1957 NBA Finals

1957 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1956–57 NBA season and the culmination of the NBA playoffs. The Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics, led by coach Red Auerbach, faced the Western Division champion St. Louis Hawks, coached by Alex Hannum. This dramatic seven-game series, which included the first double-overtime game in NBA Finals history, culminated in the Celtics winning their first NBA championship in franchise history, beginning a dynasty that would dominate the league.

Background

The Boston Celtics, built around the playmaking of Bob Cousy and the defensive genius of rookie Bill Russell, finished the regular season with the league's best record. Their innovative fast-break offense, orchestrated by Red Auerbach, revolutionized the game. The St. Louis Hawks, anchored by the prolific scoring of Bob Pettit and bolstered by the acquisition of Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley in a prior trade with the Celtics, emerged as a powerhouse in the Western Division. The stage was set for a clash between the Celtics' new team-oriented system and the Hawks' formidable frontcourt talent, with many anticipating a battle between Bob Pettit and Bill Russell.

Finals Summary

The series was intensely competitive, featuring multiple close games and shifting momentum. The Boston Celtics captured Game 1 at the Boston Garden, but the St. Louis Hawks responded by winning Game 2 in double-overtime, a Finals first, behind a heroic 39-point performance from Bob Pettit. The Hawks then took a 2-1 series lead by winning Game 3 at the Kiel Auditorium. The Celtics evened the series, but the Hawks again seized the advantage with a pivotal Game 5 victory. Facing elimination in Game 6, the Celtics forced a decisive seventh game back in Boston. The final game was a classic, decided by a mere two points in double-overtime, with key plays from Jim Loscutoff, Frank Ramsey, and Bill Russell securing the title for the Celtics.

Series

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Game !! Date !! Road Team !! Result !! Home Team |- | Game 1 || March 30 || St. Louis Hawks || 125–123 (2OT) || Boston Celtics |- | Game 2 || March 31 || St. Louis Hawks || 119–99 || Boston Celtics |- | Game 3 || April 3 || Boston Celtics || 100–98 || St. Louis Hawks |- | Game 4 || April 6 || Boston Celtics || 123–118 || St. Louis Hawks |- | Game 5 || April 7 || Boston Celtics || 109–104 || St. Louis Hawks |- | Game 6 || April 9 || St. Louis Hawks || 96–94 || Boston Celtics |- | Game 7 || April 13 || St. Louis Hawks || 125–123 (2OT) || Boston Celtics |- | colspan="5" | Boston Celtics win series 4–3 |}

Rosters

Boston Celtics

* Head Coach: Red Auerbach * Players: Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Tom Heinsohn (Rookie of the Year), Bill Russell, Frank Ramsey, Jim Loscutoff, Arnie Risen, Lou Tsioropoulos, Andy Phillip, Jack Nichols

St. Louis Hawks

* Head Coach: Alex Hannum * Players: Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagan, Slater Martin, Jack McMahon, Chuck Share, Med Park, Alex Hannum (player-coach), Win Wilfong, Pettit was the league's scoring champion that season.

Category:NBA Finals Category:1957 in sports in Massachusetts Category:1957 in sports in Missouri Category:Boston Celtics Category:St. Louis Hawks