With the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers set to tip off in the 2017 NBA semifinals, it seems a good time to recount their memorable and only previous Eastern Conference finals showdown.
The Celtics lead 4-2 overall in playoff series vs. the Cavs, and 18-16 in games played going into this year's matchup. But only one of those six prior series came in the conference finals, back in 1976.
That year 41 NBA post-seasons ago marked the bicentennial celebration in America. Free-spirited Detroit Tiger rookie Mark Fidrych was a sensation with his odd style of talking to the baseball and amazing pitching success.