<< 1964-65 Los Angeles Lakers | 1966-67 Los Angeles Lakers >>
With Elgin Baylor hitting 31 years of age, it was firmly Jerry West’s Los Angeles Lakers by 1965, and they had a tall task trying to dethrone the Boston Celtics. They weren’t the only ones attempting that, as the Philadelphia 76ers — led by perennial MVP candidate Wilt Chamberlain — also were going to give their all.
The Lakers grabbed the No. 1 seed out west with a 45-35 record, and the 76ers forced the Celtics to play in the first round for one of the first times during their impeccable run. That didn’t stop them, as they got past the 76ers and the Cincinnati Royals to once again be in the Finals.
The Lakers would meet them there after defeating the St. Louis Hawks. In one of their best chances to end the Celtics dynasty, L.A. lost by just two points in a championship-clinching Game 7. This gave the Celtics their still-standing record of eight consecutive championships and nine overall.
Roster
NBA regular season statistics
NBA regular season schedule and results
NBA playoffs statistics
NBA playoffs schedule and results
