Best Memorial Day Sports Moments

Thanks to those who lost their lives while fighting for our freedom, we're able to enjoy distractions like sports. Here are some moments from competition that helped make some past Memorial Days all the more memorable:

Lakers-Celtics, 1985

Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images Lakers-Celtics, 1985

Game 1 of the 1985 NBA Finals is better known as the Memorial Day Massacre, with the Celtics pulverizing the Lakers 148-114 in Boston Garden. The Lakers regroup and win the next game as well as the series, 4-2.

Bulls-Pistons, 1991

youtube Bulls-Pistons, 1991

Chicago sweeps the two-time defending NBA champions in the Eastern Conference finals, and the Pistons cause an uproar by walking off the court with time still left on the clock.

Mike Schmidt, 1989

AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy Mike Schmidt, 1989

The Phillies slugger is 39 and hitting just .206, so he decides to retire during the season. He finishes his career with 548 home runs.

Trail Blazers-Spurs, 1999

Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images Trail Blazers-Spurs, 1999

San Antonio wins the Memorial Day Miracle, 86-85, when Sean Elliott hits a three-pointer over Portland's Rasheed Wallace in the final seconds of Game 2 in the Western Conference finals. Elliott nearly steps out of bounds but keeps his heels from touching the sideline before nailing the winner. The Spurs trailed by 18 early in the third quarter.

Dennis Eckersley, 1977

Diamond Images/Getty Images Dennis Eckersley, 1977

Long before he becomes a dominant closer, Eckersley is a starter for the Indians and throws a no-hitter while fanning 12 against the Angels.

Randy Velarde, 2000

AP Photo Randy Velarde, 2000

The A's second baseman pulls off an unassisted triple play at Yankee Stadium. With runners on first and second, Shane Spencer lines out to Verlarde on a hit-and-run play. Verlade then tags out Jorge Posada, who was on first, and Tino Martinez, who was on second.

Knicks-Bulls, 1993

AP Photo/Fred Jewell Knicks-Bulls, 1993

Michael Jordan keeps the Bulls' drive for a three-peat alive by dropping 54 points on the Knicks in Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals. It ties the series at 2-2, and then in Game 5, the Bulls win at Madison Square Garden by denying Charles Smith at the rim four times in the final seconds.

Dale Long, 1956

Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images Dale Long, 1956

Long sets a major league record that still stands by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games. Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993) manage to duplicate the feat.

Willie Mays, 1951

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images Willie Mays, 1951