Philadelphia Blows Game to Royals

Mar. 20, 1965 - Wilt Chamberlain has averaged 38 points and 21 rebounds in four games as a 76er against Cincinnati. But strangely, when a basket was needed tonight, he wasn’t around.

Coach Dolph Schayes yanked Wilt with 24 seconds left, and the 76ers fumbled away a 125-122 game to the Royals before 4,087 at Convention Hall.

When Wilt departed for Johnny Kerr, the Royals held a shaky 123-122 lead. Hal Greer, who returned to the 76ers’ backcourt and contributed 31 points, missed a key driving layup, giving the Royals possession.

Adrian Smith also blew a driving shot. But the Royals’ Happy Hairston was fouled by Al Bianchi on a follow-up and converted two free throws for the three-point margin with nine seconds left. 

Even the absence of Oscar Robertson, who missed the final 15 minutes with a slight ankle sprain, didn’t help the 76ers.

Jerry Lucas continually took the pressure off the Royals with a 26-point first half, including one dazzling streak of 10-for-10 shooting, most of them 15-footers. 

Chamberlain, who is still bothered by a recurrence of his pancreatitis, astounded everyone present by sinking nine straight free throws before missing his 10th effort.

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