Larry Bird, the legendary Boston Celtics player, holds a remarkable record of being undefeated against Michael Jordan in the NBA playoffs, with a perfect 6-0 record. This impressive streak occurred during the 1980s, a period when Bird’s Celtics were battling for supremacy in the league.
Their playoff rivalry began in 1986 when Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, seeded 8th, faced off against Bird’s top-seeded Celtics in the first round. Despite Jordan’s incredible 63-point performance in Game 2, the Celtics swept the Bulls 3-0. Bird’s team was well-equipped with talented players like Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, and Robert Parish, who complemented Bird’s exceptional skills.
The following year, the Bulls and Celtics met again in the playoffs, and once more, the Celtics emerged victorious, sweeping the series 3-0. Jordan averaged 35.7 points per game in the series but couldn’t overcome Bird’s well-rounded team. Throughout their playoff encounters, Bird’s Celtics consistently outperformed Jordan’s Bulls, showcasing the dominance of the Celtics during that era.
Key Statistics:
Larry Bird’s Performance:
Playoff Statistics: 27.2 points, 9 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game
Regular Season Statistics: 26.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game
Michael Jordan’s Performance:
Playoff Statistics: 39.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game
Regular Season Statistics: 33.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game
Interestingly, despite Jordan’s individual brilliance, Bird’s Celtics had the upper hand in their head-to-head matchups, both in the regular season and playoffs. Bird won the overall personal series 17-11, and their final meeting on March 31, 1991, saw Bird’s team emerge victorious in double overtime, with Bird scoring 34 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.
Their rivalry is often seen as a testament to Bird’s ability to elevate his team and outmaneuver opponents, while Jordan’s individual talent and work ethic ultimately propelled him to become one of the greatest players in NBA history
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