Lakers-Celtics

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is not only the greatest team rivalry in pro basketball, but also the greatest championship rivalry in America.  The Lakers and Celtics have met for the championship 12 times - a record across all major sports.  Their combined 33 titles account for almost half of all NBA championships.

In addition to the team's rivalry, basketball's two greatest one-on-one rivalries played out on the Lakers-Celtics stage.  The Wilt Chamberlain-Bill Russell rivalry largely took place while Wilt played for the Warriors and 76ers, but the final chapter was written in the 1969 NBA Finals.  The Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry returned the teams back to the Finals spotlight and rejuvenated the fledgling NBA.

NBA Finals
1959 1962
 		1963
Boston 4
Minneapolis 0
Lakers 115, Celtics 118
Lakers 108, Celtics 128
Celtics 122, Lakers 110
Celtics 118, Lakers 113
Composite Box Score
 Boston 4
Los Angeles 3
Lakers 108, Celtics 122
Lakers 129, Celtics 122
Celtics 115, Lakers 117
Celtics 115, Lakers 103
Lakers 126, Celtics 121
Celtics 119, Lakers 105
Lakers 107, Celtics 110 OT
Composite Box Score
 Boston 4
Los Angeles 2
Lakers 106, Celtics 113
 Lakers 114, Celtics 117
Celtics 99, Lakers 119
Celtics 108, Lakers 105
Lakers 126, Celtics 119
Celtics 112, Lakers 109
Composite Box Score
1965
 		1966 1968
Boston 4
Los Angeles 1
Lakers 110, Celtics 142
Lakers 123, Celtics 129
Celtics 105, Lakers 126
Celtics 112, Lakers 99
Lakers 96, Celtics 129
Composite Box Score
 Boston 4
  Los Angeles 3
Lakers 133, Celtics 129 OT
Lakers 109, Celtics 129
Celtics 120, Lakers 106
Celtics 122, Lakers 117
Lakers 121, Celtics 117
Celtics 115, Lakers 123
Lakers 93, Celtics 95
Composite Box Score
 Boston 4
Los Angeles 2
Lakers 101, Celtics 107
Lakers 123, Celtics 113
Celtics 127, Lakers 119
Celtics 105, Lakers 118
Lakers 117, Celtics 120 OT
Celtics 124, Lakers 109
Composite Box Score
1969
 		1984
 		1985
Boston 4
Los Angeles 3
Celtics 118, Lakers 120
Celtics 112, Lakers 120
Lakers 112, Celtics 120
Lakers 88, Celtics 89
Celtics 104, Lakers 117
Lakers 90, Celtics 99
Celtics 108, Lakers 106
Composite Box Score
 Boston 4
Los Angeles 3
Lakers 115, Celtics 109
Lakers 121, Celtics 124 OT
Celtics 104, Lakers 137
Celtics 129, Lakers 125 OT
Lakers 103, Celtics 121
Celtics 108, Lakers 119
Lakers 102, Celtics 111
Composite Box Score
 Los Angeles 4
Boston 2
Lakers 114, Celtics 148
Lakers 109, Celtics 102
Celtics 111, Lakers 136
Celtics 107, Lakers 105
Celtics 111, Lakers 120
Lakers 111, Celtics 100
Composite Box Score
1987
 2008
 2010
Los Angeles 4
Boston 2
Celtics 113, Lakers 126
Celtics 122, Lakers 141
Lakers 103, Celtics 109
Lakers 107, Celtics 106
Lakers 108, Celtics 123
Celtics 93, Lakers 106
Composite Box Score
 Boston 4
Los Angeles 2
Lakers 88, Celtics 98
Lakers 102, Celtics 108
Celtics 81, Lakers 87
Celtics 97, Lakers 91
Celtics 98, Lakers 103
Lakers 92, Celtics 131
Composite Box Score 		Los Angeles 4
Boston 3
Celtics 89, Lakers 102
Celtics 103, Lakers 94
Lakers 91, Celtics 84
Lakers 89, Celtics 96
Lakers 86, Celtics 92
Celtics 67, Lakers 89
Celtics 79, Lakers 83
Composite Box Score
 
 
 
  Finals Notes
Lakers
Celtics

3 Series Won
 9
31 Games Won
 43
20-16 Home Record 27-11
8121
109.7 pg 		Points 8242
111.4 pg
1 Game 7 Wins 4

Near Finals Match-Ups
(One Team Made Finals, Other Lost in Conference Finals)
1953 Celtics lost to Knicks 3-1 1973 Celtics lost to Knicks 4-3
1954 Celtics lost to Nat'ls 2-0 1980 Celtics lost to 76ers 4-1
1957 Lakers lost to Hawks 3-0 1982 Celtics lost to 76ers 4-3
1960 Lakers lost to Hawks 4-3 1986 Lakers lost to Rockets 4-1
1961 Lakers lost to Hawks 4-3 1988 Celtics lost to Pistons 4-2
1972 Celtics lost to Knicks 4-1 2002 Celtics lost to Nets 4-2


Regular Season Notes
2017-18 Season
Nov 8 - LA 96 @Bos 107
 Jan 23 - Bos 107 @LA 108

Lakers All-Time Celtics
129 Wins
 159
37 Lakers in Minneapolis
 54
92 Lakers in Los Angeles
 105
76-52 Home Record 80-48
5 Neutral Site Wins 27
29981
104.1 ppg 		Points 30569
106.1 ppg
8 Overtime Wins 7
5
3 Times 		Longest Winning Streak 18
11/6/1957-3/3/59
141
2/11/1968 		Most Points Scored 173
2/27/1959
Highest Scoring Game: 312 Points
(Celtics 173-139, 2/27/59)
Longest Game: 2 OT
(Lakers 98-96, 3/11/51)

Wins by Decade
1948-59 Celtics 46-36 1989-99 Lakers 10-8
1959-69 Celtics 57-31 1999-09 Lakers 13-7
1969-79 Celtics 24-18 2009-19 Lakers 10-8
1979-89 Lakers 11-9 Totals Celtics 159-129

Season Series Records
1948-59 Lakers 5-4-2 1989-99 Lakers 2-1-6
1959-69 Celtics 8-2-0 1999-09 Lakers 5-2-3
1969-79 Celtics 5-4-1 2009-19 Lakers 2-1-6
1979-89 Lakers 4-3-3 Totals Tied 24-24-21


Franchise Histories
(NBA Rank); Through 2015-16
First Year : 1949
 First Year : 1947
Wins : 3235 (1) Wins : 3221 (2)
Win Pct : .603 (1) Win Pct : .588 (3)
Playoff Appearances : 60 (1)
 Playoff Appearances : 53 (2)
Finals Appearances : 31 (1)
 Finals Appearances : 21 (2)
Championships : 16 (2)
 Championships : 17 (1)
All-Stars : 136 (2)
 All-Stars : 140 (1)
MVPs : 8 (2)
 MVPs : 10 (1)
Hall of Famers : 27 (2)
 Hall of Famers : 32 (1)

Players: 23
Players: 28

Coaches: 4
Coaches: 4
 
 
 
  Seven Game Series Videos

1962: Series Recap from PBS's "The Way It Was"

Part 2, Part 3

1966: Game 7


1969: Game 7, 4th Quarter


1984: Game 7


2010: Game 7 Highlights


 
 
