Overview
This marked the end of the greatest run in professional sports, with the Boston Celtics winning their record eighth consecutive championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers four games to two.
The Lakers almost blew a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals before winning Game 7 against St. Louis. Los Angeles won Game 1 of the Finals in Boston but could not keep its momentum.
Los Angeles had Elgin Baylor for the 1966 Finals; he was injured and sidelined the prior championship series.
The Lakers almost blew a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals before winning Game 7 against St. Louis. Los Angeles won Game 1 of the Finals in Boston but could not keep its momentum.
Los Angeles had Elgin Baylor for the 1966 Finals; he was injured and sidelined the prior championship series.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Lakers | Celtics |
| Regular Season | 45-35, 1st in Western Division | 54-26, 2nd in Eastern Division |
| Division Semifinals | Bye | Def. Cincinnati, 3-2 |
| Division Finals | Def. St. Louis, 4-3 | Def. Philadelphia, 4-1 |
Game 1 - Lakers 133, Celtics 129 (OT)
Jerry West (41) and Elgin Baylor (36) combined for 77 points, but it was the play of rookie Gail Goodrich that helped make a difference.
Goodrich, who won back-to-back championships at UCLA in 1964 and '65, scored 20 points in the overtime surprise at Boston. He was bothered by exhaustion and leg cramps late in the contest.
Bill Russell scored 28 points while pulling down 26 rebounds, but it was his goaltending call with 30 seconds left that coach Red Auerbach deemed pivotal in the loss. Auerbach claimed referee Mendy Rudolph gave the Lakers the game with that call.
That basket, credited to Baylor, gave the Lakers a 2-point lead. Boston tied the contest and sent it into overtime.
The Celtics built up an early 38-20 lead. Los Angeles responded in a 41-point second quarter.
One other key was the foul line: the Lakers were 39-of-55, the Celtics 27-of-34.
Goodrich, who won back-to-back championships at UCLA in 1964 and '65, scored 20 points in the overtime surprise at Boston. He was bothered by exhaustion and leg cramps late in the contest.
Bill Russell scored 28 points while pulling down 26 rebounds, but it was his goaltending call with 30 seconds left that coach Red Auerbach deemed pivotal in the loss. Auerbach claimed referee Mendy Rudolph gave the Lakers the game with that call.
That basket, credited to Baylor, gave the Lakers a 2-point lead. Boston tied the contest and sent it into overtime.
The Celtics built up an early 38-20 lead. Los Angeles responded in a 41-point second quarter.
One other key was the foul line: the Lakers were 39-of-55, the Celtics 27-of-34.
Game 2 - Celtics 129, Lakers 109
Boston bounced back from a Game 1 loss, one day after it was announced that Bill Russell would take over as player-coach next season.
The Celtics took control early, building up a 10-point lead after one quarter and a 71-47 margin at halftime.
Sam Jones and John Havlicek led Boston with 21 points apiece. Russell celebrated his future title with 19 points and 24 rebounds. Future Georgetown coach John Thompson saw his only action in the series for Boston.
Jerry West had 18 points, while Elgin Baylor was limited to 13.
The Celtics took control early, building up a 10-point lead after one quarter and a 71-47 margin at halftime.
Sam Jones and John Havlicek led Boston with 21 points apiece. Russell celebrated his future title with 19 points and 24 rebounds. Future Georgetown coach John Thompson saw his only action in the series for Boston.
Jerry West had 18 points, while Elgin Baylor was limited to 13.
Game 3 - Celtics 120, Lakers 106
After leading by 1 point at halftime (57-56), the Celtics enjoyed a 35-19 margin in the third quarter en route to the victory.
Sam Jones had his best performance of the series to date, scoring 36 points, including 12-of-13 from the foul line. Satch Sanders added 22 points while John Havlicek scored 21.
Jerry West scored 34 points. Elgin Baylor, bothered by a thumb injury, had 18.
Sam Jones had his best performance of the series to date, scoring 36 points, including 12-of-13 from the foul line. Satch Sanders added 22 points while John Havlicek scored 21.
Jerry West scored 34 points. Elgin Baylor, bothered by a thumb injury, had 18.
Game 4 - Celtics 122, Lakers 117
John Havlicek scored 32 points and Bill Russell added 25, as the Celtics moved up 3-1 in the series.
Jerry West scored 45 points in the loss.
Boston took a 66-56 lead into halftime. That's when referees Joe Gushue and Mendy Rudolph were approached by angry fans. Gushue was hit by a paper cup, though order was restored quickly.
Elgin Baylor scored 24 points despite a split nail on his thumb. Baylor took a painkiller shot to ease his suffering.
Jerry West scored 45 points in the loss.
Boston took a 66-56 lead into halftime. That's when referees Joe Gushue and Mendy Rudolph were approached by angry fans. Gushue was hit by a paper cup, though order was restored quickly.
Elgin Baylor scored 24 points despite a split nail on his thumb. Baylor took a painkiller shot to ease his suffering.
Game 5 - Lakers 121, Celtics 117
Elgin Baylor (41) and Jerry West (31) totaled 72 points as the Lakers stayed alive. It marked the fourth time in five games that the road team prevailed in this series.
West scored 4 points in the final 33 seconds to give the Lakers the surprising road win.
It also extended Red Auerbach's career for at least one more game.
Bill Russell scored 32 points in defeat.
West scored 4 points in the final 33 seconds to give the Lakers the surprising road win.
It also extended Red Auerbach's career for at least one more game.
Bill Russell scored 32 points in defeat.
Game 6 - Lakers 123, Celtics 115
The Lakers had three players score 25 or more points to send the series to a seventh game. Jerry West scored 32 points, Gail Goodrich added 28, and Elgin Baylor chipped in with 25.
Los Angeles hit 14 more field goals in the victory. Boston went to the foul line 25 more times (55-30) while scoring 20 more points from the charity stripe (43-23).
Four Celtics scored 20+ points, led by John Havlicek with 27.
Los Angeles hit 14 more field goals in the victory. Boston went to the foul line 25 more times (55-30) while scoring 20 more points from the charity stripe (43-23).
Four Celtics scored 20+ points, led by John Havlicek with 27.
Game 7 - Celtics 95, Lakers 93
Boston's defense came through as the Celtics gave Red Auerbach a retirement party and another championship.
The Lakers went 8 1/2 minutes without a field goal in the second quarter. Los Angeles had its lowest point total of the series - 13 fewer than its previous low.
Jerry West had 23 of his 36 points in the second half, but it was not enough.
Boston hung on despite K.C. Jones committing a late turnover, slipping on a container of an orange drink that was thrown onto the court.
The Celtics led 59-40 in the third quarter, but the Lakers fought back.
Bill Russell pulled down 32 rebounds.
The Lakers went 8 1/2 minutes without a field goal in the second quarter. Los Angeles had its lowest point total of the series - 13 fewer than its previous low.
Jerry West had 23 of his 36 points in the second half, but it was not enough.
Boston hung on despite K.C. Jones committing a late turnover, slipping on a container of an orange drink that was thrown onto the court.
The Celtics led 59-40 in the third quarter, but the Lakers fought back.
Bill Russell pulled down 32 rebounds.