Dec. 26, 1963 - What started as a great night for Art Heyman (pictured), prize rookie of the New York Knicks, ended as a tremendous triumph for Jerry West, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 134-126 victory over the Knicks last night before 15,163 at Madison Square Garden. Heyman, given a starting assignment at the last moment because Tom Gola turned up with an injury, scored 20 points in the first 16 minutes and dominated a 68-58 first half. Then West, who finished with 47 points, poured in 36 of them in the second half and brought his club from behind. During the first 7½ minutes of the final quarter, the Knicks suffered a king-sized cold spell, making just one basket and missing 10 shots. The Lakers, meanwhile, produced 11 field goals — 5 on jump shots by West. The Knicks did close to within 123-120 with two minutes to play, but a free throw by Jim King, another bucket by West, and four quick points by Elgin Baylor made the score 130-122 and the home team was finished. In the preliminary game, the Harlem Magicians clowned through a 91-67 “victory” over a team called the New York Olympians in a performance loudly appreciated by the large crowd. The biggest hand went to Nat (Sweetwater) Clifton, who looks just as good as he did when he was a star for the Knicks. Tomorrow night, the Lakers travel to Boston for a clash with the mighty Celtics. The game will be televised in Los Angeles over KHJ-TV (9) at 5 p.m. Boston ace Bill Russell, who missed the last two games with a hamstring pull, worked out with the club on Christmas and will play.
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