On This Date in Sports November 28, 1969: Streaking Knicks
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The New York Knicks set a record for the longest winning streak in NBA history at 18 games, beating the Cincinnati Royals 106-105 in Cleveland. Things looked bleak late in the game, as the Royals led by six points with less than 20 seconds left. However, the Knicks ended the game on a 7-0 run to extend their streak. With the win, the Knicks improved to 23-1 on the season.
The New York Knickerbockers were a member of the NBA since day one, playing the Toronto Huskies in the first official game on November 1, 1946. However, success had eluded the Knicks in their first two decades, as they had never won NBA Championship, losing in the NBA Finals three straight years from 1951-1953. Finally, under Coach Red Holtzman, New York had a team that could contend for the title as the Boston Celtics dynasty was finally at an end when Bill Russell retired after 11 championships in a 13-year career.
Under the shadow of the New York Mets winning the World Series, the Knicks began the season with five straight wins before suffering a 112-109 loss to the San Francisco Warriors at Madison Square Garden on October 23rd. The following night, the Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons 116-92 at Cobo Arena. Most wins during the streak were blowouts, as only two of the first 17 games during the streak were decided by less than a ten-point margin. Playing a neutral site game against the Cincinnati Royals at Cleveland Arena, the Knicks' string appeared to be coming to an end as the Royals held a 105-99 lead in the game's waning seconds. The big plays came when Dave DeBusschere made a steal and score to cut the lead to one, and on the next possession, Walt Frazier created a turnover and hit two clutch free throws with two seconds left to give the Knicks the lead. The Knicks' winning streak would end the following night with a 110-98 loss to the Pistons at the Garden.
Powered by their great start, the New York Knicks finished with the best record in the NBA at 60-22. In the playoffs, the Knicks would need seven games to fight off the pesky Baltimore Bullets but took out the Milwaukee Bucks and super rookie Lew Alcindor in five games. In the NBA Finals, the Knicks battled the Los Angeles Lakers for seven games, winning memorable Game 7 when Willis Reed fighting through injury inspired the Knicks to a 113-99 win to claim their first NBA Championship.