It was on this day – April 15th, 1965 – that Havlicek stole the ball. This defining moment of defensive brilliance helped the Celtics secure a Game 7 victory in the Eastern Conference Finals at home against the dreaded Philadelphia 76ers. The C’s went on to win the title that year.
It’s the final moments of regulation, and the Sixers are chipping away at a modest fourth-quarter Celtics lead. With just a few seconds left on the clock, Superstar Wilt Chamberlain puts home an easy dunk – he’ll finish the game with 30 points and 32 rebounds. Thanks to this basket, the Sixers pull within a point. The C’s are up 110 – 109.
Boston and Philly have played a very tight series, and here in Game 7, neither team looked able to fully pull away. Still, even with Chamberlain’s dunk, the C’s are a few free throws away from securing a narrow victory.
