In Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, Boston was down by a point to the Detroit Pistons, who had possession of the ball in closing seconds of the game. As Isiah Thomas inbounded the ball to Bill Laimbeer, Larry Bird, left his man and stole the inbounds pass. He gathered his balance prior to stepping out of bounds and found his teammate Dennis Johnson who laid the ball in with one second left on the clock. The Celtics beat the Pistons 108 107.