The HBO Sports® documentary Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, will debut Saturday, March 6 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Please join us at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, March 5 at 2:00PM and Saturday, March 6 at 11:00AM to be among the first to see this groundbreaking film that details the upbringing, origins, behind-the-scenes stories and the ultimate respect and friendship of basketball’s fiercest rivals, Hall of Famers, Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

From the award winning HBO Sports’ documentary group, Liev Schreiber narrates the history of the competition between Los Angeles Lakers immortal “Magic” Johnson and Boston Celtics great Larry Bird, which began 30 years ago when they led their Midwest universities to the 1979 NCAA Championship game, through a decade of dominance, when each player won three NBA MVP awards apiece and a combined eight NBA championships.  This HBO exclusive presentation also examines the different cultures that helped shape them and contributed to their unique styles, as well as exploring their unlikely friendship.

Free to view with admission to the museum, visitors will be treated to preview screenings before the premiere on HBO.  Screenings will be held on Friday, March 5 at 2PM & Saturday, March 6 at 11AM.

Though sharing Midwestern roots and following the same team-oriented philosophy, the introverted Bird (from the small town of French Lick, Ind.) and the extroverted Johnson (from the industrial state capital Lansing, Mich.) couldn’t be more different in personality.  The two superstars talk about each other at length in the film and provide intimate insights into their remarkable lives.

The film debuts on HBO on Saturday, March 6 at 8PM and also features interviews with Hall of Famers Kevin McHale and Pat Riley, who coached Johnson on the great Lakers team of the 1980s; teammates Cedric Maxwell and Michael Cooper; George Fox, Johnson’s high school coach; siblings Evelyn Johnson and Mark Bird; entertainer Arsenio Hall; former CBS Sports executive Ted Shaker; and sports journalists Bryant Gumbel, Jackie MacMullan, Charles Pierce and Steve Springer.

HBO Sports’ documentary group has earned 28 Sports Emmy Awards and seven Peabody Awards for production excellence.

Don’t miss the opportunity to preview this historic film at the Hall of Fame!

The Hall of Fame is open daily from 10am – 4pm on Sunday – Friday and until 5pm on Saturday. Regular adult admission is $16.99 and $11.99 for ages 5-15.  Under 5 years is FREE.  Senior Citizens can enjoy a discount admission of $13.99.  Annual Pass is $39.99.  Parking is FREE.  For information on groups of 15 or more or multi-day tickets go to www.hoophall.com or call 877-4HOOPLA.  Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, international, men and women.