2010 NBA Finals 






4
3
MVP: Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Pau Gasol
 7
 41.9 43-90
 .478
 0-2
 .000
 44-61
 .721
 1.9 2.6 0.7 3.7 11.6 18.6
Kobe Bryant
 7 41.1
 66-163
 .405
 15-47
 .319
 53-60
 .883
 3.9 0.7 2.1 3.9 8.0 28.6
Metta World Peace
 7
 35.9 26-72
 .361
 11-32
 .344
 11-20
 .550
 1.6 0.6 1.4 1.3 4.6 10.6
Derek Fisher
 7
 30.6 21-50
 .420
 2-10
 .200
 16-17
 .941
 1.3 0.0 0.9 2.0 3.0 8.6
Lamar Odom
 7
 27.4 23-47
 .489
 1-10
 .100
 6-11
 .545
 1.4 0.6 0.6 1.3 6.6 7.6
Andrew Bynum
 7
 25.0 19-42
 .452
 0-0
 - 14-20
 .700
 0.9 1.3 0.1 0.0 5.1 7.4
Jordan Farmar
 7
 12.6 9-28
 .321
 2-10
 .200
 1-2
 .500
 1.1 0.0 1.1 0.9 1.1 3.0
Shannon Brown
 7
 12.0 9-20
 .450
 0-3
 .000
 3-3
 1.000
 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.9 3.0
Sasha Vujacic
 7
 7.4 6-16
 .375
 4-10
 .400
 5-6
 .833
 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.7 1.0 3.0
Luke Walton
 4
 7.8 1-3
 .333
 0-0
 - 0-0
 - 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.8 0.5 0.5
Josh Powell
 2
 4.0 0-2
 .000
 0-1
 .000
 0-0
 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0
DJ Mbenga
 1
 3.0 0-1
 .000
 0-0
 - 0-0
 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0



233-534 .418 35-125 .280 153-200 .765 12.4 6.1 7.3 14.6 42.4 90.6

Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Paul Pierce 7 39.7 43-98 .439 8-20 .400 32-37 .865 2.6 0.9 0.7 3.0 5.3 18.0
Ray Allen 7 39.4 33-90 .367 12-41 .293 24-25 .960 1.7 0.0 0.7 1.7 2.7 14.6
Rajon Rondo 7 38.9 44-97 .454 2-6 .333 5-19 .263 2.7 0.3 1.6 7.6 6.3 13.6
Kevin Garnett 7 31.7 45-88 .511 0-1 .000 17-19 .895 1.6 1.3 1.4 3.0 5.6 15.3
Glen Davis 7 20.6 18-39 .462 0-0 - 11-16 .688 1.0 0.4 0.9 0.4 5.6 6.7
Rasheed Wallace 7 20.6 15-41 .366 5-21 .238 2-2 1.000 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.9 4.6 5.3
Tony Allen 7 14.7 8-24 .333 0-1 .000 6-7 .857 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.4 1.0 3.1
Nate Robinson 7 10.1 12-30 .400 5-15 .333 5-5 1.000 0.6 0.0 0.1 1.9 1.1 4.9
Kendrick Perkins 6 23.5 12-21 .571 0-0 - 11-17 .647 1.3 0.0 0.2 1.0 5.8 5.8
Shelden Williams 2 9.0 0-2 .000 0-0 - 0-0 - 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0
Michael Finley 2 2.5 0-1 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Marquis Daniels 2 2.0 1-2 .500 1-1 1.000 2-2 1.000 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.5
Brian Scalabrine 1 1.0 0-0 - 0-0 - 0-0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0



231-533 .433 33-107 .308 115-149 .772 13.1 4.3 7.0 19.7 37.9 87.1



2008 NBA Finals  






4
2
MVP: Paul Pierce
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Ray Allen 6 41.0 37-73 .507 22-42 .524 26-30 .867 1.8 0.7 1.3 2.5 5.0 20.3
Paul Pierce 6 38.8 38-88 .432 11-28 .393 44-53 .830 3.7 0.3 1.2 6.3 4.5 21.8
Kevin Garnett 6 38.0 45-105 .429 0-1 .000 19-25 .760 2.7 1.0 1.7 3.0 13.0 18.2
Rajon Rondo 6 27.0 20-53 .377 0-3 .000 16-27 .593 1.5 0.5 1.5 6.7 3.8 9.3
James Posey 6 25.2 14-28 .500 12-24 .500 12-12 1.000 0.8 0.2 1.3 0.5 3.8 8.7
P.J. Brown 6 19.5 9-23 .391 0-0 - 6-8 .750 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.7 3.2 4.0
Leon Powe 6 8.8 11-20 .550 0-0 - 15-21 .714 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.2 6.2
Kendrick Perkins 5 18.4 8-14 .571 0-0 - 4-6 .667 1.2 1.0 0.6 0.4 3.6 4.0
Sam Cassell 5 10.2 9-24 .375 0-6 .000 1-1 1.000 0.4 0.0 0.4 1.2 0.2 3.8
Eddie House 4 18.5 10-28 .357 7-17 .412 5-6 .833 0.5 0.0 0.3 2.5 2.5 8.0
Tony Allen 3 6.3 4-6 .667 0-0 - 0-0 - 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.3 2.7
Glen Davis 1 15.0 1-2 .500 0-0 - 1-2 .500 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 3.0



206-464 .444 52-121 .430 149-191 .780 12.8 4.0 8.7 23.0 42.2 102.2















Los Angeles Lakers
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Kobe Bryant 6 43.0 53-131 .405 9-28 .321 39-49 .796 3.8 0.2 2.7 5.0 4.7 25.7
Pau Gasol 6 39.0 33-62 .532 0-0 - 22-34 .647 2.2 0.5 0.5 3.3 10.2 14.7
Lamar Odom 6 36.7 31-60 .517 1-5 .200 18-28 .643 2.7 1.0 0.3 3.0 9.0 13.5
Derek Fisher 6 31.2 17-42 .405 3-16 .188 28-34 .824 1.5 0.0 1.5 3.2 1.5 10.8
Sasha Vujacic 6 22.0 18-46 .391 8-23 .348 6-7 .857 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.8 2.0 8.3
Vladimir Radmanovic 6 21.3 16-41 .390 10-26 .385 2-2 1.000 0.7 0.0 0.7 1.3 4.8 7.3
Jordan Farmar 6 19.2 15-31 .484 9-17 .529 3-4 .750 0.8 0.5 0.3 1.3 1.8 7.0
Luke Walton 6 11.0 5-16 .313 2-6 .333 3-4 .750 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.0 2.5
Ronny Turiaf 6 10.3 5-10 .500 0-0 - 1-4 .250 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.8
Trevor Ariza 5 7.0 5-9 .556 1-3 .333 2-4 .500 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.8 2.6
Chris Mihm 1 3.0 0-1 .000 0-0 - 0-0 - 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0



