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35 Years Ago, Larry Bird Thought He Played Against God Disguised As Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan has a crazy array of legendary playoff performances under his belt, one of which took place 34 years ago today, and made Larry Bird believe something biblical had happened –  the night Michael Jordan scored an NBA playoff-record 63 points in Boston.

That night, the Bulls may have lost Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Celtics with 135 to 131 in double-overtime, but Jordan’s performance is the only thing we’re still talking about today. In this record game, Jordan shot 22-of-41 from the field and 19-of-21 from the free-throw line, while making Larry Bird believe that it wasn’t Jordan himself playing, but god in Jordan’s body. That’s what Bird told reporters after the game:

“I didn’t think anyone was capable of doing what Michael has done to us,” marveled Celtics star Larry Bird after Game 2. “He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. I think it’s just God disguised as Michael Jordan.”