Real World: It's a Threepeat for the Lakers, they've won 4 of the first 5 NBA Titles as they take down the Nationals.
East Round Robin: Nationals (4-0)
Celtics (2-2)
Knicks (0-4)
West Round Robin: Lakers (3-0)
Royals (2-1)
Pistons (0-4)
Simulation: The four teams remaining as we reach the division finals are the four teams who have reached the past two NBA Finals, Boston looking to repeat as Champions.
East Finals: Syracuse Nationals (42-30) v. Boston Celtics (42-30)
West Finals: Minneapolis Lakers (46-26) v. Rochester Royals (44-28)
East Finals (March, 1954)
Game 1 (Syracuse): Celtics 106 Nationals 82
The divisional finals are a best of 3 this year, so the Celtics move to within a game of returning to the Finals. 7 in double figures for Boston led by Jack Nichols who goes 16/10. Bob Cousy returns from his NBA Finals MVP a year prior with 17 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds. Dolph Schayes goes 23/16 in the loss.
Game 2 (Boston): Nationals 103 Celtics 74
We will head back to Syracuse for a decisive game 3, Wally Osterkorn goes for 17, 15 boards and 5 assists for the Nats. 15/11 for Bob Lavoy. Cousy is 19/5/5 in the loss.
Game 3 (Syracuse): Nationals 99 Celtics 84
Boston will not repeat as NBA Champs; two years after losing the NBA Finals, the Nationals will return. Dolph Schayes is the series MVP, 19 pts/23 rebounds in the win. Osterkorn was 16/10. 18 pts/8 assists for Cousy.
West Finals (March, 1954)
Game 1 (Minneapolis): Royals 100 Lakers 93
We're one game away from a rematch of the '52 Finals, the Royals taking game 1 on the road. 14 pts/15 boards for Jack Coleman. 19 pts for Bobby Wanzer. The great George Mikan goes 27/20 in the loss.
Game 2 (Rochester): Lakers 82 Royals 81
8 lead changes in the 4th quarter, the Royals had a 4 point lead with a minute left, Slater Martin cut it to 1 with a 3 point play, Vern Mikkelsen with a huge block on the other end leading to Jim Pollard's game winning, series saving, 9 foot buzzer beater. Double/doubles for both Mikkelsen and Mikan - Mikan was held to 13 points. 18 points/6 assists for Jack McMahon in the loss.
One game to go - back to Minnesota, winner to face the Nationals in the Finals.
Game 3 (Minneapolis): Lakers 92 Royals 81
The Lakers win the West again and return to the NBA Finals, this time to face Syracuse. George Mikan, of course, is the series MVP, 20/12. Jack Coleman is 12/17 in the loss.
For the first time, the simulation matchup replicates the real world matchup.
NBA FINALS (March/April, 1954) MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS v. SYRACUSE NATIONALS
Lakers
HC - John Kundla
C George Mikan (29) - 1st Team All NBA
F Vern Mikkelsen (25)
F Jim Pollard (31) - 2nd Team All NBA
G Slater Martin (28) All Star
G Whitey Skoog (27)
Nationals
HC- Al Cervi
C Dolph Schayes (25) - 1st Team All NBA
F Wally Osterkorn (25)
G Billy Kenville (23)
G George King (25)
G Paul Seymour (26) - 2nd Team All NBA
Game 1 (Minneapolis): Nationals 100 Lakers 95
The Nationals overcome a single digit performance from Dolph Schayes and take game 1 on the road. 23 pts, 8 assists, 5 boards for Paul Seymour. 13/12 for Wally Osterkorn. 20 and 17 for the legendary George Mikan in the defeat.
Game 2 (Minneapolis): Lakers 100 Nationals 85
The series heads to Syracuse all square at 1. Clyde Lovellette is the star in this one, 28 pts, 18 rebounds. 25 points/11 rebounds for Mikan, George King has 20 pts in the loss.
Game 3 (Syracuse): Lakers 85 Nationals 76
George Mikan is 29, its his last full time season, 22 pts, 6 rebounds and 6 blocks in the Lakers game 3 win. Paul Seymour scores 10 and is the only National in double digits as the Lakers defense throttles the Nats.
Game 4 (Syracuse): Lakers 96 Nationals 79
Minneapolis goes up 3-1 as their defense has taken control of the series, the Nationals limited to 14 4th qtr points. 28 points/16 rebounds/5 assists for the greatest postseason performer in NBA history to date, George Mikan. 16 points for Dolph Schayes in the loss.
Game 5 (Syracuse): Nationals 98 Lakers 81
There are going to be some tense faces in Minneapolis when we head to game 6, a year ago, the Lakers led 3-2, going home for game 6 - and then lost those last 2 games and the Finals. This year, they went up 3-1, but lose this one and now, again, will head home up 3-2. 25 year old Wally Osterkorn averaged 8.8 PPG this season, but in this must win game, Osterkorn scores 25 with 10 boards to pace the Nats. George Mikan is held to 12 points (with 13 boards) in the loss.
Game 6 (Minneapolis): Lakers 107 Nationals 78
There is no repeat of last season; the Lakers leave no doubt, thumping the Nationals to win the NBA Championship. 23 pts/10 rebounds for Mikan, culminating the final full season of his career with the Finals MVP. Jim Pollard chipped in 19. Dolph Schayes was held to 10 points in the elimination.
NBA Finals History
1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)
1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)
1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)
1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)
1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)
1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)
1953: Boston Celtics d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-3) - MVP: Bob Cousy (PG, 24)
1954: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2) - MVP: George Mikan (C, 29)
