Just watched a replay of Game-6 of the 1963 NBA Finals - Celtics versus Lakers. Brings back a lot.
Celtics took the game (112=109) and the 1963 Championship. The game was close.
This was Bob Cousy's last game as a Boston Celtic. He had 18 points and seven assists, even hampered by an ankile injury sustained late in the game.
Tom Heinsohn was the hero - sealing the win with a key offensive rebound, put-back - all while getting fouled. He was high scorer for Boston with 22 points, while taking down nine boards.
Ferocious is what describes Bill Russell's rebounding prowess. He had 24 rebounds in this one, but I had forgotten his passing skills from the low post. He too game honors in both rebounding AND assists (9 of them).
I had also (somewhat) forgotten Elgin Baylor's overall superb talent and his "head-shake" habit as he brought the ball over half court. he had a line of 28/8/8 in this contest.
Jerry West had a line of 32P/7R/9A - just a routine night for the Lakers star.
Who had the most shot attempts for Boston? No, it wasn't Tommy. He "only" had 18 shot attempts to John Havlicek's 20. Hondo was learning fast from "Tommy Gun".
Post game, Red Auerbach was quick to point out that the world had pegged the Celtics as "dead" in this series, but The Green took the Title on the Lakers home court.
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