POR 148, BOS 152 2OT - Near the end of his last season on March 15, 1992, a 35-year old Larry Bird with a bad back scored 49 points (including a running triple at the end of regulation) to lead Boston to a double OT epic win over the NBA's second-best team.
Note: There were technical difficulties in the first quarter during the live broadcast of this game. Certain segments of the game only had audio with no video. In this Hardwood Classics edition, those portions were removed since fans would likely skip over them.
Player of the game: Larry Legend Bird, 49 PTS, 19-35 54 FG%, 9-10 FTM, 14 REB, 12 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK
On March 15, 1992, the Portland Trail Blazers, boasting a 46-18 record, faced the Boston Celtics at the Boston Garden. The aging Celtics, struggling with a 35-29 record, were led by the ailing Larry Bird, who had missed 37 games due to back problems and an injury.
Despite his condition, Bird delivered a legendary performance against the young Blazers, recording a triple-double with 49 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds. The game, a double-overtime thriller, ended with Boston triumphing 152-148 in what many consider the best regular season game of the year.
Bird’s 49 points remain the most by any player in a triple-double effort. This game marked his 59th and final regular-season triple-double. Bird’s clutch three-pointer with two seconds left in regulation tied the game, showcasing his enduring skill and determination.
In overtime, Bird continued to excel, leading Boston to victory despite the Blazers' strong efforts. This win ended a three-game losing streak for the Celtics and sparked a strong finish to their season.
Notable performances
Portland:
Clyde Drexler, 41 PTS, 8 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK
Terry Porter, 29 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL
Jerome Kersey, 23 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL
Danny Ainge, 19 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL off the bench
Celtics:
Reggie Lewis, 23 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Robert Parish, 22 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Kevin McHale 22 PTS, 5 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK off the bench
Sidenote: Fans may remember the Celtics of the 1980s for stars like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. However, one often overlooked All-Star was Reggie Lewis, who emerged prominently in the late 80s to early 1990s. During a period when Bird and McHale were sidelined with injuries, Lewis became a key figure for the team.
In the 1991-92 Playoffs, Reggie Lewis carried the Celtics, averaging 28.0 points on 53% shooting from the field, 76% from the free-throw line, along with 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers per game in 40.8 minutes played.
Lewis was an NBA All-Star in 1992 and expected to be the next Celtics great when he died suddenly on July 27, 1993 — 30 years ago. His death was attributed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition. Rest In Peace.