198-449 .441 43-124 .347 124-170 .729 13.5 3.2 6.8 19.3 37.2 93.8



1987 NBA Finals 






4
2
MVP: Magic Johnson
Los Angeles Lakers
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
James Worthy 6 39.7 57-109 .523 0-2 .000 10-19 .526 2.0 0.8 1.7 4.0 5.3 20.7
Magic Johnson 6 39.3 66-122 .541 1-2 .500 24-25 .960 2.2 0.3 2.3 13.0 8.0 26.2
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6 33.8 50-98 .510 0-1 .000 30-45 .667 1.7 2.5 0.5 0.8 7.3 21.7
Byron Scott 6 30.2 30-62 .484 1-12 .083 10-11 .909 1.0 0.2 0.5 2.3 3.0 11.8
Michael Cooper 6 29.8 27-50 .540 14-23 .609 4-4 1.000 2.2 0.3 1.7 4.7 2.3 12.0
Mychal Thompson 6 28.5 23-41 .561 0-0 - 21-27 .778 0.5 1.2 0.8 0.7 5.2 11.2
A.C. Green 6 24.0 20-40 .500 0-0 - 7-10 .700 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.2 5.2 7.8
Kurt Rambis 6 9.3 3-7 .429 0-0 - 5-6 .833 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.5 2.5 1.8
Wes Matthews 4 3.3 2-6 .333 0-0 - 1-2 .500 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 1.3
Adrian Branch 4 2.5 1-6 .167 0-1 .000 3-6 .500 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.8 1.3
Mike Smrek 4 2.3 1-3 .333 0-0 - 0-0 - 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.5



280-544 .515 16-41 .390 115-155 .742 11.1 5.8 8.3 26.7 40.3 115.2















Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Larry Bird 6 42.3 53-119 .445 4-8 .500 35-38 .921 3.0 1.2 1.2 5.5 10.0 24.2
Dennis Johnson 6 40.7 51-106 .481 1-8 .125 23-26 .885 1.3 0.5 0.5 9.3 4.3 21.0
Danny Ainge 6 39.0 31-61 .508 9-21 .429 4-4 1.000 2.0 0.3 1.2 5.0 3.0 12.5
Kevin McHale 6 38.5 48-82 .585 0-1 .000 27-33 .818 2.5 0.8 0.2 2.0 9.0 20.5
Robert Parish 6 30.5 42-71 .592 0-0 - 16-27 .593 1.5 1.2 0.8 1.2 6.5 16.7
Greg Kite 6 12.7 2-9 .222 0-0 - 1-2 .500 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.8 3.0 0.8
Jerry Sichting 6 9.3 4-15 .267 0-1 .000 0-0 - 0.3 0.0 0.3 1.8 0.7 1.3
Darren Daye 6 8.3 10-16 .625 0-0 - 7-7 1.000 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.7 1.3 4.5
Fred Roberts 5 8.0 8-11 .727 0-0 - 6-11 .545 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.6 1.8 4.4
Bill Walton 5 4.8 3-5 .600 0-0 - 0-0 - 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 1.0 1.2
Sam Vincent 4 8.3 6-12 .500 0-0 - 7-10 .700 0.5 0.3 0.3 1.3 1.0 4.8
Conner Henry 4 3.8 4-9 .444 0-3 .000 2-4 .500 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 2.5



262-516
 		.508
 		14-42
 		.333
 		128-162
 		.790
 		13.2
 		5.3
 		5.0
 		27.8
 		41.3
 		111.0



1985 NBA Finals 






4
2
MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Los Angeles Lakers
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Magic Johnson
 6
 39.2
 41-83
 .494
 1-2
 .500
 27-31
 .871
 3.3
 0.0
 2.2
 14.0
 6.8
 18.3
James Worthy
 6
 39.0
 57-101
 .564
 0-1
 .000
 28-40
 .700
 1.3
 0.5
 0.5
 3.2
 4.5
 23.7
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
 6
 35.5
 67-111
 .604
 0-0
 -
 20-26
 .769
 2.8
 1.5
 1.0
 5.2
 9.0
 25.7
Byron Scott
 6
 34.7
 30-76
 .395
 2-7
 .286
 5-9
 .556
 1.3
 0.2
 2.5
 2.2
 3.7
 11.2
Michael Cooper
 6
 25.5
 20-34
 .588
 2-6
 .333
 19-21
 .905
 0.3
 0.3
 1.2
 3.7
 2.0
 10.2
Kurt Rambis
 6
 22.0
 19-38
 .500
 0-0
 -
 7-13
 .538
 0.8
 0.5
 1.3
 0.8
 8.5
 7.5
Bob McAdoo
 6
 19.5
 22-58
 .379
 0-0
 -
 5-7
 .714
 1.7
 0.5
 0.0
 0.8
 3.0
 8.2
Mitch Kupchak
 6
 14.5
 11-20
 .550
 0-0
 -
 9-14
 .643
 0.0
 0.2
 0.2
 0.7
 3.3
 5.2
Larry Spriggs
 4
 6.8
 6-10
 .600
 0-0
 -
 2-4
 .500
 0.8
 0.3
 0.3
 1.5
 1.8
 3.5
Mike McGee
 4
 6.5
 5-10
 .500
 3-5
 .600
 6-9
 .667
 0.3
 0.0
 0.0
 0.5
 1.0
 4.8
Ronnie Lester
 2
 3.0
 0-2
 .000
 0-0
 -
 2-2
 1.000
 0.5
 0.0
 0.0
 0.5
 0.0
 1.0
Chuck Nevitt
 1
 2.0
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 1-2
 .500
 0.0
 1.0
 1.0
 0.0
 0.0
 1.0



278-543
 		.512
 		8-21
 		.381
 		131-178
 		.736
 		12.5
 		4.0
 		9.2
 		32.0
 		42.7
 		115.8















Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Dennis Johnson
 6
 41.2
 39-102
 .382
 0-8
 .000
 18-21
 .857
 3.3
 0.7
 1.7
 9.5
 4.3
 16.0
Larry Bird
 6
 40.2
 53-118
 .449
 3-9
 .333
 34-40
 .850
 2.2
 0.7
 1.8
 5.0
 8.8
 23.8
Kevin McHale
 6
 40.0
 58-97
 .598
 0-0
 -
 40-55
 .727
 2.7
 1.8
 0.3
 1.3
 10.7
 26.0
Robert Parish
 6
 37.2
 38-79
 .481
 0-0
 -
 27-35
 .771
 1.5
 1.8
 1.0
 2.0
 9.0
 17.2
Danny Ainge
 6
 33.8
 29-70
 .414
 2-5
 .400
 6-8
 .750
 1.5
 0.0
 1.7
 7.0
 3.0
 11.0
Scott Wedman
 6
 17.5
 22-36
 .611
 7-11
 .636
 5-9
 .556
 0.7
 0.0
 0.8
 1.7
 3.3
 9.3
Cedric Maxwell
 5
 10.8
 3-6
 .500
 0-0
 -
 7-10
 .700
 0.2
 0.0
 0.4
 0.2
 1.0
 2.6
Greg Kite
 5
 8.8
 4-9
 .444
 0-0
 -
 1-2
 .500
 0.2
 0.0
 0.2
 0.6
 2.0
 1.8
Ray Williams
 4
 9.3
 7-14
 .500
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 1.8
 0.0
 0.3
 2.8
 0.3
 3.5
Quinn Buckner
 4
 7.8
 6-11
 .545
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 1.0
 0.0
 0.3
 2.0
 1.5
 3.0
M.L. Carr
 3
 2.7
 3-8
 .375
 1-1
 1.000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.0
 0.0
 0.0
 0.3
 2.3
Carlos Clark
 2
 3.5
 1-2
 .500
 0-0
 -
 2-2
 1.000
 0.0
 0.0
 0.5
 1.5
 0.5
 2.0



263-552
 		.476
 		13-34
 		.382
 		140-182
 		.769
 		14.0
 		5.0
 		8.3
 		30.8
 		43.2
 		113.2



