Lakers Top Knicks Despite Reed’s 46 Points

Mar. 5, 1965 - Willis Reed (pictured #19), the New York Knicks’ outstanding rookie center, scored 46 points tonight in a desperate effort to halt the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite a single-game club record for a rookie, the 6-10 Reed did not get quite enough help, and the Knicks succumbed by a 105-103 count before a crowd of 6,511 at Madison Square Garden. The game was settled 24 seconds from the end on Rudy LaRusso’s layup.

The Knicks, who trailed by 8 points as the fourth quarter began, stormed back into a 99-99 tie on Tom Gola’s jump shot with 1:59 left. They got 31 points in that final period, 19 by Reed.

The defeat eliminated the Knicks from the Eastern Division playoffs for the sixth successive season and the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. Their last appearance in the playoffs was in the 1958-59 season under coach Fuzzy Levane.

Reed also played a fine game defensively. He pulled down 22 of the Knicks’ 64 rebounds.

“He’s only a rookie,” said Laker coach Fred Schaus, “but I’d say Reed is a great player right now. I think he has the equipment to become a superstar. That line of his is fine a line as I could expect from anybody.”

“I’ve seen the improvement in Willis right along,” said Knick coach Harry Gallatin. “He’s always been effective, but now he’s maneuvering into good shooting positions.”

Reed had a different explanation:

“Believe it or not, I think the main reason for my improvement is that I’m keeping my temper. When I started out, I used to get mad. All those superstars like Russell and Chamberlain, they get away with all kinds of things. The refs always seem to go easy on them. I had trouble learning that that’s the way it is in this league.

“I used to get all kinds of technicals. Then I’d get upset and couldn’t shoot or anything. Now, I just don’t say anything. I’m getting established in this league. I’m finding by keeping my temper, I’m getting better position. I’ve really found myself these past few weeks.”

Elgin Baylor was under the boards for the Lakers and had 17 of his club’s 58. Jerry West led the Lakers with 33 points. 

The victory completed a Laker sweep over New York, 10 triumphs in 10 games. The Lakers need just four more victories to clinch the Western crown.

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