History will have no bearing on Game 7, but Celtics fans still can look back at past Game 7s and feel a little better.
The Celtics are a perfect 7-0 in NBA Finals Game 7s and have gone 4-0 against Thursday's opponent and rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here's a look back at past Celtics Game 7s.
1957: Celtics 125, St. Louis Hawks 123 (2OT)
Tom Heinsohn and rookie Bill Russell led the the Celtics to their first NBA title. Heinsohn posted 37 points, and Russell had 19 points and a rookie-record 32 rebounds in the double-overtime thriller.
1960: Celtics 122, Hawks 103
Russell continued adding to his postseason resume, dropping 22 points and grabbing 32 rebounds to lead the Celtics to their third world championship.
1962: Celtics 110, Lakers 107 (OT) (in Boston)
The first Celtics-Lakers Game 7 went to overtime. Sam Jones played hero, scoring five of Boston’s 10 points in the extra frame to help the C’s win their fourth straight NBA title. Russell posted 30 points and 40 rebounds, tying his own NBA Finals record.
1966: Celtics 95, Lakers 93 (in Boston)
The first Celtics Game 7 that didn't take 100 points to decide came down to the wire. The C’s held off a fourth-quarter Lakers rally to win their eighth consecutive title (ninth overall) in Red Auerbach’s last game as head coach.
1969: Celtics 108, Lakers 106 (in Los Angeles)
Jerry West's triple-double was not enough to stop the Celtics from winning the title on the road. West walked away with Finals MVP honors that year, but Russell walked away with his record 11th ring.
1974: Celtics 102, Bucks 87
The Celtics held Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to 26 points, his lowest output of the series, while five Boston players finished in double figures to help the C’s win their 12th title.
1984: Celtics 111, Lakers 102 (in Boston)
Cedric Maxwell famously told his team to "get on my back" before the game and went on to score 24 points. Larry Bird scored 20 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and took home the Finals MVP as the Celtics won their 15th title.
2010: ??? (in Los Angeles)
The Celtics shoot for their 18th championship. The Lakers play for No. 16.
Source: ESPN.com
