February 2,1956- Celtics beat Lakers 102-101

The Celtics and Lakers met for the 2nd straight day and unlike their meeting the previous night, this time it was the Celtics winning a close one by the score of 102-101 in the first game of a doubleheader in St. Louis. Although the final score was close it didn't get that way until Chuck Mencel scored 6 points in the final minute, including an uncontested shot as the clock expired. Ed Macauley had 31 for the Celtics and Bill Sharman added 35. The Celtics improved their season record to 27-21.

In the 2nd game of the doubleheader the St. Louis Hawks beat the Fort Wayne Pistons 98-90. Bob Pettit had 27 points for the Hawks, and Jack Coleman scored 21 for the Hawks also.

Box Score

Boston G FT T
Barrett 1 0-0 2
Loscutoff 1 0-1 2
Macauley 10 11-14 31
Hemric 1 2-3 4
Morrison 2 2-4 6
Risen 4 4-4 12
Cousy 3 4-4 10
Palazzi 0 0-0 0
Sharman 14 7-7 35

Totals 36 30-37 102

Minneapolis G FT T
Hitch 0 0-0 0
Kalafat 3 2-4 8
Mikkelsen 6 5-6 17
Schnittker 2 0-0 4
Lovellette 8 5-8 21
Mikan 5 2-2 12
Garmaker 0 1-1 1
Martin 7 1-2 15
Mencel 2 2-2 6
Skoog 8 1-1 17

Totals 41 19-26 101

Boston...........30 27 25 20-102
Minneapolis..24 27 25 25-101

February 1, 1956- Lakers beat Celtics in controversial fashion, Macauley sets NBA record

The Minneapolis Lakers the hottest team in the NBA since the return of George Mikan, gained a controversial 107-106 victory of the Boston Celtics in Minneapolis. The Celtics led for most of the game until late in the 4th quarter when the Lakers who found themselves down by 5, 105-100 when Dick Schnittker hit 2 free throws, when referee Joey Logan called a technical foul on Boston for delay of game. Schnittker hit a free throw, and 13 seconds later hit 2 more to tie the game. Arnie Risen hit a free throw to give the Celtics a 1 point lead with 22 seconds left, before Vern Mikkelsen hit a game winning jumper with 4 seconds left. Red Auerbach immediately protested the game based on Logan's delay of game call. Ed Macauley led all scorers with 26 points, and set an NBA record with 18 straight free throws. The Celtics season record dropped to 26-21.

Box Score

Minneapolis (107) G F PF P
Mikkelsen lf 3 3 5 9
Lovellette 8 5 2 21
Kalafat 1 0 4 2
Schnittker rf 4 12 4 20
Mikan c 6 0 6 12
Hitch 1 0 3 2
Skoog lg 5 3 2 13
Martin rg 8 5 5 21
Garmaker 1 3 2 5
Mencel 0 2 1 2

Total...37 33 34 107

Boston (106) G F PF P
Macauley 4 18 6 26
Loscutoff 3 1 1 7
Hemric rf 5 7 1 17
Palazzi 4 2 5 10
Risen c 3 3 5 9
Morrison 1 0 4 2
Sharman lg 5 1 2 11
Cousy rg 6 8 5 20
Barrett 1 2 1 4

Total..32 42 30 106

Minneapolis.....20 27 31 29-107
Boston..............23 31 28 24-106