Game 6
Dave Cowens got into foul trouble early and watched from the bench as
Milwaukee took a 12-point lead in the first half. The
Celtics were down by six late in the game, but they came back to force overtime.
John Havlicek hit a long jumper to tie it at 86-86 with a little over a minute left, then
Oscar Robertson was caught in a 24-second violation as time expired
. In the first overtime, Milwaukee led 90-88 when
Don Chaney got a steal and passed to Havlicek.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was back on defense and forced Havlicek to take a pull-up jumper. Havlicek missed but got the long rebound and scored to send the game into a second overtime.
The second overtime was a furious nip-and-tuck affair, with the lead changing hands 11 times. After
Bob Dandridge hit a pair of free throws, Havlicek, who had nine of his team's 11 points in the period, hit a short jumper from the baseline and was fouled by Dandridge. Havlicek hit the foul shot to put the Celtics up 93-92. Then, the frenzied exchange of baskets occurred with neither team leading by more than a
point. Abdul-Jabbar hit a skyhook, then Havlicek hit a jumper. Oscar Robertson then scored the next two Bucks baskets, sandwiching a
Jo Jo White jumper. Then, Havlicek scored again. On the next possession, Dave Cowens fouled Abdul-Jabbar in the lane, his sixth.
Mickey Davis put the Bucks up 100-99 with a basket with 24 seconds left. With the shot clock turned off, the Celtics worked for a final shot.
Coach Tom Heinsohn screamed for a timeout, but with seven seconds left, Havlicek lofted a baseline rainbow over Abdul-Jabbar for a 101-100 lead.
The Bucks called for a timeout, and instead of setting up a play for Abdul-Jabbar, strangely decided to set up a play for a hobbled
Jon McGlocklin where Abdul-Jabbar would set a pick from the high post. McGlocklin couldn't get free, however, and
Davis was covered as he cut to the basket. Abdul-Jabbar, with the ball, moved to the right of the lane, dribbled to the baseline, and let fly a "sky-hook" from 17 feet which swished in with two seconds left. Jo Jo White put up a failed desperation heave, and that was it. The series was tied at three games apiece and going back to Milwaukee. Havlicek ended with a game-high 36 points and Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks with 34 points, including the game-winner.
Game 7
Home court advantage apparently meant very little in this series. The Celtics decided to abandon man-to-man defense and double and triple team Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who still scored 26 points. This freed Dave Cowens more on the offensive end, as he hit 8 of 13 shots in the first half on his way to 28 points and 14 rebounds. John Havlicek added 16 as the Celtics cruised to an easy 102-87 win and their first title in the "post-Bill
Russell era."
- published: 16 Oct 2015
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