NBA Season 19 Episode 3 1988 NBA Finals Game 3

In the 1988 NBA Finals Game 3, viewers are taken back in time to witness one of the most iconic matches in NBA history. The episode begins with an introduction to the setting, which is the Forum in Inglewood, California. The Forum was the home of the Los Angeles Lakers and was famous for being the site of many of the greatest NBA games ever played.

The episode then dives into the game, which was the third in the best-of-seven series between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons. At the time, the Pistons were a young and hungry team looking to upset the heavily favored Lakers. The Lakers, on the other hand, were led by the incomparable Magic Johnson, who was trying to add to his already impressive resume by winning yet another championship.

The first quarter of the game is a back-and-forth affair with both teams trading baskets and making big plays. The Lakers take an early lead, but the Pistons quickly respond with a flurry of points to tie the game. The Lakers' star player, Magic Johnson, is having a rough start to the game and doesn't score his first points until late in the quarter. The Pistons ride the hot hand of Isiah Thomas, who scores 10 points in the first period, to take a 27-26 lead into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Pistons begin to pull away from the Lakers thanks to some exceptional play from Joe Dumars and Bill Laimbeer. The Lakers continue to struggle and look out of sorts both offensively and defensively. Despite several attempts by the Lakers to get back into the game, the Pistons maintain their lead and head into halftime up 59-49.

As the third quarter gets underway, the Lakers finally start to find their rhythm. Magic Johnson, who has been largely ineffective up until this point, starts to heat up and begins to take control of the game. James Worthy also steps up and makes some big plays on both ends of the court. The Lakers go on a 10-0 run midway through the quarter to tie the game at 61-61. However, the Pistons refuse to go away and continue to match the Lakers shot for shot. The quarter ends with the Pistons up by two points, 83-81.

The fourth quarter is a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat affair. The Lakers and Pistons continue to trade baskets, with neither team able to pull away. The game is tied at 100-100 with just over a minute left when Isiah Thomas makes a miraculous play. Despite twisting his ankle earlier in the game, Thomas scores 14 points in the final quarter to give the Pistons a fighting chance. He hits a critical three-pointer to put the Pistons up by three points with just seconds left in the game.

The Lakers attempt to tie the game with a final shot, but their efforts fall short, and the Pistons win a hard-fought battle, 103-102. The crowd at the Forum is stunned, and the Pistons celebrate one of the greatest upsets in NBA Finals history.

The episode concludes with a recap of the game's most impactful moments, along with insightful commentary from NBA experts and players who were there to witness the action. Viewers are left in awe of the incredible talent on display and the sheer drama of the game. The 1988 NBA Finals Game 3 is a true masterpiece of basketball, a game that will be talked about and remembered for generations to come.