15. Andrew Toney Scores 46 vs Lakers In 1982
Andrew Toney showcased an all-around skill set. It is important to recall his legacy. Toney shot with accuracy and made clutch shots. Toney also possessed a lethal first step and explosive floor game off of the dribble. Known as a “big lights” guy, his game excelled and elevated when the stakes raised.
Of course Philadelphia 76ers fans, Boston Celtics fans, and the entire NBA fan base dubbed Toney the “Boston Strangler,” for his well, “strangling” of the Celtics. If Spike Lee were older and a Celtic fan during that time period, he assuredly would have had an altercation with Andrew Toney. Toney had the talent and the killer instinct.
For one game in particular, Toney strangled another iconic franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982 and led the 76ers to a 119-113 victory. Andrew Toney played in this game as the sixth man and proceeded to compile a career high 46 points with a 21 for 29 shooting percentage. Furthermore he only logged a little over 30 minutes! After this game that featured a 20 point fourth quarter effort by Toney, Lakers coach pat Riley called him, “the greatest clutch player I ever saw.”
Longtime play by play announcer Dick Stockton recalled many of Toney’s games on NBA CBS. He compared Toney to Detroit Pistons’ Joe Dumars and how “they were guys that were tough defensive guards who were counted on to score.”
Andrew Toney was also a great passer. During the 76ers’ 1982-83 championship season Julius Erving remarked that, “he sees things out on the court that other players just don’t see. Andrew has such strong wrists that he can throw the pass off the dribble, sideways, behind his head . . .”
Next: Moses Malone Has 38 Points And 24 Rebounds Over Celtics