1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals vs. 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Attribute	1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals	1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
Teams	Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons	Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons
Series Result	Boston Celtics won 4-3	Boston Celtics won 4-2
Game 7 Leading Scorer	Larry Bird (37 points)	Larry Bird (29 points)
Game 7 Winning Shot	Larry Bird's steal and pass to Dennis Johnson for the game-winning layup	Kevin McHale's block on Isiah Thomas' shot attempt

Teams

In the 1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Detroit Pistons. The Celtics were led by Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, while the Pistons were anchored by Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer. The Celtics had a strong veteran presence, while the Pistons were an up-and-coming team looking to make a name for themselves.

On the other hand, in the 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Detroit Pistons returned to face the Boston Celtics once again. The core players remained the same for both teams, with the Celtics still led by Bird, McHale, and Parish, and the Pistons still led by Thomas, Dumars, and Laimbeer. Both teams had a year of experience under their belts, making for an even more competitive matchup.

Regular Season Performance

In the 1987 NBA season, the Boston Celtics finished with a record of 59-23, earning them the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Pistons, on the other hand, finished with a record of 52-30, securing the second seed. The Celtics had a dominant regular season, while the Pistons were seen as a strong contender but not quite on the same level as the Celtics.

Fast forward to the 1988 NBA season, and the roles were reversed. The Detroit Pistons finished with a record of 54-28, claiming the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, finished with a record of 57-25, earning them the second seed. The Pistons had improved their regular season performance, while the Celtics had a slightly less dominant season compared to the year before.

Style of Play

In the 1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics were known for their fast-paced, high-scoring offense led by Larry Bird. They were also a strong defensive team, with players like Kevin McHale and Robert Parish protecting the paint. The Detroit Pistons, on the other hand, were known for their physical style of play, with players like Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn intimidating opponents in the paint.

Similarly, in the 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics maintained their fast-paced offense and solid defense. Larry Bird continued to be the focal point of their offense, while players like Kevin McHale provided scoring support. The Detroit Pistons, on the other hand, continued to rely on their physical style of play, with Isiah Thomas leading the offense and players like Joe Dumars providing scoring punch.

Key Matchups

In the 1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, one of the key matchups was between Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas. Bird, known for his scoring and playmaking abilities, was matched up against Thomas, a dynamic point guard who could score and distribute the ball. Another key matchup was between Kevin McHale and Bill Laimbeer, two physical players who battled in the paint throughout the series.

As for the 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the key matchups remained largely the same. Larry Bird continued to face off against Isiah Thomas, with both players looking to lead their teams to victory. Kevin McHale and Bill Laimbeer also continued their battle in the paint, with both players providing crucial scoring and rebounding for their respective teams.

Outcome

In the 1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious, defeating the Detroit Pistons in a hard-fought series that went to seven games. The Celtics went on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, where they ultimately fell short. The Pistons, on the other hand, gained valuable experience and used it as motivation for the following season.

On the other hand, in the 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Detroit Pistons got their revenge, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games. The Pistons went on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, where they secured their first NBA championship. The Celtics, on the other hand, were left to regroup and prepare for the following season.