Mar. 11, 1965 - The world champion Boston Celtics, playing as hard as they had to, eliminated the Detroit Pistons from a Western Division playoff berth, 112-100, at the Rhode Island Auditorium in Providence tonight before a crowd of 3,145.
In victory, Red Auerbach’s club won its 60th game, equaling its 1961-62 mark, when it finished 60-20. It has four games remaining to set an NBA team record for victories.
While extended only at times, the individual play of Bill Russell proved the deciding factor as Auerbach used all but Ron Bonham.
Russell, in action all the way as per custom, took down an astounding 49 rebounds in Boston’s total of 100 and scored 27 points. Wilt Chamberlain owns the current record for rebounds in a game, having gathered 55 against the Celtics on Nov. 24, 1960. Russell’s 49 tonight were three under his lifetime high of 52.
The victory was Boston’s 14th in succession over their favorite cousins, and its 63rd against eight setbacks with Detroit since the club moved from Fort Wayne at the start of the 1957-58 season.
In addition, it marked the Celtics’ 37th victory against only five losses on Lou Pieri’s auditorium floor since Red Auerbach took over in 1950-51.
Russell had six assists in his overall fine performance, while Heinsohn culled 19 points in 25 minutes and Satch Sanders 15 in 30, while taking eight off the boards.
There is consolation for the Pistons, however. They do not face the Celtics again until next fall.
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