Believe it or not, the juggernaut 2007-08 Boston Celtics needed seven games to win their first two playoff series before claiming the 2008 NBA title.
But they were a juggernaut for a reason, and they proved it on this date 12 years ago in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round series with the Atlanta Hawks.
In danger of losing to Al Horford and the No. 8-seed Hawks, Boston absolutely eviscerated Atlanta on May 4, 2008, in a 99-65 win at TD Garden.
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Paul Pierce (22 points) and Kevin Garnett (18 points, 11 rebounds) led the way on offense, but it was defense that helped make the Celtics' win historic for two reasons, per Boston Sports Info (@BostonSportsInf on Twitter):
1. Their 34-point margin of victory is the fourth-most in a Game 7 in NBA history.
2. Their 65 points allowed is the third-fewest points allowed in a Game 7 in NBA history.
Boston Celtics
That decisive victory set up a second-round showdown with LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers, a series that also went the full seven games.
Here are two other notable May 4 performances from the C's, who are 3-6 all-time in games played on this date:
May 4, 2012: Rajon Rondo (17 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists) records one of his 10 career playoff triple-doubles in a 90-84 overtime win over the Hawks.
May 4, 1992: Reggie Lewis racks up 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Celtics to a 104-98 win over the Cavs in Game 2 of the East semifinals.