Today in Boston Celtics history: Lakers-Celtics rivalry born; Hondo last home game; Tatum 53

Today in Boston Celtics history, in 1959, the rivalry between Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers originated when the Celtics defeated their longtime rivals to win their second NBA title. The Lakers were then based in Minnesota (known for its lakes, thus the franchise name of today). This was the end of their first NBA Finals series played vs.

each other, with it ending in a 118-113 victory for the Massachusetts franchise. Boston fans of today will be pleased to note that this was a four-game sweep for the Celtics. They won the seven-game series to take home the first of eight NBA championships in a row, a feat that has yet to be replicated.

For what it’s worth, it was also only one of two times a team with a losing record — the Lakers — made it to the finals. But, it began a long tradition of the two teams meeting in the NBA finals over the decades that would be closer than this initial series might have one think. Historic milestones It was a year later in 1960 that the Celtics defeated the (then) St.

Louis Hawks (now, Atlanta) 122-103 in Game 7 of the 1960 NBA Finals to win their third NBA Championship. Wing Frank Ramsey led all scorers with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and legendary big man Bill Russell chipped in 22 points and an absurd 35 boards. It is also the date of Boston legend John Havlicek’s last home game in 1978, a 131-114 win over the Buffalo (New York) Braves (now, the Los Angeles Clippers — or Celtics, it's a long story ).