The Historic 1951 NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs. Rochester Royals
The 1951 NBA Finals was an historic event that saw the New York Knicks and the Rochester Royals face off in a closely contested series. Both teams had talented players and strong performances leading up to the NBA Finals.
The Knicks’ Road to the NBA Finals
The New York Knicks had a rocky start to their season, but they managed to turn things around with the help of their star players. Harry Gallatin was a force to be reckoned with, averaging 13.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Dick McGuire was a skilled playmaker, averaging 8.2 assists per game. The Knicks had a solid defense, allowing only 81.7 points per game, which was the best in the league.
In the playoffs, the Knicks faced the Syracuse Nationals in the Eastern Division Semifinals. The Knicks won the series in three games, with Gallatin leading the way with 19.7 points and 17.3 rebounds per game. In the Eastern Division Finals, the Knicks faced the Boston Celtics. The series went the distance, but the Knicks emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. Gallatin once again led the way with 20.6 points and 16 rebounds per game.
The Royals’ Path to the NBA Finals
The Rochester Royals had a strong regular season, finishing second in the Western Division with a record of 41-27. Bob Davies was the team’s top scorer, averaging 22.3 points per game. Arnie Risen was a dominant force in the paint, averaging 16.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. The Royals had a potent offense, scoring an average of 83.9 points per game.
In the playoffs, the Royals faced the Indianapolis Olympians in the Western Division Semifinals. The Royals won the series in four games, with Davies leading the way with 23.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. In the Western Division Finals, the Royals faced the Minneapolis Lakers, who had won the previous two NBA Championships. The Royals upset the Lakers with a 3-2 series win, with Davies once again leading the way with 22 points and 8.6 assists per game.
The Series: Knicks vs. Royals
The 1951 NBA Finals was a closely contested series between the New York Knicks and the Rochester Royals. The series went the distance, with each team winning three games. The seventh and deciding game was held in Rochester, New York.
Game 1: Rochester Royals Win 92-65
Game 1 of the 1951 NBA Finals was a dominant performance by the Rochester Royals, who crushed the New York Knicks 92-65. The Royals came out firing, taking an early lead and never looking back. Bob Davies led the way for the Royals, scoring 18 points and dishing out 9 assists. Arnie Risen was a force in the paint, scoring 12 points and grabbing an impressive 16 rebounds. The Knicks struggled to find their rhythm, with Harry Gallatin being their only player in double figures with 16 points. The Knicks were unable to match the Royals’ intensity and found themselves in a big hole early on in the series.
The defense of the Knicks, which was the best in the league during the regular season, was unable to stop the Royals’ potent offense. The Knicks’ offense, which was heavily reliant on Gallatin, struggled to find other scoring options. The Royals’ defense was suffocating, with the Knicks shooting only 29.7% from the field. The Knicks needed to regroup and make adjustments if they wanted to get back into the series. The Royals, on the other hand, had a lot of momentum and were looking to carry their dominant performance into the next game.
Game 2: New York Knicks Even the Series with 99-84 Victory
The New York Knicks bounced back in Game 2, evening the series with a 99-84 victory. The Knicks were determined to make up for their lackluster performance in Game 1 and came out firing. Carl Braun led the way for the Knicks, scoring 25 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Harry Gallatin had another solid game with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Knicks’ defense was much improved, holding the Royals to only 37.5% shooting from the field.
The Royals struggled to find their rhythm in Game 2, with Bob Davies being the only player in double figures with 21 points. The Knicks’ defense was much more effective in containing Davies and limiting his opportunities to distribute the ball. The Royals’ Arnie Risen had a subpar game, scoring only 7 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. The Knicks’ victory in Game 2 was a testament to their resilience and determination to even the series.
Game 3: Rochester Royals Take the Lead with 92-87 Win
The Rochester Royals took the lead in the series with a hard-fought 92-87 win in Game 3. The Royals had a balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures. Bob Davies led the way with 22 points and 8 assists, while Arnie Risen had a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds. The Knicks’ Dick McGuire had a solid game with 15 points and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Royals’ offensive firepower.
The game was closely contested, with neither team able to pull away. The Royals’ defense was effective in containing Harry Gallatin, who was held to only 12 points and 9 rebounds. The Knicks’ Carl Braun had a solid game with 19 points, but he didn’t get enough support from his teammates. The Royals’ victory in Game 3 was crucial in giving them the lead in the series, and they were determined to maintain their momentum heading into the next game.
