In game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics made one of the most iconic plays in NBA history when he stole the ball from Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons with just seconds left on the clock. This critical steal allowed the Celtics to hold on to a 1 point lead and go up 3-2 in the series. Let’s take a closer look at the details surrounding this legendary moment in basketball.
The Situation Heading Into Game 5
The 1987 Eastern Conference Finals featured a matchup between the defending champion Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons. Both teams had dominated their competition in the regular season and playoffs leading up to this crucial series. The Celtics held home court advantage, meaning they had the opportunity to play Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 at home if the series went the distance. After splitting the first two games in Boston, the series shifted to Detroit where the Pistons won Game 3 convincingly and the Celtics eked out a win in Game 4 to even the series at 2 games apiece. This set up a pivotal Game 5 back in Boston with the series hanging in the balance.
The Celtics Rely on Their Veteran Experience
The Celtics were led by a core group of legendary veterans. Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Dennis Johnson had all been instrumental in the Celtics’ 1981 championship and subsequent success throughout the decade. Their leadership proved invaluable as younger players like Reggie Lewis and Danny Ainge stepped into bigger roles. Head coach KC Jones could trust his veterans to stay poised under pressure as they had been through countless playoff battles together.
The Pistons Build Around Physical Defense
Detroit embraced a rugged, physical defensive identity led by Dennis Rodman, Rick Mahorn, John Salley and Joe Dumars. Their bruising style of play earned them the nickname “The Bad Boys.” While the Pistons didn’t have the championship pedigree of the Celtics, they did have Isiah Thomas, one of the most complete and electric point guards the NBA had ever seen. Thomas was flanked by fellow All-Stars Adrian Dantley and Bill Laimbeer in Detroit’s starting lineup. Head coach Chuck Daly instilled an attitude of toughness in his team that he hoped could unseat the more experienced Celtics.
The Stage is Set for Game 5
Game 5 took place on May 26, 1987 at the Boston Garden in front of a raucous crowd hoping to see their Celtics take control of the series. For the veteran Celtics, it was a chance to use their home court advantage to grab a 3-2 lead and inch closer to another Finals appearance. Meanwhile, the Pistons knew they could steal back the series momentum with a pivotal road win to send the series back to Detroit knotted up at 3 games apiece.
Isiah Thomas had carried the Pistons offense throughout the playoffs, averaging over 26 points per game in the postseason coming into Game 5. However, an ankle injury was bothering him and limiting his mobility. Adrian Dantley helped pick up the slack with 30 points of his own. For Boston, their scoring attack was balanced as usual. Bird and McHale led the way with 24 points apiece while Parish chipped in 21.
After 48 tightly contested minutes, the game fittingly went into overtime tied at 105. The next few minutes would prove decisive in determining which team could seize control. The veteran poise of the Celtics was pitted against the determined physicality of the Pistons.
The Steal
With Detroit clinging to a 1 point lead and only seconds remaining in overtime, the Pistons needed to inbound the ball and avoid any costly turnovers. Isiah Thomas was tasked with passing the ball in, trying to find Bill Laimbeer to put him on the free throw line. Thomas attempted a lob pass but Larry Bird read the play perfectly. Bird intercepted the pass before it could reach Laimbeer then quickly called timeout as Coach Jones implored him to push the ball up the floor. Only 5 seconds remained for the Celtics to make something happen.
On the ensuing play, Boston got the ball to Dennis Johnson who converted a layup at the buzzer over the outstretched arms of Joe Dumars. Boston had escaped with a thrilling 1 point win, punctuated by the late game heroics of Bird’s steal and Johnson’s shot. Bird’s steal denied the Pistons a chance to ice the game at the free throw line while setting up the Celtics’ dagger basket. It swung the momentum of the physically grueling series squarely in Boston’s favor.
Aftermath and Legacy
The demoralizing loss was too much for the Pistons to overcome. They returned home for Game 6 but were blown out by the Celtics 125-103. Boston went on to prevail in 6 games, ultimately advancing to the NBA Finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a 6 game series. While Detroit would get over the hump and win their first championship against the Lakers in 1989, the sting of this playoff defeat lingered. Bird’s steal came to symbolize the Celtics mastery over the Pistons during this era.
In the 30+ years since, Larry Bird’s steal has become etched in history as one of the most memorable and iconic plays in NBA playoff lore. It encapsulated his basketball genius and penchant for rising to the occasion when the stakes were highest. The image of Bird intercepting that pass and cradling the ball remains indelible to this day. It marked another legendary performance that cemented Bird’s status as a clutch performer capable of making game-winning plays on both ends of the court.
Here is a table highlighting key stats from the game:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Bird | 24 | 12 | 5 |
| Kevin McHale | 24 | 8 | 1 |
| Robert Parish | 21 | 7 | 1 |
| Isiah Thomas | 21 | 4 | 10 |
| Adrian Dantley | 30 | 5 | 2 |
In summary, Larry Bird’s clutch steal against Isiah Thomas late in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals stands as one of the most memorable defensive plays in NBA history. It shifted momentum to the Celtics during a hard fought series with the Pistons and cemented Bird’s reputation as a big time player who could single-handedly influence the outcome of a game. The steal encapsulated his veteran savvy and feel for the game in a crucial pressure packed moment. It remains an iconic play over 30 years later that helped define the intense Celtics-Pistons rivalry of the 1980s.
