Boston Celtics Beat St Louis for NBA Crown
On April 13, 1957 – 1957: It’s not the veterans but two rookies and a second-year player who are instrumental in the Boston Celtics winning their first NBA championship. The youngsters thrive under the Game 7 pressure as the Celtics win a thriller, 125-123, over the St. Louis Hawks in double overtime in Boston Garden.
Forward Tommy Heinsohn, the Rookie of the Year, scores 37 points before fouling out in the second OT. Fellow rookie Bill Russell grabs 32 rebounds and scores 19 points. Second-year forward Frank Ramsey, on loan from the Army, puts the Celtics ahead for good at 122-121 with a foul shot with 1:35 left and then increases the lead to three with a long hander 20 seconds later. He finishes with 16 points.
Boston’s veteran starting backcourt of Bob Cousy (12 points) and Bill Sharman (nine) account for just 21 points.
The Hawks’ Bob Pettit, who scores a game-high 39 points, sends the game into overtime with two foul shots with six seconds left in the fourth quarter. Heinsohn’s layup with 15 seconds remaining in the first overtime puts Boston up 113-111, but the Hawks’ Jack Coleman ties the game on a one-hander.
Before the game, Celtics coach Red Auerbach and Hawks owner Ben Kerner shake hands. Earlier in the series, Auerbach had punched Kerner after they got into a heated argument. The title is the first of 11 the Celtics will win in 13 seasons.
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