On this day, the Boston Celtics clinched their 14th NBA title by defeating the Houston Rockets 102-91 in Game 6 of the 1981 Finals. Larry Bird led the Celtics with 27 points, while Cedric Maxwell was named Finals MVP.
Key points
Boston Celtics won their 14th NBA title in 1981
Celtics defeated Houston Rockets 102-91 in Game 6
Larry Bird scored 27 points in the victory
Cedric Maxwell was named Finals MVP
Houston Rockets made the Finals with a losing record
Mentioned in this story
Larry BirdCedric MaxwellRobert ParishMoses Malone
Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Today in Boston Celtics history, the 62-20 Boston Celtics secured their 14th NBA title with a 102-91 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the 1981 NBA Finals, getting the win on their own home court of the "old" Boston Garden despite a five-minute stretch late in the game without a Celtics making a basket.
Hall of Fame forward Larry Bird led the Celtics with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, while teammate Cedric Maxwell contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Center and fellow Hall of Famer Robert Parish added another 18 points and 6 rebounds in the victory. For Houston, shooting guard Robert Reed scored 27 points, along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, and the legendary big man Moses Malone contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Maxwell was awarded Finals MVP for his performance against the Rockets, who, at 42-40, were the last team in league history to make the NBA Finals with a losing record.
Historic milestones
Backup big man Rick Robey said before the game (via theĀ APās Alex Sachare) that what Houston big Moses āMalone said got our blood boilingā after the Rocketsā 91-86 win in Game 4. Robeyās comments refer to remarks by Malone after the Game 4 win that saw the Houston center claim that the Celtics werenāt very good and that he could take four guys off the street of his hometown.
āNone of us appreciated his comments,ā offered Boston forward Kevin McHale. āI think he was just blowing smoke because they won their second game Sunday. If we win the championship, I donāt think heāll have much to say.ā The Celtics would of course end up winning the series, despite Maloneās opinion of the team.
Q&A
What year did the Boston Celtics win their 14th NBA championship?
The Boston Celtics won their 14th NBA championship in 1981.
Who was the Finals MVP in the 1981 NBA Finals?
Cedric Maxwell was awarded the Finals MVP in the 1981 NBA Finals.
What was the score of Game 6 in the 1981 NBA Finals?
The score of Game 6 in the 1981 NBA Finals was 102-91 in favor of the Boston Celtics.
Which players led the Celtics in scoring during the 1981 Finals?
Larry Bird led the Celtics with 27 points, while Cedric Maxwell contributed 19 points.
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May 1981; Houston, TX, USA: FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Kevin McHale (32) in action against the Houston Rockets during the 1980-81 NBA Finals at the Summit. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 1981; Houston, TX, USA: FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Kevin McHale (32) in action against the Houston Rockets during the 1980-81 NBA Finals at the Summit. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Today is the anniversary of a 96-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference semifinals despite 35 points and 5 assists from LeBron James. Kevin Garnett led Boston with 26 points and 16 rebounds, and Paul Pierce added 29 points and 7 boards. Point guard Rajon Rondo chipped in 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Transactions
On this day in 1961, former Boston Celtics point guard Carl Braun signed with the team in free agency after being waived by the New York Knicks. The last stop in a 13-season career interrupted for two years by military service, Braun would win a championship with the Celtics in a reserve role.
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The NBA logo is seen on the court before thegame between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The NBA logo is seen on the court before thegame between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
He averaged 3.7 points, a rebound, and 1.5 assists in his sole season with Boston, and would be elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Birthdays
It is also the birthday of Eddie House. Born this day in 1978 in Berkeley, California, House played his college ball at Arizona State. Drafted by the Miami Heat, the Californian played for that team, the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, (then) Charlotte Bobcats (now, Hornets), Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets before signing with Boston in 2007. House won a title with the Celtics before he was traded to the Knicks.
Dec. 30, 2009; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics guard (50) Eddie House against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Celtics 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 30, 2009; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics guard (50) Eddie House against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Celtics 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, House shares his birthday with forward Mark Minor, born this day in 1950. The Ohio State alum would be drafted by Boston in 1972, and played 4 games for the Celtics in the 1972-73 season over that very short stretch.