1984 NBA Finals 






4
3
MVP: Larry Bird
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Larry Bird
 7
 43.6
 62-128
 .484
 4-6
 .667
 64-76
 .842
 3.6
 1.1
 2.1
 3.6
 14.0
 27.4
Robert Parish
 7
 36.6
 44-100
 .440
 0-0
 -
 20-34
 .588
 2.0
 1.6
 1.6
 1.3
 11.4
 15.4
Dennis Johnson
 7
 36.4
 45-114
 .395
 1-2
 .500
 32-37
 .865
 2.6
 0.3
 1.6
 4.7
 3.0
 17.6
Cedric Maxwell
 7
 34.4
 22-48
 .458
 0-0
 -
 47-55
 .855
 2.0
 0.3
 1.1
 3.3
 5.6
 13.0
Kevin McHale
 7
 30.6
 33-73
 .452
 0-2
 .000
 28-36
 .778
 1.9
 1.1
 0.3
 1.1
 5.9
 13.4
Gerald Henderson
 7
 25.6
 37-79
 .468
 0-1
 .000
 12-18
 .667
 2.0
 0.0
 1.4
 4.0
 2.6
 12.3
Danny Ainge
 7
 14.0
 19-44
 .432
 1-4
 .250
 3-6
 .500
 0.7
 0.0
 0.7
 2.1
 1.1
 6.0
Quinn Buckner
 7
 8.0
 6-18
 .333
 0-1
 .000
 2-4
 .500
 0.3
 0.0
 0.1
 0.6
 0.9
 2.0
Scott Wedman
 4
 18.3
 17-37
 .459
 3-6
 .500
 0-0
 -
 1.5
 0.0
 0.0
 2.5
 5.3
 9.3
M.L. Carr
 4
 7.0
 4-11
 .364
 0-1
 .000
 5-6
 .833
 0.3
 0.0
 0.5
 0.5
 0.8
 3.3
Greg Kite
 4
 3.5
 1-4
 .250
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.3
 0.0
 0.3
 0.3
 0.5
Carlos Clark
 3
 3.7
 2-5
 .400
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.3
 0.0
 0.0
 0.3
 1.3



292-661
 		.442
 		9-23
 		.391
 		213-272
 		.783
 		16.0
 		4.7
 		9.3
 		22.6
 		48.1
 		115.1















Los Angeles Lakers
- G MP FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% TO BLK STL AST REB PTS
Magic Johnson
 7
 42.1
 47-84
 .560
 0-1
 .000
 32-43
 .744
 4.4
 0.9
 2.0
 13.6
 7.7
 18.0
James Worthy
 7
 39.1
 67-105
 .638
 0-1
 .000
 21-31
 .677
 2.3
 0.3
 1.0
 2.3
 4.4
 22.1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
 7
 38.9
 75-156
 .481
 0-0
 -
 36-53
 .679
 3.0
 2.1
 1.7
 4.4
 7.4
 26.6
Michael Cooper
 7
 37.4
 36-77
 .468
 5-10
 .500
 17-22
 .773
 1.3
 0.7
 1.1
 5.3
 3.6
 13.4
Kurt Rambis
 7
 22.3
 22-35
 .629
 0-0
 -
 6-11
 .545
 2.3
 0.3
 0.3
 0.6
 6.4
 7.1
Byron Scott
 7
 15.0
 18-38
 .474
 1-5
 .200
 5-7
 .714
 0.9
 0.0
 1.0
 0.7
 1.1
 6.0
Jamaal Wilkes
 7
 14.1
 13-29
 .448
 0-0
 -
 6-8
 .750
 0.6
 0.0
 0.3
 0.4
 1.9
 4.6
Swen Nater
 7
 8.6
 8-19
 .421
 0-0
 -
 12-14
 .857
 0.3
 0.1
 0.0
 0.0
 3.1
 4.0
Bob McAdoo
 6
 24.3
 28-61
 .459
 0-0
 -
 19-29
 .655
 2.5
 1.3
 0.3
 0.7
 5.5
 12.5
Mike McGee
 3
 14.0
 9-24
 .375
 0-1
 .000
 5-7
 .714
 1.0
 0.3
 0.7
 0.0
 2.7
 7.7
Mitch Kupchak
 3
 4.0
 2-4
 .500
 0-0
 -
 3-4
 .750
 0.0
 0.3
 0.0
 0.7
 2.7
 2.3
Larry Spriggs
 2
 3.5
 2-3
 .667
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.0
 0.0
 0.5
 1.0
 2.0



327-635
 		.515
 		6-18
 		.333
 		162-229
 		.707
 		16.6
 		5.9
 		8.0
 		28.3
 		43.0
 		117.4



1969 NBA Finals 






4
3
MVP: Jerry West
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
John Havlicek
 7
 48.0
 74-162
 .457
 50-59
 .847
 4.4
 11.0
 28.3
Bill Russell
 7
 48.0
 25-63
 .397
 14-24
 .583
 5.1
 21.1
 9.1
Em Bryant
 7
 33.3
 31-77
 .403
 15-17
 .882
 2.7
 5.0
 11.0
Sam Jones
 7
 30.1
 56-119
 .471
 19-23
 .826
 2.3
 3.6
 18.7
Bailey Howell
 7
 27.6
 31-93
 .333
 12-20
 .600
 0.6
 5.3
 10.6
Larry Siegfried
 7
 25.9
 36-92
 .391
 26-29
 .897
 2.9
 2.6
 14.0
Don Nelson
 7
 20.1
 32-76
 .421
 19-24
 .792
 1.1
 5.9
 11.9
Tom Sanders
 5
 7.8
 6-13
 .462
 2-2
 1.000
 0.2
 1.2
 2.8
Don Chaney
 2
 5.0
 0-1
 .000
 2-3
 .667
 0.0
 0.5
 1.0



291-696
 		.418
 		159-201
 		.791
 		19.3
 		55.4
 		105.9










Los Angeles Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Wilt Chamberlain
 7
 47.3
 29-58
 .500
 24-64
 .375
 3.0
 25.0
 11.7
Jerry West
 7
 43.9
 96-196
 .490
 73-87
 .839
 7.4
 4.7
 37.9
Elgin Baylor
 7
 36.6
 48-121
 .397
 30-48
 .625
 3.9
 10.3
 18.0
Johnny Egan
 7
 34.6
 39-90
 .433
 28-36
 .778
 4.0
 2.4
 15.1
Keith Erickson
 7
 27.3
 28-69
 .406
 6-12
 .500
 1.7
 6.0
 8.9
Mel Counts
 7
 20.9
 26-55
 .473
 17-24
 .708
 0.9
 5.7
 9.9
Tom Hawkins
 7
 16.1
 8-24
 .333
 2-10
 .200
 0.4
 3.3
 2.6
Bill Hewitt
 4
 23.3
 7-23
 .304
 2-3
 .667
 0.5
 5.5
 4.0
Freddie Crawford
 1
 1.0
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 1.0
 0.0