Game 4: New York Knicks Tie the Series with 79-73 Victory
The New York Knicks tied the series with a hard-fought 79-73 victory in Game 4. Harry Gallatin led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Dick McGuire had 12 points and 9 assists. Bob Davies had a game-high 21 points, but he didn’t get enough support from his teammates to secure the victory.
The game was closely contested throughout, with neither team able to pull away. The Knicks’ defense was effective in containing the Royals’ offense, holding them to only 38.3% shooting from the field. The Royals’ Arnie Risen had a solid game with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but he didn’t get enough support from his teammates. The Knicks’ victory in Game 4 was a testament to their resilience and determination to even the series, setting up a crucial Game 5.
Game 5: Rochester Royals Regain the Lead with 80-75 Win
The Rochester Royals regained the lead in the series with an 80-75 win in Game 5. The Royals had a balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures. Bob Davies led the way with 16 points, while Arnie Risen had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Harry Gallatin had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Royals from taking the victory.
The game was closely contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. The Royals’ defense was effective in containing the Knicks’ offense, holding them to only 34.8% shooting from the field. The Knicks’ Carl Braun had a solid game with 19 points, but he didn’t get enough support from his teammates. The Royals’ victory in Game 5 was crucial in giving them a chance to win the NBA Championship, and they were determined to maintain their momentum heading into the next game.
Game 6: New York Knicks Force a Seventh Game with 92-89 Victory
The New York Knicks forced a seventh game with a 92-89 victory in Game 6. The Knicks had a balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures. Harry Gallatin had a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Carl Braun had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Bob Davies had a game-high 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Knicks from winning.
The game was closely contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. The Knicks’ defense was effective in containing the Royals’ offense, holding them to only 38.8% shooting from the field. The Knicks’ victory in Game 6 was a testament to their resilience and determination to force a seventh and deciding game. The Royals knew they had a tough challenge ahead of them in Game 7, but they were determined to give it their all to secure the NBA Championship.
Key Players in the Series
The 1951 NBA Finals was a showcase of some of the greatest players of the time, with both the New York Knicks and Rochester Royals featuring star players. For the Knicks, the standout player was Harry Gallatin. Gallatin was a dominant force in the paint, known for his rebounding and scoring ability. He was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1952 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. Gallatin’s solid performance in the series was crucial for the Knicks, as he averaged 16.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.
On the other side, the Rochester Royals featured Bob Davies, the MVP of the 1951 NBA Finals. Davies was a versatile player, known for his scoring ability and excellent court vision. He was a five-time All-NBA First Team selection and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. Davies’ exceptional play in the series was instrumental in leading the Royals to their first NBA Championship, averaging 22.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.
Another key player for the Royals was Arnie Risen. Risen was a dominant force in the paint, known for his rebounding and scoring ability. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. Risen’s ability to control the boards and score in the paint was crucial for the Royals in their victory over the Knicks. He averaged 13.7 points and 12.2 rebounds per game throughout the series. The combination of Davies and Risen proved to be too much for the Knicks to handle, and their outstanding performance was a key factor in the Royals’ victory in the 1951 NBA Finals.
The MVP: Bob Davies
The MVP of the 1951 NBA Finals was Bob Davies, a dominant force on both ends of the court. Davies led the Rochester Royals to their first NBA Championship, averaging 22.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game throughout the series. Davies’ exceptional play made him the standout player of the series, as he showcased his scoring ability and excellent court vision.
Bob Davies’ impact on the series cannot be understated, as he was the best player on the court in each game. His ability to score at will and distribute the ball to his teammates made him a nightmare for opposing teams. Davies’ legacy as one of the greatest players of his time was cemented by his performance in the 1951 NBA Finals, and his MVP award was well-deserved.
Conclusion
The 1951 NBA Finals was an unforgettable series that showcased the talent and determination of two great teams. The series went the distance, with each team winning three games, and was closely contested throughout. Bob Davies was named the MVP of the series, leading the Rochester Royals to their first NBA Championship. The series will always be remembered as one of the greatest moments in NBA history, showcasing the best of what the sport has to offer. The 1951 NBA Finals will forever hold a special place in the hearts of basketball fans around the world.