THE HISTORY

A look at each time Philadelphia has met the Lakers in the NBA finals:

*

1979-80

Lakers 4, Philadelphia 2

MVP: Magic Johnson (above)

Game 1

at Lakers 109, Philadelphia 102

Game 2

Philadelphia 107, at Lakers 104

Game 3

Lakers 111, at Philadelphia 101

Game 4

at Philadelphia 105, Lakers 102

Game 5

at Lakers 108, Philadelphia 103

Game 6

Lakers 123, at Philadelphia 107

THE SERIES

* The Lakers win the NBA title in Game 6 without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, sidelined by a sprained ankle. Rookie Magic Johnson takes the opening tip in Game 6, plays every position during the game and scores 42 points to go with 15 rebounds and seven assists while becoming the first rookie named MVP of the finals.

*

1981-82

Lakers 4, Philadelphia 2

MVP: Magic Johnson (above)

Game 1

Lakers 124, at Philadelphia 117

Game 2

at Philadelphia 110, Lakers 94

Game 3

at Lakers 129, Philadelphia 108

Game 4

at Lakers 111, Philadelphia 101

Game 5

at Philadelphia 135, Lakers 102

Game 6

at Lakers 114, Philadelphia 104

THE SERIES

* The Lakers overcame the combo of Andrew Toney (26.0 points per game in the series) and Julius Erving (25.0) as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shut down Darryl Dawkins. The Lakers were led by Jamaal Wilkes (19.7) as they prevented Erving from winning his first NBA title.

*

1982-83

Philadelphia 4, Lakers 0

MVP: Moses Malone (above)

Game 1

at Philadelphia 113, Lakers 107

Game 2

at Philadelphia 103, Lakers 93

Game 3

Philadelphia 111, at Lakers 94

Game 4

Philadelphia 115, at Lakers 108

THE SERIES

* The undermanned Lakers, playing without an injured James Worthy, were no match for the 76ers, who steamrolled past them on way to giving Erving his first NBA title. The Lakers were hit by injuries throughout the series, as Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper and Norm Nixon were all playing at less than 100% against an excellent 76er team.