5th’s Not Taken, However, Forced, In Routs

Both the NBA and NHL final round entities were “forced” to a 5th game with the Celtics and Panthers, now returning home, hoping to clinch respective 18th and first titles in game 5 after being routed in #4 by the Mavericks and Oilers respectively.

Boston, on another Monday night (then on 5-5-1969, despite 42 points by the great Jerry West, the Celtics prevailed (108-106) at L.A. to win an incredible 11th title in 13 seasons) 55 years later hopes to win a record 18th (Bailey Howell, Dave Cowens, John Thompson and Jim Loscutoff wore it for the Celts) title on the (John) Havlicek/17th day of June. They are a touchdown/7 point(s) favorite to do so. Likely they will, but look out, if they fail.

Same essentially for the Florida Panthers, who it being hockey, are much less of a favorite. Their 5th game vs the Edmonton Oilers is Tuesday June 18th in Florida.

The Panthers, again up (3-1) and bidding to join the ’09 Pittsburgh Penguins and ’84 Edmonton Oilers as the only teams to lose then win in the final round in consecutive years entirely during the expansion era (’68-2024 as the ’68 champion Canadiens won it, all after losing in the last pre expansion year in the ’67 final, alas the last Toronto Maple Leafs final round appearance, no less title) are (4-9) all-time in final round games, Edmonton is (24-17).

Click above to view Don Nelson’s lucky shot, a key in that Celtics’ title win, now over 55 years ago.