Downed By Dr. J

The Celtics looked primed to repeat as NBA World Champions in 1982. The plan was on course after they dispatched the Washington Bullets in five games to open the playoffs. But then Boston ran into Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Maurice “Mo” Cheeks and second-year guard Andrew Toney of the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Though a well-fought battle throughout the series, the Sixers shocked the Boston Garden crowd in Game 7 with a 14-point victory, ending the C’s title run uncharacteristically early.