1959 Boston Celtics

Boston ran away with the East at 52-20. Russell was now in full command of the defense and the boards, grabbing 30 rebounds in two of the four Finals games. Auerbach's backcourt had grown to include Sam Jones and K.C. Jones, two guards from small colleges who would define the next decade in Boston.

The Celtics nearly didn't reach the Finals. Syracuse pushed them to seven games in the Eastern Division final before Boston survived. Cousy, Sharman, and Heinsohn handled the scoring, with Frank Ramsey adding points off the bench.

Minneapolis had upset St. Louis to get there, but they had no answer for Boston. The Celtics won all four games, the closest by five points. It was the first time any team had swept the Finals.

The win opened a streak of eight straight championships, still the longest in the history of North American team sports. Vern Mikkelsen, one of the original Lakers big men, played his last game in the clincher.