Belt game 587 · February 11, 1954
Boston Celtics take the belt
Boston Celtics beat New York Knicks 84–81 at home to start reign 263 of the NBA belt, the 20th for the franchise.
New York Knicks had held it since February 7, 1954, with 1 defense over 4 days.
Boston Celtics held it for 2 days and 0 defenses, then lost it to Baltimore Bullets (1947–54) on February 13, 1954.
263Reign number
20Team's reign
0Defenses
2Days held
Box score
Boston Celtics
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Cousy | 0 | 33 | 10 | 6 | — | — | 11-28 | — | 11-12 |
| Bill Sharman | 0 | 15 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 3-4 |
| Don Barksdale | 0 | 14 | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4-9 |
| Ernie Barrett | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 0-1 |
| Jack Nichols | 0 | 6 | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2-2 |
| Bob Harris | 0 | 5 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3-3 |
| Bob Donham | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 0-0 | — | 3-7 |
| Bob Brannum | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 0-0 | — | 0-0 |
| Chuck Cooper | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0-0 | — | 0-0 |
New York Knicks
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Gallatin | 0 | 20 | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 10-12 |
| Fred Schaus | 0 | 14 | 10 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2-3 |
| Dick McGuire | 0 | 13 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 7-10 |
| Nat Clifton | 0 | 12 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 4-4 |
| Carl Braun | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6-7 |
| Ed Smith | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0-0 |
| Jim Baechtold | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 0-2 |
| Connie Simmons | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 0-0 |
| Al McGuire | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 0-0 | — | 0-2 |
Player box scores: Historical NBA Data and Player Box Scores by Eoin Moore (CC0).