NBA Season 16 Episode 3 1985 NBA Finals Game 3

In the third episode of the 16th season of NBA, we witness the historic Game 3 of the 1985 NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by superstar Magic Johnson, faced off against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in what would become one of the most memorable and competitive NBA championship series in history.

This episode begins with an overview of the first two games of the series, which resulted in one win for each team. The Lakers won Game 1 with a score of 109-102, thanks to a dominant performance by Magic Johnson who scored 29 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. The Celtics bounced back in Game 2, winning 124-121 in overtime thanks to Larry Bird's clutch shooting and a career-high 30 points from Cedric Maxwell.

With the series tied at one game apiece, all eyes were on Game 3. It was played at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, and the Lakers were eager to take the lead in front of their home crowd. However, the Celtics were determined to prevent that from happening and to grab a crucial road win.

The first half of the game was closely contested and saw several lead changes. The Lakers relied heavily on Magic Johnson, who had another outstanding performance and finished the game with 21 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also contributed with 21 points and 10 rebounds. For the Celtics, it was Kevin McHale who stood out in the first half, scoring 13 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.

At halftime, the Lakers were up by just one point, with the score standing at 62-61. However, the second half saw a much more dominant performance by the Lakers. They outscored the Celtics by 16 points in the third quarter alone and extended their lead to 99-82. The crowd at the Great Western Forum was ecstatic, sensing that the Lakers were about to take a commanding 2-1 lead in the series.

But the Celtics showed why they were one of the best teams in the league. They never gave up and continued to fight until the final buzzer. Led by Larry Bird, who finished the game with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, they mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter and managed to cut the Lakers' lead to just three points. With time running out, the Celtics had a chance to tie the game, but a missed shot by McHale sealed their fate.

The final score was 136-111 in favor of the Lakers. It was a crucial win for them, as it gave them a 2-1 lead in the series and shifted the momentum in their favor. It was also a historic game, as it featured several future Hall of Famers and showcased the best of what the NBA had to offer at that time.

Overall, this episode of NBA Season 16 is a must-watch for any basketball fan. It provides a detailed and exciting account of one of the most memorable games in NBA history and showcases the skills and talents of some of the greatest players ever to grace the court. Whether you're a fan of the Lakers, the Celtics, or just great basketball in general, this episode is sure to leave you entertained and inspired.