1966 NBA Finals

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[edit] Series Summary

This was the iconic Celtics 8th Consecutive NBA Finals Championship, an unprecendented feat in any sport. Before Game 7, upon being trounced by LA in Game 6, Auerbach, who had challenged the entire league to topple The Celtics from their reign by announcing he would retire after 1965-1966 before the season had started (thus giving his detractors "one last shot" at him), announced Bill Russell as The Celtics coach for 1966-1967 and beyond. He would be the first African-American to coach in the NBA. The Lakers coach, Fred Schaus, privately fumed that Red's hiring had taken away all of the accolades his Lakers should have received following their tremendous Game 6 win. Sure enough, Boston took Game 7 by one basket, and Red retired as a champion.

Game Date Home Team Result Road Team
Game 1 April 17 Boston 129-133 Los Angeles
Game 2 April 19 Boston 129-109 Los Angeles
Game 3 April 20 Los Angeles 106-120 Boston
Game 4 April 22 Los Angeles 117-122 Boston
Game 5 April 24 Boston 117-121 Los Angeles
Game 6 April 26 Los Angeles 123-115 Boston
Game 7 April 28 Boston 95-93 Los Angeles

Celtics win series 4-3

Preceded by
1965 NBA Finals
NBA Finals
1966
Succeeded by
1967 NBA Finals