NBA Season 19 Episode 5 1988 NBA Finals Game 5

In the NBA Season 19 Episode 5, fans can relive the thrilling 1988 NBA Finals Game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons. This legendary game was a crucial one for both teams; with the series at 2-2, the winner would take the lead in the best-of-seven series and give themselves a shot at becoming the NBA champions.

Fans who have never seen this game before will be treated to some of the most talented basketball players of all time. The Lakers included Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, while the Pistons had Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer. These two teams were evenly matched throughout the series, but Game 5 took the rivalry to a whole new level.

The first half of the game saw the Lakers jump out to an early lead, but the Pistons slowly chipped away at their deficit as the game progressed. Detroit's defense was especially impressive, holding LA to just 17 points in the third quarter. But the Lakers refused to go down without a fight, with Magic Johnson leading the team to a 99-97 lead with just seconds left in the game.

The final moments of the game were some of the most intense in NBA history. Isiah Thomas, who had already scored 43 points in the game, sprained his ankle in the third quarter but refused to sit out for the final minutes. The Pistons needed a basket to tie the game, but LA's defense was swarming. Thomas passed the ball to teammate Bill Laimbeer, who missed a three-pointer but tipped the ball back to Dumars, who nailed a game-tying jumper with just one second left on the clock.

The game went into overtime, and each team had their chances to win. But the Lakers ultimately pulled out a 103-102 win, thanks in large part to the heroics of Johnson, who finished with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Lakers went on to win the NBA Championship that year, but this game will go down as one of the most epic battles in NBA history.

For fans who were lucky enough to witness this game live, watching this episode will be a chance to relive the magic once again. And for newer fans who have never seen this game before, it's a chance to experience basketball history in the making. From the incredible performances by both teams to the nail-biting ending, the 1988 NBA Finals Game 5 is a must-watch for anyone who loves basketball.