Game 5 - Celtics 121, Lakers 103

With the temperatures in Boston unseasonably hot, the non-air-conditioned Boston Garden reached 97 degrees inside, leading to far-from-optimal playing conditions. The two teams were close throughout the first half, but both teams began to suffer from the heat in the second half. The conditions were so bad the the Lakers were using oxygen tanks and iced towels, and official Hugh Evans had to be replaced by alternate John Vanak. While the Lakers were wilting, the Celtics seemed to get stronger, using a 21-7 run late in the game to clinch the victory.

Larry Bird led Boston with 34 points and 17 rebounds, making 15 of his 20 shots from the field. Dennis Johnson added 22 points and six assists for the Celtics, who shot 51.7 percent from the field despite the conditions. James Worthy led the Lakers with 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, but was the only Lakers starter who was effective in the game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who'd been suffering from migraines the day before the game, couldn't get going in the heat and missed 18 of the 25 shots he attempted, finishing with 19 points. Magic Johnson had 10 points and 13 assists but was just 3-of-9 from the field.

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