Overview
The Celtics returned to the championship arena, knocking off the rival Lakers in six games. With Boston coming off a tough seven-game series against Philadelphia, the expectations favored the well-rested Lakers. Los Angeles had lots of time off before this series because it swept San Francisco in the conference finals. Boston won its 10th NBA championship and first under the tutelage of coach Bill Russell.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Lakers | Celtics |
| Regular Season | 52-30, 2nd in Western Division | 54-28, 2nd in Eastern Division |
| Division Semifinals | Def. Chicago, 4-1 | Def. Detroit, 4-2 |
| Division Finals | Def. San Francisco, 4-0 | Def. Philadelphia, 4-3 |
Game 1 - Celtics 107, Lakers 101
The Celtics rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to prevail at home.
Bailey Howell led Boston with 20 points. The Celtics enjoyed a balanced attack with four players scoring 19 or more points.
Bill Russell had a dominant performance, scoring 19 points while grabbing 25 rebounds.
Jerry West led the Lakers with 25 points, but shot 1-of-9 from the floor in the pivotal fourth quarter. The Celtics enjoyed a 26-16 margin in that final period.
Bailey Howell led Boston with 20 points. The Celtics enjoyed a balanced attack with four players scoring 19 or more points.
Bill Russell had a dominant performance, scoring 19 points while grabbing 25 rebounds.
Jerry West led the Lakers with 25 points, but shot 1-of-9 from the floor in the pivotal fourth quarter. The Celtics enjoyed a 26-16 margin in that final period.
Game 2 - Lakers 123, Celtics 113
Using a fast-breaking attack and 35 points from Jerry West, the Lakers evened the series.
Los Angeles broke open a close game (tied 54-54 at halftime), using an 11-0 run to take control.
Elgin Baylor came through with 23 points while Tommy Hawkins added 19.
John Havlicek led the Celtics with 24 points while Don Nelson added 20. Bailey Howell, who had a strong showing in Game 1, fouled out with 15 points in Game 2.
Los Angeles broke open a close game (tied 54-54 at halftime), using an 11-0 run to take control.
Elgin Baylor came through with 23 points while Tommy Hawkins added 19.
John Havlicek led the Celtics with 24 points while Don Nelson added 20. Bailey Howell, who had a strong showing in Game 1, fouled out with 15 points in Game 2.
Game 3 - Celtics 127, Lakers 119
The Celtics came out on fire, shooting 55 percent in the first half.
Boston had four players score 20 or more points -- John Havlicek led the way with 27, Larry Siegfried had 26, Bill Russell scored 25 (also had 16 boards) and Sam Jones had 20.
Jerry West (33) and Elgin Baylor (28) kept the Lakers in the game.
Archie Clark added 17 points in the losing effort.
Boston had four players score 20 or more points -- John Havlicek led the way with 27, Larry Siegfried had 26, Bill Russell scored 25 (also had 16 boards) and Sam Jones had 20.
Jerry West (33) and Elgin Baylor (28) kept the Lakers in the game.
Archie Clark added 17 points in the losing effort.
Game 4 - Lakers 119, Celtics 105
Los Angeles tied the series as Jerry West (38) and Elgin Baylor (30) combined for 68 points. West suffered an ankle injury in the game's final minute but did not complain about it.
Lakers coach Butch Van Breda Kolff did not get to enjoy the contest -- he was ejected with two technical fouls. Gail Goodrich coached the team for the remainder of the contest.
Boston again showed great balance with three players scoring at least 20 -- Bailey Howell had 24, John Havlicek scored 23 and Sam Jones netted 20.
Bill Russell was held in check, scoring just two field goals.
Lakers coach Butch Van Breda Kolff did not get to enjoy the contest -- he was ejected with two technical fouls. Gail Goodrich coached the team for the remainder of the contest.
Boston again showed great balance with three players scoring at least 20 -- Bailey Howell had 24, John Havlicek scored 23 and Sam Jones netted 20.
Bill Russell was held in check, scoring just two field goals.
Game 5 - Celtics 120, Lakers 117 (OT)
The Celtics saw a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter disappear as the game went into overtime. Then Don Nelson came through.
Nelson had five points in the extra session while John Havlicek added four important points in overtime as Boston took the series lead back.
Havlicek finished with 31 points while Nelson ended up scoring 26. Bill Russell also came through with 22 points.
Havlicek's jumper with 38 seconds left in overtime gave Boston a lead it would not relinquish.
Jerry West (35) and Elgin Baylor (24) combined for 59 points.
Nelson had five points in the extra session while John Havlicek added four important points in overtime as Boston took the series lead back.
Havlicek finished with 31 points while Nelson ended up scoring 26. Bill Russell also came through with 22 points.
Havlicek's jumper with 38 seconds left in overtime gave Boston a lead it would not relinquish.
Jerry West (35) and Elgin Baylor (24) combined for 59 points.
Game 6 - Celtics 124, Lakers 109
Boston locked up its ninth title in 10 seasons as John Havlicek (40) and Bailey Howell (30) led the Celtics to a convincing road win.
Havlicek made 14 of 28 field goal attempts and all 12 of his free throw tries. Howell converted 13 of 22 from the floor. Bill Russell celebrated his first championship as a player-coach with 12 points and 19 rebounds.
Boston meant business, jumping out to a 70-50 halftime lead and coasting home to the victory.
Jerry West was hampered by an ankle injury and finished with 22 points, making 8 of 19 shots from the floor. Mel Counts grabbed 25 rebounds in the loss.
Havlicek made 14 of 28 field goal attempts and all 12 of his free throw tries. Howell converted 13 of 22 from the floor. Bill Russell celebrated his first championship as a player-coach with 12 points and 19 rebounds.
Boston meant business, jumping out to a 70-50 halftime lead and coasting home to the victory.
Jerry West was hampered by an ankle injury and finished with 22 points, making 8 of 19 shots from the floor. Mel Counts grabbed 25 rebounds in the loss.