Today in Boston Celtics history: Celtics 1st title; Loscy draft; Barnes, Kappen, Barros, Olowokandi born

Today in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise secured their first of 18 championships in 1957, ending in a sizzling 125-123 double-overtime match at the historic Boston Garden against the St. Louis Hawks (now known as the Atlanta Hawks). The series was tied at three games apiece heading into the pivotal Game 7, where rookie and future `legend Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell pulled down a record 32 rebounds, the highest number recorded by a rookie in any NBA Finals game at that time.

It also saw fellow future Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn, a 6-foot-7 rookie forward, score 37 points and 23 rebounds in the win. The win sparked a short-lived rivalry between the two clubs that would end in the early 1960s, supplanted by the Los Angeles Lakers. Transaction It is also the date that former Celtic forward Jim Loscutoff was drafted by Boston in the 1955 NBA Draft – third overall – out of Oregon.

Loscutoff would play for the Celtics for nine seasons, averaging 6. 2 points and 5. 6 rebounds over that stretch.

Boston would win six championships while he was on the team, with his bruising defense being a significant factor in many of them. He requested "Loscy", his nickname -- not his jersey number, No. 18 -- be retired so future Celtics would still be able to wear it.