On June 4th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1974 during the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. It was Game 6 of the series, and the Celtics were leading 3-2, with a chance to clinch the championship at home in the Boston Garden.
The game was a closely contested affair, with both teams trading leads throughout. However, in the final seconds, the Celtics found themselves down by two points. With just three seconds left on the clock, the Celtics inbounded the ball to their star player, John Havlicek.
Havlicek, known for his clutch performances, caught the ball near the baseline and quickly fired a shot over the outstretched arms of the Bucks' defender. The ball sailed through the air as the buzzer sounded, and the entire arena held its breath.
Miraculously, the ball swished through the net, tying the game and sending it into overtime. The Celtics, riding the momentum of Havlicek's incredible shot, dominated the extra period and went on to win the game 102-87, clinching their 12th NBA championship.
Havlicek's buzzer-beater is often regarded as one of the greatest shots in NBA Finals history, and it solidified his status as one of the most clutch performers the game has ever seen. The moment has been immortalized in basketball lore, with the radio call by announcer Johnny Most, who exclaimed, "Havlicek stole the ball!" as the Celtics celebrated their improbable victory.
The 1974 NBA Finals marked the end of an era for the Celtics, as it was the last championship won by the legendary duo of Havlicek and Dave Cowens. However, the memory of Havlicek's incredible shot lives on, and it remains a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport of basketball.