281-636
 		.442
 		182-284
 		.641
 		21.6
 		60.7
 		106.3



1968 NBA Finals 






4
2
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Bill Russell
 6
 48.7
 34-79
 .430
 36-60
 .600
 5.7
 21.8
 17.3
John Havlicek
 6
 48.5
 59-140
 .421
 46-52
 .885
 6.7
 8.7
 27.3
Sam Jones
 6
 35.0
 44-101
 .436
 17-20
 .850
 2.8
 3.2
 17.5
Bailey Howell
 6
 34.2
 51-90
 .567
 24-33
 .727
 1.2
 7.5
 21.0
Larry Siegfried
 6
 34.2
 33-80
 .413
 27-32
 .844
 4.0
 3.0
 15.5
Don Nelson
 6
 27.5
 33-56
 .589
 18-28
 .643
 1.7
 8.0
 14.0
Wayne Embry
 5
 9.8
 5-14
 .357
 4-8
 .500
 0.0
 2.2
 2.8
Tom Thacker
 5
 7.6
 1-5
 .200
 0-1
 .000
 0.2
 1.2
 0.4
Tom Sanders
 3
 2.3
 0-2
 .000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.7
 0.0
Johnny Jones
 1
 1.0
 1-1
 1.000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 1.0
 2.0
Rick Weitzman
 1
 1.0
 1-1
 1.000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.0
 2.0
Mal Graham
 1
 1.0
 0-1
 .000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 1.0
 0.0



262-570
 		.460
 		172-234
 		.735
 		22.2
 		55.7
 		116.0










Los Angeles Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Jerry West
 6
 42.3
 68-140
 .486
 52-64
 .813
 5.7
 5.8
 31.3
Elgin Baylor
 6
 41.7
 66-142
 .465
 25-39
 .641
 4.3
 12.5
 26.2
Archie Clark
 6
 35.8
 36-101
 .356
 25-34
 .735
 3.7
 2.7
 16.2
Tom Hawkins
 6
 35.0
 28-58
 .483
 8-13
 .615
 1.0
 6.7
 10.7
Darrall Imhoff
 6
 26.0
 19-40
 .475
 13-21
 .619
 1.8
 10.2
 8.5
Mel Counts
 6
 22.8
 27-51
 .529
 7-10
 .700
 2.2
 11.5
 10.2
Erwin Mueller
 6
 16.8
 7-17
 .412
 1-5
 .200
 2.0
 4.0
 2.5
Freddie Crawford
 6
 15.0
 12-28
 .429
 4-7
 .571
 0.7
 2.5
 4.7
Gail Goodrich
 5
 10.4
 9-18
 .500
 8-11
 .727
 1.6
 1.2
 5.2



272-595
 		.457
 		143-204
 		.701
 		22.7
 		56.8
 		114.5



1966 NBA Finals 






4
3
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Bill Russell
 7
 47.9
 64-119
 .538
 37-50
 .740
 3.7
 24.3
 23.6
John Havlicek
 7
 43.1
 64-150
 .427
 33-37
 .892
 4.0
 10.0
 23.0
Sam Jones
 7
 35.6
 56-138
 .406
 48-54
 .889
 3.3
 6.4
 22.9
K.C. Jones
 7
 30.9
 20-53
 .377
 13-18
 .722
 4.4
 3.1
 7.6
Tom Sanders
 7
 29.4
 41-84
 .488
 21-25
 .840
 1.9
 6.4
 14.7
Larry Siegfried
 7
 25.3
 34-77
 .442
 24-29
 .828
 2.9
 1.9
 13.1
Don Nelson
 7
 20.7
 18-50
 .360
 17-19
 .895
 0.9
 5.1
 7.6
Mel Counts
 5
 9.2
 10-26
 .385
 9-9
 1.000
 0.0
 3.6
 5.8
Willie Naulls
 3
 5.3
 2-9
 .222
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 2.0
 1.3
Ron Bonham
 3
 2.7
 1-2
 .500
 3-7
 .429
 0.0
 1.0
 1.7
John Thompson
 1
 5.0
 1-3
 .333
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 2.0
 2.0



311-711
 		.437
 		205-248
 		.827
 		21.0
 		61.4
 		118.1










Los Angeles Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Jerry West
 7
 45.3
 88-171
 .515
 61-70
 .871
 5.1
 6.4
 33.9
Elgin Baylor
 7
 42.9
 65-164
 .396
 45-58
 .776
 2.3
 16.4
 25.0
Gail Goodrich
 7
 34.3
 34-74
 .459
 27-39
 .692
 4.1
 3.6
 13.6
Leroy Ellis
 7
 29.6
 36-87
 .414
 15-22
 .682
 0.7
 9.1
 12.4
Jim King
 7
 24.9
 21-47
 .447
 9-12
 .750
 2.3
 2.9
 7.3
Rudy LaRusso
 7
 24.4
 25-55
 .455
 27-38
 .711
 1.1
 5.3
 11.0
Darrall Imhoff
 7
 18.4
 4-16
 .250
 6-8
 .750
 2.4
 5.9
 2.0
Walt Hazzard
 7
 17.7
 24-51
 .471
 8-16
 .500
 2.6
 1.4
 8.0
Bob Boozer
 3
 11.0
 3-14
 .214
 0-2
 .000
 0.7
 3.3
 2.0
Tom Hoover
 1
 6.0
 2-3
 .667
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 2.0
 4.0
Gene Wiley
 1
 4.0
 0-1
 .000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 1.0
 0.0



302-683
 		.442
 		198-265
 		.747
 		21.0
 		52.9
 		114.6



1965 NBA Finals 






4
1
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Bill Russell
 5
 44.2
 33-47
 .702
 23-40
 .575
 5.8
 25.0
 17.8
Sam Jones
 5
 39.8
 55-117
 .470
 29-33
 .879
 2.6
 4.8
 27.8
Tom Sanders
 5
 31.2
 27-69
 .391
 15-22
 .682
 2.0
 8.8
 13.8
K.C. Jones
 5
 31.0
 23-50
 .460
 11-14
 .786
 6.6
 2.6
 11.4
John Havlicek
 5
 30.2
 36-92
 .391
 19-22
 .864
 2.2
 5.6
 18.2
Tom Heinsohn
 5
 20.8
 26-72
 .361
 5-9
 .556
 1.8
 6.4
 11.4
Willie Naulls
 5
 17.4
 21-53
 .396
 6-8
 .750
 1.0
 4.2
 9.6
Larry Siegfried
 5
 13.6
 14-41
 .341
 11-14
 .786
 2.4
 1.6
 7.8
Mel Counts
 3
 9.0
 3-12
 .250
 1-1
 1.000
 0.0
 3.0
 2.3
John Thompson
 3
 7.0
 2-7
 .286
 7-7
 1.000
 0.3
 4.0
 3.7
Ron Bonham
 3
 3.7
 3-8
 .375
 4-5
 .800
 0.0
 0.0
 3.3



243-568
 		.428
 		131-175
 		.749
 		24.6
 		63.2
 		123.4










Los Angeles Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Jerry West
 5
 42.0
 59-139
 .424
 51-59
 .864
 3.4
 5.6
 33.8
Leroy Ellis
 5
 39.8
 32-76
 .421
 25-37
 .676
 0.8
 11.0
 17.8
Gene Wiley
 5
 35.4
 16-31
 .516
 6-11
 .545
 2.0
 17.8
 7.6
Rudy LaRusso
 5
 32.0
 26-49
 .531
 21-32
 .656
 2.4
 6.8
 14.6
Dick Barnett
 5
 24.4
 28-58
 .483
 14-20
 .700
 2.2
 3.0
 14.0
Don Nelson
 5
 20.6
 14-32
 .438
 8-12
 .667
 1.4
 5.4
 7.2
Walt Hazzard
 5
 20.0
 15-46
 .326
 14-18
 .778
 5.2
 3.0
 8.8
Jim King
 5
 11.0
 9-21
 .429
 3-3
 1.000
 1.4
 2.0
 4.2
Darrall Imhoff
 5
 10.8
 2-9
 .222
 3-6
 .500
 0.6
 2.4
 1.4
Bill McGill
 2
 10.0
 3-6
 .500
 1-1
 1.000
 1.0
 3.0
 3.5



