conference Finals. Seattle advances to the NBA Finals for the first time in 17 years.
2000
The Pacers clinch the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history with a 93-80 victory over the Knicks in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Reggie Miller leads all scorers with 34 points.
2003
Larry Brown is named head coach of the Pistons, replacing the fired Rick Carlisle. Brown had spent the prior six seasons as coach of the 76ers before resigning. In his first season in Detroit, he led the team to an NBA title.
2007
Rookie Daniel Gibson is an unlikely hero, scoring 31 points off the bench as the Cavaliers defeat the Pistons 98-82 in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals, finishing off an unlikely upset and sending Cleveland to its first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.
2011
The Mavericks erase a 15-point fourth quarter lead to stun the Heat 95-93 in game two of the NBA Finals, finishing the game on a 22-5 run. Dirk Nowitzki has 24 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas, which ties the series at 1-1.
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