1958 NBA Finals
| 1958 NBA champions banner at State Farm Arena | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Dates | March 29–April 12 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall of Famers | Celtics: Bill Russell (as a player and coach) Andy Phillip Arnie Risen Tom Heinsohn (as a player and coach) Bob Cousy Frank Ramsey Sam Jones Bill Sharman (as a player and coach) Hawks: Slater Martin Ed Macauley Cliff Hagan Bob Pettit Coaches: Alex Hannum Red Auerbach | |||||||||
| Eastern finals | Celtics defeated Warriors, 4–1 | |||||||||
| Western finals | Hawks defeated Pistons, 4–1 | |||||||||
The 1958 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series for the 1957–58 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. It pitted the Western Division champion St. Louis Hawks against the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics. The Hawks won the series in six games to win the franchise's first and only NBA title. This was the last Finals until 1967 that was not won by the Celtics, and the last until 1971 that was won by the Western Division or Conference.
Recap
[edit ]After being defeated by the Celtics in Game 7 of the 1957 NBA Finals, St. Louis survived a sometimes difficult 1957-58 NBA season en route to winning the Western Division crown with a 41–31 record. The Celtics, meanwhile, had dominated the Eastern Division with a 49–23 record.[1] This was the third meeting between teams from Boston and St. Louis for a major professional sports championship.[2]
The Hawks upset the Celtics (with a healthy Russell) in Game 1 at the Boston Garden, 104–102.[3] Boston struck back with a wipeout in Game 2, 136–112.[4] In St. Louis, the Hawks prevailed 111–108 in Game 3 when Russell severely sprained his ankle.[5] [1] Without Russell, the Celtics evened the series with a 109-98 surprise victory in Game 4.[6] St. Louis forced a 102–100 win in Game 5 in Boston to take the series lead.[7] [1]
Back home in Kiel Auditorium on April 12, the Hawks weren't about to miss their opportunity to defeat the defending champions. Pettit turned in a spectacular performance. He scored 31 points in the first three quarters, then zoomed off in the final period, nailing 19 of his team's last 21 points. His last two points, on a tip-in with 15 seconds remaining, put the Hawks ahead 110–107. The Celtics scored one final bucket but could do no more. The Hawks finally had a title, 110–109.[1] Pettit had scored 50 points, including 18 of the Hawks' final 21 points in propelling the Hawks to the championship.[8] Pettit's 50 points set a new Finals record for most scored by a player in a series-clinching game, a record that would finally be tied by Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021
Most observers[who? ] figured that the Celtics probably would have won the 1958 title if Russell had not suffered his ankle injury in game 3.[1] Auerbach, however, found no comfort in that opinion. "You can always look for excuses," he said. "We just got beat."[1]
Series summary
[edit ]| Game | Date | Home team | Result | Road team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | March 29 | Boston Celtics | 102–104 (0–1) | St. Louis Hawks |
| Game 2 | March 30 | Boston Celtics | 136–112 (1–1) | St. Louis Hawks |
| Game 3 | April 2 | St. Louis Hawks | 111–108 (2–1) | Boston Celtics |
| Game 4 | April 5 | St. Louis Hawks | 98–109 (2–2) | Boston Celtics |
| Game 5 | April 9 | Boston Celtics | 100–102 (2–3) | St. Louis Hawks |
| Game 6 | April 12 | St. Louis Hawks | 110–109 (4–2) | Boston Celtics |
Hawks win series 4–2
Team rosters
[edit ]St. Louis Hawks
[edit ]Boston Celtics
[edit ]Game summaries
[edit ]Game 1
[edit ]Rebs: Bob Pettit 19
Asts: Jack McMahon 5 Pts: Bob Cousy 27
Rebs: Bill Russell 29
Asts: Bob Cousy 5
Game 2
[edit ]Rebs: Cliff Hagan 12
Asts: Hagan, Pettit, McMahon 3 Pts: Bob Cousy 25
Rebs: Bill Russell 27
Asts: Bob Cousy 10
Referees: Rudolph, Heft
Game 3
[edit ]Rebs: Bill Russell 13
Asts: Bob Cousy 7 Pts: Bob Pettit 32
Rebs: Bob Pettit 19
Asts: Jack McMahon 7
Game 4
[edit ]Rebs: Cousy, Ramsey, Heinsohn 13 each
Asts: Bob Cousy 10 Pts: Cliff Hagan 27
Rebs: Bob Pettit 17
Asts: Wilfong Share 9 each
Referees: Heft, Rudolph
Game 5
[edit ]Rebs: Bob Pettit 21
Asts: Slater Martin 5 Pts: Frank Ramsey 30
Rebs: Frank Ramsey 20
Asts: Bob Cousy 5
Referees: Rudolph, Heft
Game 6
[edit ]See also
[edit ]References
[edit ]- ^ a b c d e f "NBA.com: Pettit Drops 50 on Celtics in Game 6". NBA.com . Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ Flores Jr., Johnny (May 21, 2019). "Boston & St. Louis meet for 11th time, only two to meet in NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL finals". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ "St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, March 29, 1958".
- ^ "St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, March 30, 1958".
- ^ "Boston Celtics at St. Louis Hawks Box Score, April 2, 1958".
- ^ "Boston Celtics at St. Louis Hawks Box Score, April 5, 1958".
- ^ "St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 9, 1958".
- ^ "Boston Celtics at St. Louis Hawks Box Score, April 12, 1958".
- 1957-58 NBA Season Summary, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
External links
[edit ]- 1957–58 NBA season
- NBA Finals
- St. Louis Hawks games
- Boston Celtics games
- March 1958 sports events in the United States
- April 1958 sports events in the United States
- Basketball competitions in Boston
- Basketball competitions in St. Louis
- 1950s in Boston
- 1950s in St. Louis
- 1958 in sports in Massachusetts
- 1958 in sports in Missouri