204-467
 		.437
 		146-199
 		.734
 		19.8
 		58.2
 		110.8



1963 NBA Finals 






4
2
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Bill Russell
 6
 47.8
 42-90
 .467
 36-52
 .692
 5.3
 26.0
 20.0
Sam Jones
 6
 38.7
 57-126
 .452
 34-39
 .872
 3.2
 7.3
 24.7
Tom Sanders
 6
 35.8
 34-70
 .486
 13-19
 .684
 1.3
 9.7
 13.5
Tom Heinsohn
 6
 34.2
 54-131
 .412
 32-43
 .744
 1.3
 9.2
 23.3
Bob Cousy
 6
 31.5
 31-93
 .333
 11-14
 .786
 8.5
 2.7
 12.2
K.C. Jones
 6
 18.7
 7-28
 .250
 10-15
 .667
 2.5
 1.5
 4.0
Frank Ramsey
 6
 16.3
 15-48
 .313
 10-16
 .625
 0.0
 2.2
 6.7
John Havlicek
 4
 18.5
 13-39
 .333
 8-11
 .727
 1.8
 4.0
 8.5
Clyde Lovellette
 3
 6.0
 2-11
 .182
 2-2
 1.000
 0.3
 0.7
 2.0
Jim Loscutoff
 3
 3.3
 1-4
 .250
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.0
 0.7



256-640
 		.400
 		156-211
 		.739
 		23.5
 		61.5
 		111.3










Los Angeles Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Elgin Baylor
 6
 45.7
 76-163
 .466
 51-61
 .836
 4.3
 15.0
 33.8
Jerry West
 6
 44.0
 76-155
 .490
 25-33
 .758
 4.5
 6.8
 29.5
Rudy LaRusso
 6
 36.7
 28-74
 .378
 32-39
 .821
 2.2
 9.5
 14.7
Gene Wiley
 6
 31.3
 10-27
 .370
 1-7
 .143
 1.3
 10.0
 3.5
Dick Barnett
 6
 28.5
 33-78
 .423
 41-48
 .854
 2.2
 3.3
 17.8
Frank Selvy
 6
 21.3
 14-34
 .412
 17-20
 .850
 2.2
 3.3
 7.5
Jim Krebs
 6
 16.2
 9-27
 .333
 2-5
 .400
 0.3
 3.3
 3.3
Leroy Ellis
 6
 13.2
 7-14
 .500
 4-7
 .571
 0.3
 3.5
 3.0
Ron Horn
 2
 7.5
 0-3
 .000
 0-0
 -
 1.0
 2.0
 0.0
Hot Rod Hundley
 1
 4.0
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.0
 0.0



253-575
 		.440
 		173-220
 		.786
 		17.7
 		55.5
 		113.2



1962 NBA Finals 






4
3
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Bill Russell
 7
 48.3
 57-105
 .543
 46-62
 .742
 5.7
 27.0
 22.9
Bob Cousy
 7
 36.6
 47-122
 .385
 22-36
 .611
 9.3
 3.7
 16.6
Sam Jones
 7
 35.3
 68-134
 .507
 19-26
 .731
 3.0
 6.0
 22.1
Tom Sanders
 7
 32.1
 37-73
 .507
 15-16
 .938
 1.6
 6.6
 12.7
Tom Heinsohn
 7
 31.0
 54-140
 .386
 27-35
 .771
 2.4
 6.1
 19.3
K.C. Jones
 7
 23.3
 25-56
 .446
 12-15
 .800
 3.7
 4.0
 8.9
Frank Ramsey
 7
 17.9
 17-53
 .321
 25-29
 .862
 1.0
 2.7
 8.4
Jim Loscutoff
 7
 15.1
 19-45
 .422
 4-5
 .800
 0.4
 5.3
 6.0
Gary Phillips
 2
 6.5
 0-6
 .000
 5-6
 .833
 0.0
 0.0
 2.5
Carl Braun
 2
 4.5
 0-5
 .000
 1-2
 .500
 0.0
 0.0
 0.5
Gene Guarilia
 2
 3.0
 0-1
 .000
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 0.5
 0.0



324-740
 		.438
 		176-232
 		.759
 		27.1
 		61.6
 		117.7










Los Angeles Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Elgin Baylor
 7
 45.9
 101-235
 .430
 82-99
 .828
 3.7
 17.9
 40.6
Jerry West
 7
 44.1
 73-160
 .456
 72-85
 .847
 2.7
 5.0
 31.1
Frank Selvy
 7
 37.1
 33-82
 .402
 19-23
 .826
 4.0
 4.7
 12.1
Rudy LaRusso
 7
 36.7
 26-81
 .321
 35-49
 .714
 1.6
 10.0
 12.4
Jim Krebs
 7
 34.3
 25-61
 .410
 11-11
 1.000
 2.1
 10.1
 8.7
Ray Felix
 7
 13.6
 7-23
 .304
 14-21
 .667
 0.7
 4.0
 4.0
Tom Hawkins
 7
 10.6
 7-19
 .368
 3-5
 .600
 1.4
 3.6
 2.4
Hot Rod Hundley
 6
 14.2
 3-6
 .500
 1-2
 .500
 2.0
 0.7
 1.2
Howie Jolliff
 4
 9.3
 0-4
 .000
 2-2
 1.000
 1.3
 1.8
 0.5
Bob McNeill
 3
 7.3
 2-4
 .500
 0-0
 -
 1.3
 1.3
 1.3
Wayne Yates
 2
 2.5
 1-5
 .200
 0-0
 -
 0.0
 2.0
 1.0



278-680
 		.409
 		239-297
 		.805
 		19.3
 		58.0
 		113.6



1959 NBA Finals 






4
0
Boston Celtics
- G MP FG FG% FT FT%
REB PTS
Bob Cousy
 4
 46.5
 24-78
 .308
 19-31
 .613
8.0
 16.8
Bill Russell
 4
 46.5
 12-38
 .316
 13-29
 .448
29.5
 9.3
Tom Heinsohn
 4
 31.3
 38-80
 .475
 21-26
 .808
8.8
 24.3
Frank Ramsey
 4
 30.8
 32-68
 .471
 26-30
 .867
5.8
 22.5
Bill Sharman
 4
 28.8
 37-78
 .474
 16-17
 .941
1.8
 22.5
Jim Loscutoff
 4
 21.8
 17-47
 .362
 4-9
 .444
5.5
 9.5
Sam Jones
 4
 16.3
 16-39
 .410
 7-8
 .875
4.8
 9.8
Gene Conley
 4
 15.0
 12-32
 .375
 5-9
 .556
9.0
 7.3
Bennie Swain
 2
 4.0
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
1.0
 0.0
K.C. Jones
 2
 2.5
 0-3
 .000
 0-0
 -
0.5
 0.0



