Havlicek Stole the Ball 50 Years Ago
John Havlicek stealing an inbounds pass to seal Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals is one of the most iconic basketball plays in history.
Leading Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers by one with just five seconds to go, the Celtics needed a defensive stop on their home court to advance to the Finals. Havlicek got a piece of the inbounds pass, redirecting it to Sam Jones, and Boston dribbled out the clock as time expired and fans rushed the court to mob Havlicek.
The Celtics went on to defeat the Lakers in 5 games for the NBA Championship, the seventh consecutive title in a series of eight straight.
The Celtics honored Havlicek during Tuesday night’s game against the Raptors, and you can relive (or live for the first time) the moment, and Johnny Most’s famous call, in the NBA produced video below.
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