On this day in 1986, Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Larry Bird played one of his most iconic contests, the legendary left-handed game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The game was a 120-119 win in overtime on the road at Moda Center in Portland, and on a spur-of-the-moment decision, the Celtic great decided to shoot heavily with his off-hand, (for those who do not know, his left). The Hick From French Lick — as Bird is sometimes affectionately called — produced a ridiculous stat line of 47 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks in 49 minutes of floor time.
Larry Legend hit 21 of his 34 field goal attempts, 10 of which he shot left-handed, and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.
After the game, the media asked Bird why he shot so much with his off-hand, to which he replied, “I’m saving my right hand for the Lakers.”
Sure enough, when Boston played Los Angeles two days later, they won again, 105-99, with Bird scoring 22 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Former Celtic shooting guard Chris Babb was also born on this date in 1990 in Arlington, Texas.
Babb went undrafted out of Iowa State and was picked up by Boston on a 10-day contract after time playing with their G League developmental affiliate, the Maine Red Claws (now, Maine Celtics).
He parlayed that into a multi-year deal before being dealt to the Golden State Warriors along with Gerald Wallace for David Lee and averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 boards per game in the 14 games he played for the team.
It is also the birthday of former Boston point guard Tyus Edney, born this day in 1973 in Gardena, California.
Edney signed with the Celtics in the summer of 1997, and played in 52 games for Boston, averaging 5.3 points and 2.7 assists per game before leaving in free agency to join the Indiana Pacers the following season.
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