188-463
 		.406
 		111-159
 		.698
73.8
 		121.8










Minneapolis Lakers

G MP FG FG% FT FT%
REB PTS
Elgin Baylor
 4
 42.3
 34-102
 .333
 23-35
 .657
11.8
 22.8
Slick Leonard
 4
 41.8
 23-60
 .383
 11-15
 .733
3.5
 14.3
Dick Garmaker
 4
 35.3
 33-75
 .440
 11-13
 .846
4.3
 19.3
Vern Mikkelsen
 4
 31.5
 31-72
 .431
 22-31
 .710
12.3
 21.0
Larry Foust
 4
 29.8
 21-52
 .404
 8-9
 .889
15.0
 12.5
Jim Krebs
 4
 19.5
 20-51
 .392
 3-3
 1.000
8.3
 10.8
Boo Ellis
 4
 12.3
 7-16
 .438
 0-3
 .000
3.5
 3.5
Ed Fleming
 4
 11.0
 5-18
 .278
 6-6
 1.000
2.8
 4.0
Hot Rod Hundley
 4
 8.8
 0-0
 -
 0-0
 -
1.3
 0.0
Steve Hamilton
 3
 10.7
 6-18
 .333
 2-2
 1.000
6.0
 4.7



180-464
 		.388
 		86-117
 		.735
67.0
 		111.5
 
 
 
Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell 


Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell ushered in a new era in the NBA.  Before they arrived, basketball was dominantly a white, jump-shooting sport.  Enter Russell, and especially Chamberlain, and a new level of athleticism.  These two big men helped expand the popularity of the NBA nationwide.  Wilt was so far ahead of his time, only Babe Ruth rivals his individual dominance of a sport.  But it was Russell's Celtics who dominated the league, winning 11 titles in 13 years.  This was a classic match-up of a singular, dominant force consistantly losing out to a team-oriented, defensive leader who, it should be said, was almost always surrounded by teammates with superior talent.  Most of these battles were between Russell's Celtics and Chamberlain's Warriors and 76ers, but the finals chapter was written in the 1969 season when Wilt was traded to the Lakers and the two teams met in an epic NBA Finals.  Irresistible offensive force versus immovable defensive object, always guarding each other, Wilt-Russell is the greatest head-to-head rivalry in all of team sports.

NBA box scores from this era generally only tracked field goals, free throws, and points.
Additional head-to-head stats were taken from this ESPN article.


Playoff Match Ups
1964 NBA Finals - Boston Celtics 4, San Francisco Warriors 1
FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Chamberlain
 62-120
 .517
 22-53
 .415
 2.4
 27.6
 29.2
Russell
 22-57
 .386
 12-25
 .480
 5.0
 25.2
 11.2








1969 NBA Finals - Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3
FG FG% FT FT% AST REB PTS
Chamberlain
 29-58
 .500
 24-64
 .375
 3.0
 25.0
 11.7
Russell
 25-63
 .397
 14-24
 .583
 5.1
 21.1
 9.1








Chamberlain Eastern Conference Finals Russell
FG FT FT% PTS FG FT FT% PTS
74
 35
30.5
 1960 - Celtics 4, Warriors 2
 54
 16
20.7
88
 59
33.6
 1962 - Celtics 4, Warriors 3
 59
 36
22.0
81
 49-84
 .583
 30.1
 1965 - Celtics 4, 76ers 3
 46
 17-36
 .472
 15.6
56
 28-68
 .412
 28.0
 1966 - Celtics 4, 76ers 1
 25
 20-36
 .560
 14.0
40
 28-54
 .519
 21.6
 1967 - 76ers 4, Celtics 1
 19
 19-28
 .680
 11.4
58
 39-92
 .424
 22.1
 1968 - Celtics 4, 76ers 3
 37
 22-37
 .590
 13.7









Totals

Playoffs
Regular Season
Series Won Games Won REB PTS
Wins REB PTS
Chamberlain
 1
 20
 28.0
 25.7
37
 28.2
 30.0
Russell
 7
 29
 24.7
 14.9
57
 22.9
 14.2


Giants of the Game: Russell and Chamberlain

Part 2
 Classic Confrontations: Rivalry for the Ages

  
 
 
Season Comparisons
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
AGE PTS REB AST REC MVP AGE PTS REB AST REC MVP






1956-57
 22
 14.7
 19.6
 		1.8
 44-28
 7th






1957-58
 23
 16.6
 22.7
 		2.9
 49-23
 1st






1958-59
 24
 16.7
 23.0
 		3.2
 52-20
 		2nd
23
 37.6
 		27.0
 		2.3
 49-26
 1st/ROY
 1959-60
 25
 18.2
 24.0
 3.7
 59-16
 		2nd
24
 38.4
 		27.2
 		1.9
 46-33
 4th
 1960-61
 26
 16.9
 23.9
 3.4
 57-22
 		1st
25
 50.4
 		25.7
 		2.4
 49-31
 2nd
 1961-62
 27
 18.9
 23.6
 4.5
 60-20
 		1st
26
 44.8
 		24.3
 		3.4
 31-49
 7th
 1962-63
 28
 16.8
 23.6
 4.5
 58-22
 		1st
27
 36.9
 		22.3
 5.0
 48-32
 2nd
 1963-64
 29
 15.0
 24.7
 		4.7
 59-21
 		3rd
28
 34.7
 		22.9
 3.4
 40-40
 5th
 1964-65
 30
 14.1
 24.1
 		5.3
 62-18
 		1st
29
 33.5
 		24.6
 		5.2
 55-25
 1st
 1965-66
 31
 12.9
 22.8
 4.8
 54-26
 		4th
30
 24.1
 24.2
 		7.8
 68-13
 1st
 1966-67
 32
 13.3
 21.0
 5.8
 60-21
 3rd
31
 24.3
 23.8
 		8.6
 62-20
 1st
 1967-68
 33
 12.5
 18.6
 4.6
 54-28
 		-
32
 20.5
 21.1
 		4.5
 55-27
 -
 1968-69
 34
 9.9
 19.3
 4.9
 48-34
 		4th
33
 27.3
 18.4
 4.1
 46-36
 12 gms
 1969-70





34
 20.7
 18.2
 		4.3
 48-34
 -
 1970-71





35
 14.8
 19.2
 		4.0
 69-13
 3rd
 1971-72





36
 13.2
 18.6
 		4.5
 60-22
 4th
 1972-73






30.1
 		22.9
 		4.4
 		2-4 Finals
 		4 MVPs
 		Totals
15.1
 		22.5
 		4.3
 		11-1 Finals
 		5 MVPs
 
 
 
Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird 



Many say that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird saved the NBA.  Their selfless commitment to winning and flashy style of play made the NBA a global brand.  It all began with the 1979 NCAA Championship game between Magic's Michigan State Spartans and Bird's Indiana State Sycamores, which is still the highest-rated NCAA Basketball Championship game of all time.  In the NBA, they dominated the 1980s with one of them playing in every Finals of the decade, combining for eight Championships and six MVPs, and facing off in three epic Finals match-ups.  Black-white.  West-East.  Showtime-blue collar.  Magic-Bird remains the most iconic individual rivalry in the history of team sports.
 
