Da, bila je to velika utakmica Kelta koji su inače doktori ovakvih sedmih utakmica, povijesno gledano. Lakersi su samo bili spremni, šta da su dobili a nema balona no to je motiviralo Rusella koji je motivirao ostale kada je to čuo, mislim da mu je to dojavio Sam Jones.

In anticipation of a Lakers win, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had ordered thousands of balloons with "World Champion Lakers" printed on them suspended from the rafters of the Forum. Flyers were placed in every seat stating, "When, not if, the Lakers win the title, balloons will be released from the raftors, the USC marching band will play "Happy Days Are Here Again" and broadcaster Chick Hearn will interview Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain in that order."Before the game, the Celtics circulated in their locker room a memo about the Lakers' celebration plans. Russell noted the giant net hanging from the ceiling during pregame warmups and said to West, "Those [expletive deleted] balloons are staying up there." West was furious at the balloons for providing the Celtics extra motivation.