Many Professional Sports

MANY PROFESSIONAL SPORTS leagues have come and gone. The American Basketball Association met its demise in 1976, but the final contest provided a glorious ending.

The New York Nets hosted the Denver Nuggets in the ABA championship series. Leading three games to two in the best-of-seven series, the Nets hoped to claim the title and avoid a trip back to Denver.

Despite the home-court advantage, New York trailed 80–58 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Desperate for a turnaround, the Nets changed to their “yellow” defense. In that setup, three defenders trapped the ball in the backcourt while two others patrolled the basket to prevent breakaways. The gambling defense rattled the Nuggets, and the Nets closed the gap to 92–78 at the quarter’s end.

The pressure continued in the fourth quarter. Point by point, New York chipped away. Finally the Nets took a 106–104 lead with 2:19 left to play. At the 1:29 mark, Denver lost an opportunity to tie with a missed pair of free throws. The Nuggets never recovered, and the Nets captured the ABA’s final crown with a 112–106 victory.

Julius Erving led the Nets with 31 points and received the Most Valuable Player award for the series. John Williamson fueled the New York comeback, scoring 24 of his 28 points in the second half.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT The ABA may not have been able to make it financially, but the league went out in style with a glorious championship series.

But while the league died, four ABA franchises rose to life again to join the National Basketball Association. The New York Nets, the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, and the San Antonio Spurs survived the merger. And many outstanding players transferred into the NBA.

The book of Romans explains how Jesus Christ broke the power of sin and defeated death. When we believe in Christ’s death and resurrection, we also have power over death. Our earthly bodies may die, but we will rise again to live forever in heaven with our Savior.

GOAL! Is there any sin holding back your relationship with Jesus Christ? Confess it and tap into God’s power to overcome it. Praise Jesus that he defeated death and gives us power over sin.