1979 NCAA Championship
Magic's Michigan State 75, Bird's Indiana State 64 - Magic MOP
Magic
Bird
24
 Points
 19
7
 Rebounds
 13
5
 Assists
 2
1
 Steals
 5
0
 Blocks
 1
8-15
 Field Goals
 7-21
8-10
 Free Throws
 5-8
















1985 NBA Finals
Lakers 4, Celtics 2
Magic
Bird
18.3
 Points
 23.8
6.8
 Rebounds
 8.8
14.0
 Assists
 5.0
2.2
 Steals
 1.8
0.0
 Blocks
 0.7
41-83
 Field Goals
 53-118
.494
 Field Goal %
 .449
1-2
 3-Pointers
 3-9
.500
 3-Point %
 .333
27-31
 Free Throws
 34-40
.871
 Free Throw %
 .850



1984 NBA Finals
Celtics 4, Lakers 3 - Bird Finals MVP
Magic
Bird
18.0
 Points
 27.4
7.7
 Rebounds
 14.0
13.6
 Assists
 3.6
2.0
 Steals
 2.1
0.9
 Blocks
 1.1
47-84
 Field Goals
 62-128
.560
 Field Goal %
 .484
0-1
 3-Pointers
 4-6
.000
 3-Point %
 .667
32-43
 Free Throws
 64-76
.744
 Free Throw %
 .842




1987 NBA Finals
Lakers 4, Celtics 2 - Magic Finals MVP
Magic
Bird
26.2
 Points
 24.2
8.0
 Rebounds
 10.0
13.0
 Assists
 5.5
2.3
 Steals
 1.2
0.3
 Blocks
 1.2
66-122
 Field Goals
 53-119
.541
 Field Goal %
 .445
1-2
 3-Pointers
 4-8
.500
 3-Point %
 .500
24-25
 Free Throws
 35-38
.960
 Free Throw %
 .921



Totals
NBA Finals Totals - Magic won 11-8
FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% BLK STL AST REB PTS
Magic 154-289 .533 2-5 .400 83-99 .838 0.4 2.2 13.5 7.5 20.7
Bird 168-365 .460 11-23 .478 133-154 .864 1.0 1.7 4.6 11.1 25.3











Regular Season Meetings - Magic won 10-7
FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% BLK STL AST REB PTS
Magic 121-244 .496 6-19 .316 101-118 .856 0.4 3.0 12.2 7.1 20.5
Bird 158-316 .500 9-19 .474 66-81 .815 0.6 2.0 6.5 11.6 23.0













HBO's "Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals"






 February 17, 1985 - Lakers 117, Celtics 111

One of the greatest duels between the two - and best I've found on YouTube.  It was their first game after the epic 1984 Finals and both players brought their best.
Magic: 37 Pts (10-16 FG, 17-19 FT), 13 Asts, 3 Rebs
Bird: 33 Pts (14-22 FG, 4-5 FT), 15 Rebs, 3 Asts
 
 
Season Comparisons
Magic Johnson
Larry Bird
AGE PTS REB AST REC MVP AGE PTS REB AST REC MVP
20
 18.0
 7.7
 7.3
 60-22
 -
 1979-80
 23
 21.3
 10.4
 4.5
 61-21
 4th/ROY
21
 21.6
 8.6
 8.6
 54-28
 37 gms
 1980-81
 24
 21.2
 10.9
 5.5
 62-20
 2nd
22
 18.6
 9.6
 9.5
 57-25
 8th
 1981-82
 25
 22.9
 10.9
 5.8
 63-19
 2nd
23
 16.8
 8.6
 10.5
 		58-24
 3rd
 1982-83
 26
 23.6
 11.0
 5.8
 56-26
 2nd
24
 17.6
 7.3
 13.1
 		54-28
 3rd
 1983-84
 27
 24.2
 10.1
 6.6
 62-20
 1st
25
 18.3
 6.2
 12.6
 62-20
 2nd
 1984-85
 28
 28.7
 10.5
 6.6
 63-19
 1st
26
 18.8
 5.9
 12.6
 		62-20
 3rd
 1985-86
 29
 25.8
 9.8
 6.8
 67-15
 1st
27
 23.9
 6.3
 12.2
 		65-17
 1st
 1986-87
 30
 28.1
 9.2
 7.6
 59-23
 3rd
28
 19.6
 6.2
 11.9
 62-20
 3rd
 1987-88
 31
 29.9
 9.3
 6.1
 57-25
 2nd
29
 22.5
 7.9
 12.8
 57-25
 1st
 1988-89
 32
 19.3
 6.2
 4.8
 42-40
 6 gms
30
 22.3
 6.6
 11.5
 63-19
 1st
 1989-90
 33
 24.3
 9.5
 7.5
 52-30
 10th
31
 19.4
 7.0
 12.5
 58-24
 2nd
 1990-91
 34
 19.4
 8.5
 7.2
 56-26
 60 gms






1991-92
 35
 20.2
 9.6
 6.8
 51-31
 45 gms
36
 14.6
 5.7
 6.9
 53-29
 32 gms
 1995-96






19.5
 		7.2
 		11.2
 		5-4 Finals
 		3 MVPs
 		Totals
24.3
 		10.0
 		6.3
 		3-2 Finals
 		3 MVPs
 
 
 
All-Time Teams
The All-Time Teams were picked by me and are unofficial. The stats for each player are only for games played with the franchise. An asterisk (*) means the player spent their entire career with the franchise. "All-S" stands for All-Star selections. For seasons where no All-Star Game was held (1947-50 and 1999) All-NBA selection was used instead.
All-Time Lakers All-Time Celtics
Starters G PTS REB AST All-S Starters G PTS REB AST All-S
G Magic Johnson
1980-91, 96* 		906 19.5 7.2 11.2 12 G Bob Cousy
1951-63 		917 18.5 5.2 7.6 13
G Jerry West
1961-74* 		932 27.0 5.8 6.7 14 G John Havlicek
1963-78* 		1270 20.8 6.3 4.8 13
F Kobe Bryant
1997-2016* 		1346 25.0 5.2 4.7 19 F Paul Pierce
1999-2013 		1102 21.8 6.0 3.9 10
F Elgin Baylor
1959-72* 		846 27.4 13.5 4.3 11 F Larry Bird
1980-92* 		897 24.3 10.0 6.3 12
C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1976-89 		1093 22.1 9.4 3.3 13 C Bill Russell
1957-69* 		963 15.1 22.5 4.3 12
Bench G PTS REB AST All-S Bench G PTS REB AST All-S
G Gail Goodrich
1966-68, 71-76 		849 19.0 2.5 3.4 4 G Sam Jones
1958-69* 		871 17.7 4.9 2.5 5
F James Worthy
1983-94* 		926 17.6 5.1 3.0 7 G Bill Sharman
1952-61		 680 18.1 3.9 3.0 8
F Pau Gasol
2008-14 		429 17.7 9.9 3.5 3 F Kevin McHale
1981-93* 		971 17.9 7.3 1.7 7
F Vern Mikkelsen
1950-59* 		699 14.4 9.4 2.2 6 F Kevin Garnett
2008-13 		396 15.7 8.3 2.7 5
C Shaquille O'Neal
1997-2004 		514 27.0 11.8 3.1 8 F Tom Heinsohn
1957-65* 		654 18.6 8.8 2.0 6
C Wilt Chamberlain
1969-73 		399 17.7 19.2 4.3 4 C Dave Cowens
1971-80 		726 18.2 14.0 3.9 7
C George Mikan
1949-56* 		439 23.1 13.4 2.8 6 C Robert Parish
1981-94 		1106 16.5 10.0 1.5 9
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