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Boston Celtics Top 25 Moments In Franchise History

By Bill Speros

BOSTON - 1996: Red Auerbach, former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in front of Celtics championship banners in Boston Massachesetts in 1996. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Greg Foster/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON - 1996: Red Auerbach, former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in front of Celtics championship banners in Boston Massachesetts in 1996. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Greg Foster/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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4. Russell Exits a Champion

Of the 17 NBA titles won by the Celtics, none carried the historic impact and long-term significance of Boston’s triumph over the Lakers in 1969. It would be Bill Russell’s final game as a player.

The series marked the sixth time in eight years that the teams had played for the NBA championship. The Celtics had won all six meetings. Led by Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry “The Logo” West, and Elgin Baylor the favored Lakers won the first two games of the series. With the soon-to-be-retired Russell shepherding his team, Boston forced a Game 7 in LA.

The Lakers infamously loaded 5,000 balloons to be dropped on the floor of the Forum after their expected victory. Boston won a Game 7 thriller 108-106 after taking a 17-point lead. “What I want to know is what are they going to do with all those goddamn balloons? Anybody want to buy some balloons cheap?” Auerbach said.

Next: No. 3

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