Dec. 3, 1963 - Big Wilt Chamberlain got out of a sick bed to preserve his continuous game performance in the NBA and helped the San Francisco Warriors beat the New York Knicks, 116-108, at Madison Square Garden tonight. Chamberlain, suffering with a heavy chest cold and under doctor’s care, asked to play and worked 41 minutes. He has not missed a game since he came into the NBA in 1959, playing in 359 consecutive games. He scored 21 points and grabbed 22 rebounds despite his condition. Wilt took only four shots in the first half, when he concentrated on passing and defense, stifling Knick center Billy McGill while the Warriors built a lead. San Francisco put together an eight-point spurt in the opening minutes of the second half to open a 28-point lead, 75-47, and led the rest of the way. McGill, Len Chappell, and Johnny Green sparked the Knicks within four points early in the final quarter. But the home team fell apart again as Chamberlain hit a pair of key buckets and went back to work under the boards. An off-course pigeon has apparently decided to make Madison Square Garden his home. The pigeon came out during the game for a brief look at his club, but he was as disappointed as coach Eddie Donovan and quickly retreated to his niche in the balcony. Some of the patrons got the message too and headed for the exits as the Knicks put on a miserable show from the floor.
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