1981 celtics. They were down 3-1 against philly. They even had this history on espn.com. so why has every commentator been saying that no team has ever come back from down 3-1 in nba finals history? I've heard it numerous times today. I think what they mean is that team hasnt come back since it went to 2-3-2 format. But they didn't say this. They just said no team ever came back after down 3-1. Maybe other teams have too. i dont know. but 1981 celtics did. unless espn misstated the scores of these games:
GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3 GAME 4 GAME 5 GAME 6 GAME 7 PHI 105
BOS 104 PHI 99
BOS 118 BOS 100
PHI 110 BOS 105
PHI 107 PHI 109
BOS 111 BOS 100
PHI 98 PHI 90
BOS 91
phi 1-0, tied 1-1, phi 2-1, phi 3-1, phi 3-2, tied 3-3, bos wins 4-3
GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3 GAME 4 GAME 5 GAME 6 GAME 7 PHI 105
BOS 104 PHI 99
BOS 118 BOS 100
PHI 110 BOS 105
PHI 107 PHI 109
BOS 111 BOS 100
PHI 98 PHI 90
BOS 91
phi 1-0, tied 1-1, phi 2-1, phi 3-1, phi 3-2, tied 3-3, bos wins 4-3