On this day: Boston first team to 61 wins; Scott dealt for Silas
On this day in Boston Celtics history, the franchise became the first team in NBA history to win 61 games in a single season in 1965, besting their own record from the 1961-62 campaign.
The big win came in a 106-98 victory over the (then) San Francisco (now, Golden State) Warriors at the old Boston Garden that saw iconic Celtics center Bill Russell lead Boston with 20 points, 41 rebounds, and 4 assists to secure the home win. Veteran guard Sam Jones added 24 points and 5 boards, and forward John Havlicek chipped in another 22 points and 6 rebounds.
The Celtics would close the season with one more win to push the record to 62 wins with a victory over the (then) Cincinnati Royals on March 21.
Celtics coach Red Auerbach takes a shower with his clothes on as Bill Russell adds a little persuasion after Boston won its seventh consecutive NBA championship in 1965. AP Photo.
It is also the date of when the Phoenix Suns dealt forward Paul Silas to the Celtics in 1972 for veteran guard Charlie Scott.
It would take Boston until September of that year to convince Silas to actually suit up for Boston.
Unknown date; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Paul Silas (35) in action against the Atlanta Hawks at The Omni. Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
It took legendary Red Auerbach a lot of time to sell Silas on the move, but the two clicked and the Creighton product eventually signed on with enthusiasm.
“I’d talk to him about basketball, about this, about that, whatever,” Silas explained in an interview with Grantland’s Jonathan Abrams.
“It was just special. He was so smart and I began to love being there.”
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
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