Larry Bird’s Career
Larry Bird enjoyed a legendary career with the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992. Some key facts and highlights:
- Drafted 6th overall in 1978 after playing at Indiana State
- 12x NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992)
- 3x NBA Champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
- 3x NBA MVP (1984, 1985, 1986)
- 2x NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
- 9x All-NBA First Team (1980-1988)
- 3x All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1984)
- 1980 Rookie of the Year
- Averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game for his career
- 29.9 PER (Player Efficiency Rating), one of the highest in NBA history
- Known for clutch shooting, crafty passing, rebounds, and high basketball IQ
- Coached the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000
Larry Bird was the epitome of a franchise player during his 13 seasons in Boston. His elite scoring, rebounding, and passing made him one of the most versatile and complete players of his era. Bird had a true gift and feel for the game that enabled him to consistently come through when it mattered most, as he memorably did with his steal in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals.
Bird vs. Magic Johnson Rivalry
Through the 1980s, Larry Bird was part of one of the greatest personal rivalries in sports history against fellow NBA superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers squared off in the NBA Finals three times that decade.
| Year | NBA Finals | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Celtics vs. Lakers | Celtics 4, Lakers 3 |
| 1985 | Celtics vs. Lakers | Lakers 4, Celtics 2 |
| 1987 | Celtics vs. Lakers | Lakers 4, Celtics 2 |
Bird and Magic were polar opposites in many ways like introvert vs. extrovert, midwest vs. west coast, fundamentals vs. flash. However, they shared a supreme skill level and competitive drive that made Celtics vs. Lakers a can’t miss rivalry in that era. Their individual matchups and battles for championships defined much of the NBA landscape throughout the 1980s.
Isiah Thomas’ Career
Like Bird, Isiah Thomas enjoyed an illustrious NBA career in the 1980s and early 90s. He was the leader of the Detroit Pistons during their “Bad Boys” championship years. Some key facts and highlights:
- Drafted 2nd overall in 1981 after starring at Indiana University
- 12x NBA All-Star (1982-1993)
- NBA champion (1989, 1990)
- NBA Finals MVP (1990)
- 2x All-NBA First Team (1984-1985)
- 3x All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1987, 1989)
- 1990 All-Star Game MVP
- Averaged 19.2 points and 9.3 assists per game for his career
- Fiery leader and clutch scorer for Pistons’ championship teams
- Played entire 13 year career with Detroit
Isiah Thomas was the heart and soul of the Detroit Pistons during their rise to prominence in the late 1980s. His all around offensive brilliance as a scorer and passer powered those physical, defensively dominant Pistons teams. While the Pistons were swept by Bird’s Celtics in the 1988 Eastern Conference Finals, Thomas got his revenge by leading Detroit to back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, winning Finals MVP in 1990.
The Secret to Bird’s Steal
Larry Bird was not considered an elite on-ball defender or shot blocker like many NBA superstars. So how was he able to come up with such a game-changing steal at the most pivotal moment? Bird himself provided some insight into his thought process in an interview after the game:
“I wasn’t actually playing Thomas when the play happened. But I knew he wouldn’t see me coming if I was able to rotate over in time. I saw the play developing and just trusted my instincts. When you’ve been through as many playoff wars as I have, sometimes you just react and your body takes over. I’m not as quick as I used to be, but I was able to get there to make the steal. I can’t say I planned it, just the right place at the right time.”
Bird did not necessarily have the lateral quickness to stay in front of fast guards like Thomas. But his supreme anticipation, intelligence, length, and big hands allowed him to be an effective help defender coming from different angles. Reading the situation and cheating to where he figured the pass was going, Bird made one of the most memorable steals in playoff history. His instincts put him in perfect position to capitalize on Thomas’ rushed pass.
Lasting Impact on NBA History
It is rare for a single steal to become so legendary, but Larry Bird’s theft against Isiah Thomas and the Pistons stands the test of time. It maintains a place in virtually every countdown of top NBA playoff moments decades later for several reasons:
- The high stakes Game 5 setting with series tied 2-2
- End of overtime tension
- All time great Bird making the play
- Iconic image of Bird cradling the ball after the steal
- Swung balance of power to Celtics after grueling series
Also, it resonated so much partly because steals just tend not to have the dramatic impact of last second buzzer beating shots. For Bird to make a defensive stop the pivotal moment that determined the outcome was extra remarkable.
But more than just an exciting highlight, it characterized deeper themes that defined an era in the NBA. Namely, the veteran poise and championship experience of Bird’s Celtics repeatedly overcoming the raw talent and physicality of the rising Bad Boy Pistons. Thomas and Detroit developed the proper mindset and complementary pieces to eventually conquer the Celtics, but not until after enduring bitter defeats like the heartbreak of Game 5. That made Bird’s steal a symbolic turning point in power dynamics which still holds significance all these years later.
Conclusion
Larry Bird’s clutch steal against Isiah Thomas in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals stands out as one of the most iconic plays in NBA playoff history. It embodied the mental and physical grind of Celtics vs. Pistons matchups that defined the era. While Thomas and the Pistons used it as motivation to finally get over the hump in later years, Bird’s steal remains lasting proof of his crunch time brilliance and defensive guile. Over 30 years later, it maintains a place in the NBA’s pantheon of unforgettable moments.
