Overview
The Boston Celtics won their third straight championship. Red Auerbach's squad defeated the St. Louis Hawks in the championship round for the second straight year. This time it was easier than the 1960 series, which went seven games. Boston won in five games, winning all three of its home games.
It also marked the fifth straight year that Boston made the finals.
The Celtics dominated this series, with the four wins coming by a total margin of 66 points.
The 1961 season was the fourth and last trip to the Finals for the St. Louis Hawks.
It also marked the fifth straight year that Boston made the finals.
The Celtics dominated this series, with the four wins coming by a total margin of 66 points.
The 1961 season was the fourth and last trip to the Finals for the St. Louis Hawks.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Hawks | Celtics |
| Regular Season | 51-28, 1st in Western Division | 57-22, 1st in Eastern Division |
| Division Semifinals | Bye | Bye |
| Division Finals | Def. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3 | Def. Syracuse Nationals, 4-1 |
Game 1 - Celtics 129, Hawks 95
The Celtics led 56-48 at halftime and dominated in the second half. The margin in the second half was 73-47.
Tom Heinsohn, who averaged 22.4 points per game to lead the Celtics in the 1960 Finals, got off to a great start with a team-high 26 points. Seven Boston players finished in double figures. Bill Sharman scored 17, Bill Russell had 15 and Satch Sanders added 14.
Cliff Hagan (33) and Bob Pettit (17) totaled more than half of the Hawks points.
Rookie Lenny Wilkens, a future Hall of Famer, scored six points in his Finals debut.
Tom Heinsohn, who averaged 22.4 points per game to lead the Celtics in the 1960 Finals, got off to a great start with a team-high 26 points. Seven Boston players finished in double figures. Bill Sharman scored 17, Bill Russell had 15 and Satch Sanders added 14.
Cliff Hagan (33) and Bob Pettit (17) totaled more than half of the Hawks points.
Rookie Lenny Wilkens, a future Hall of Famer, scored six points in his Finals debut.
Game 2 - Celtics 116, Hawks 108
Boston took a 2-0 lead by surviving an onslaught by Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan. The duo combined for 70 points (Hagan 40, Pettit 30), while Lenny Wilkens added 19.
The Celtics showed their depth was too much. Bob Cousy scored 26 points, including eight of 10 from the foul line. Frank Ramsey totaled 24 points, Tom Heinsohn added 23 points and Sam Jones topped out at 22.
Boston led 53-52 at halftime, and again the third quarter was a key. The Celtics had a 31-23 edge in that period.
The Celtics showed their depth was too much. Bob Cousy scored 26 points, including eight of 10 from the foul line. Frank Ramsey totaled 24 points, Tom Heinsohn added 23 points and Sam Jones topped out at 22.
Boston led 53-52 at halftime, and again the third quarter was a key. The Celtics had a 31-23 edge in that period.
Game 3 - Hawks 124, Celtics 120
The Hawks won their only game in the series behind Bob Pettit (31) and Cliff Hagan (26). This time, another player stepped up with a key contribution.
Forward-center Woody Sauldsberry, who was the league's Rookie of the Year during the 1957-58 season with the Philadelphia Warriors, had 20 points. Sauldsberry totaled 17 points in the first two games.
Tommy Heinsohn and Bill Russell each scored 24 points, while Bob Cousy added 21.
St. Louis led by one point going into the fourth quarter, and enjoyed a 26-23 advantage in the final period to earn the victory.
Forward-center Woody Sauldsberry, who was the league's Rookie of the Year during the 1957-58 season with the Philadelphia Warriors, had 20 points. Sauldsberry totaled 17 points in the first two games.
Tommy Heinsohn and Bill Russell each scored 24 points, while Bob Cousy added 21.
St. Louis led by one point going into the fourth quarter, and enjoyed a 26-23 advantage in the final period to earn the victory.
Game 4 - Celtics 119, Hawks 104
Boston took charge of the series despite Bob Pettit (40) and Cliff Hagan (22).
Satch Sanders scored 22 points off the bench while Bob Cousy also scored 22. Again, balance was a factor as six Celtics scored in double figures.
The Hawks led 56-52 at halftime, but the third quarter was a key for Boston. Red Auerbach must have put together a great speech because the Celtics responded by outscoring the host 39-26 in the third quarter.
Satch Sanders scored 22 points off the bench while Bob Cousy also scored 22. Again, balance was a factor as six Celtics scored in double figures.
The Hawks led 56-52 at halftime, but the third quarter was a key for Boston. Red Auerbach must have put together a great speech because the Celtics responded by outscoring the host 39-26 in the third quarter.
Game 5 - Celtics 121, Hawks 112
Bill Russell had 30 points and 38 rebounds as the Celtics wrapped up another championship.
Balanced scoring and depth again played a part in the victory. Tom Heinsohn had 19 points, Bob Cousy 18 and Frank Ramsey and Sam Jones both added 16.
Bob Pettit had 24 points, but hit just seven of 22 shots from the field.
Balanced scoring and depth again played a part in the victory. Tom Heinsohn had 19 points, Bob Cousy 18 and Frank Ramsey and Sam Jones both added 16.
Bob Pettit had 24 points, but hit just seven of 22 shots from the field.