Knicks Top Celtics at the Garden

Mar. 17, 1965 - The New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden tonight, 119-114. It was the 30th victory of the season for coach Harry Gallatin’s club, the most in the last six seasons. However, it was only the Knicks’ third victory in 10 games against Red Auerbach’s NBA champions.

“That magic number 30 sure feels good,” said Gallatin afterward.

A crowd of 9,513 saw the freewheeling Knicks hold the lead most of the game. Bill Russell, Boston’s great center, twisted his left ankle with 4:35 left to play and had to leave.

The mishap occurred after Russell had grabbed a rebound and reached center court. As he tried to cut away from Johnny Egan, he stepped on Egan’s foot. When Egan moved, Russell tried to catch his balance, and he turned his ankle. He had to limp off the court. But the injury was not deemed serious.

“I think it might be the tendons back here,” Russell said afterward, pointing to the back of his heel. “I’ve had it before. It doesn’t even hurt now. I won’t have it checked — don’t need to.”

Boston got its usual fine shooting from its leading scorer, Sam Jones. The lanky guard hit for 28 points, while Russell chipped in with 22 before he departed with the Knicks leading by 6. John Havlicek popped in 20 for the Celts.

However, the work of these three was more than offset by the Knicks’ three top scorers — Willis Reed, 28; Bob Boozer, 23; and David Budd, starting for the first time since Gallatin became coach, with 22.

Budd gained a starting role because Jim Barnes was out with a pulled groin muscle.

Auerbach, usually a fireball when his Celtics are having problems, sat through the whole ordeal without even lighting a cigar or screaming at the officials — very much. But he was disgusted enough with referees Willie Smith and Norm Drucker to sound off after the game.

“Look, the game means nothing out there, I admit,” Auerbach said. “But what tees me off is when the refs go around smiling at you when you dispute a call. Here the players are busting their tails, and the people pay good money to see a game, and the refs think everything’s a joke. They were carrying on like crazy. I don’t care who knows how I think.”

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