Overview
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers played a classic series, with the Celtics winning their fourth consecutive championship.
Four of the seven games were decided by single figures. The deciding game was an overtime thriller.
It was the first Finals appearance by the Los Angeles version of the Lakers. The franchise won four championships while in Minneapolis.
Bill Russell set a seven-game Finals record with 189 rebounds.
Four of the seven games were decided by single figures. The deciding game was an overtime thriller.
It was the first Finals appearance by the Los Angeles version of the Lakers. The franchise won four championships while in Minneapolis.
Bill Russell set a seven-game Finals record with 189 rebounds.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Lakers | Celtics |
| Regular Season | 54-26, 1st in Western Division | 60-20, 1st in Eastern Division |
| Division Semifinals | Bye | Bye |
| Division Finals | Def. Detroit Pistons, 4-2 | Def. Philadelphia Warriors, 4-3 |
Game 1 - Celtics 122, Lakers 108
The Celtics were tired after a seven-game series against the Philadelphia Warriors was decided on a game-winning shot by Sam Jones. Less than 48 hours later, Jones came through with 24 points in Game 1.
K.C. Jones showed heart and determination. He suffered a broken nose after being hit by an elbow from Jim Krebs in a violent collision. K.C. Jones remained in the game, a move which inspired his teammates.
Elgin Baylor led the Lakers with 35 points. He flew in from leave from Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was serving as a private. Jerry West added 21 points.
K.C. Jones showed heart and determination. He suffered a broken nose after being hit by an elbow from Jim Krebs in a violent collision. K.C. Jones remained in the game, a move which inspired his teammates.
Elgin Baylor led the Lakers with 35 points. He flew in from leave from Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was serving as a private. Jerry West added 21 points.
Game 2 - Lakers 129, Celtics 122
The Lakers evened the series by hanging on as the Celtics rallied from a 90-66 deficit to close to within four points (102-98).
Jerry West scored 40 points while Elgin Baylor added 36.
Tommy Heinsohn led Boston with 27 points, while Bob Cousy and Bill Russell each scored 23.
Free throws were a key to the Lakers' victory, as the team hit 37-of-43 from the foul line.
Jerry West scored 40 points while Elgin Baylor added 36.
Tommy Heinsohn led Boston with 27 points, while Bob Cousy and Bill Russell each scored 23.
Free throws were a key to the Lakers' victory, as the team hit 37-of-43 from the foul line.
Game 3 - Lakers 117, Celtics 115
A record crowd of 15,180 packed the Los Angeles Sports Arena and they saw a barn burner. Jerry West was the hero down the stretch. In the closing seconds, West scored to tie the game at 115 apiece. Then Sam Jones tried to inbound the ball to Bob Cousy with four seconds remaining. West stole the ball and drove for the winning layup at the buzzer.
Celtics coach Red Auerbach questioned the timing, saying West could not dribble to the basket and score that quickly. The final play was not overturned.
Elgin Baylor scored 39 points while West finished with 36.
Bill Russell led the Celtics with 26 points.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, West's steal and layup ranked No. 29 on the list.
Celtics coach Red Auerbach questioned the timing, saying West could not dribble to the basket and score that quickly. The final play was not overturned.
Elgin Baylor scored 39 points while West finished with 36.
Bill Russell led the Celtics with 26 points.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, West's steal and layup ranked No. 29 on the list.
Game 4 - Celtics 115, Lakers 103
Boston did not want to go home down 3-1, and it showed early. The Celtics raced out to an early 29-16 lead. Boston led by nine at half (60-51).
The Celtics built up a 17-point lead at 105-88 and were never threatened.
Bill Russell led a balanced attack with 21 points and 22 rebounds. Tommy Heinsohn scored 19 points as Boston had six players in double figures.
The Lakers were again led by the duo of Elgin Baylor (38) and Jerry West (26).
The Celtics built up a 17-point lead at 105-88 and were never threatened.
Bill Russell led a balanced attack with 21 points and 22 rebounds. Tommy Heinsohn scored 19 points as Boston had six players in double figures.
The Lakers were again led by the duo of Elgin Baylor (38) and Jerry West (26).
Game 5 - Lakers 126, Celtics 121
Elgin Baylor set the NBA Finals single-game scoring record with 61 points, a mark that still stands. It was the greatest scoring performance at Boston until Michael Jordan scored 63 in a playoff game in 1986.
That performance broke Wilt Chamberlain's prior playoff mark of 56 points.
Baylor hit 22 of 40 shots from the field in the win.
Tommy Heinsohn scored 30 points while Bill Russell tallied 26 points and 29 rebounds. They were both overshadowed by Baylor's brilliance.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Baylor's performance ranked No. 15 on the list.
That performance broke Wilt Chamberlain's prior playoff mark of 56 points.
Baylor hit 22 of 40 shots from the field in the win.
Tommy Heinsohn scored 30 points while Bill Russell tallied 26 points and 29 rebounds. They were both overshadowed by Baylor's brilliance.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Baylor's performance ranked No. 15 on the list.
Game 6 - Celtics 119, Lakers 105
Facing elimination, Sam Jones took charge, firing up 27 shots from the floor, making 17. Jones' 35 points were the game-high, even more than Elgin Baylor or Jerry West (34 each).
Bill Russell dominated the boards with 24 rebounds.
Boston took over the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 34-16 in that crucial period.
Bill Russell dominated the boards with 24 rebounds.
Boston took over the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 34-16 in that crucial period.
Game 7 - Celtics 110, Lakers 107 (OT)
The Celtics won their fourth straight championship, but it was not easy. The stars really shined. Bill Russell grabbed 44 rebounds, scored 30 points. Elgin Baylor scored 41 points. Jerry West added 35 points.
Boston struggled with foul trouble as Tommy Heinsohn, Satch Sanders and Jim Loscutoff were all disqualified. The Celtics led 100-96 with 44 seconds left. The Lakers rallied to tie the score at 100.
Then it came down to Frank Selvy of the Lakers. With three seconds left, he missed an open 12-foot shot from the baseline that would have won the game. Instead, the game went into overtime -- and Sam Jones scored five of Boston's 10 points in the extra period. Jones finished with 27 points as the Celtics won the game and the series.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 12 on the list.
Boston struggled with foul trouble as Tommy Heinsohn, Satch Sanders and Jim Loscutoff were all disqualified. The Celtics led 100-96 with 44 seconds left. The Lakers rallied to tie the score at 100.
Then it came down to Frank Selvy of the Lakers. With three seconds left, he missed an open 12-foot shot from the baseline that would have won the game. Instead, the game went into overtime -- and Sam Jones scored five of Boston's 10 points in the extra period. Jones finished with 27 points as the Celtics won the game and the series.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 12 on the list.