Royals Sneak Past 76ers as Oscar Drops 40

Mar. 26, 1965 - Oscar Robertson can put pressure on his left foot again. Now the pressure is on the 76ers in the NBA’s Eastern Division semifinal playoff.

The Cincinnati Royal star scored 40 points and had 14 assists to guide his team to a 121-120 victory over the 76ers at the Philadelphia Arena before 5,801 fans. The two teams are now even (1-1) in the best-of-five series.

“I could get down on my left foot again to get set for my jumper,” Oscar reported. “I couldn’t the other night.”

Said Cincinnati coach Jack McMahon: “Oscar didn’t have the speed. But his shooting was phenomenal.” McMahon also credited the late-game effort of Jack Hawkins as an important item in the triumph.

“We usually don’t get beat from outside, but we got beat from outside tonight,” groaned 76er coach Dolph Schayes, who received a 30-point game from Wilt Chamberlain and 22-pointers from Hal Greer and Chet Walker. “Oscar had an unbelievable night, and Jerry Lucas hit some key 30-footers.”

The Royals shot 46 for 88 with Lucas scoring 22 points and Adrian Smith 23. Combined with Oscar’s perfect first half and late clutch shooting, the Ohioans presented a rugged obstacle, and the 76ers’ plight doesn’t grow any brighter considering that the third game will be played Sunday in Cincinnati.

“It’s all even again. This was the big one, winning it on the road,” assured Robertson, whose two foul conversions with three seconds left clinched matters.

“I’ll just rest and take some treatments tomorrow,” Oscar said. “I took treatments yesterday — all day.”If the foot responds to medical care again, the 76ers may get another treatment Sunday.

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