1954–55 Syracuse Nationals season


During the 1954–55 Syracuse Nationals season, the National Basketball Association was struggling financially and down to just 8 teams. Nationals owner Danny Biasone suggested that the league limit the amount of time taken for a shot. Biasone was upset with the stalling tactics of opposing teams. During the summer of 1954, Biasone had gotten together some of his pros and a group of high school players and timed them with a stopwatch. Most shots were taken within 12 seconds, Biasone discovered. Biasone calculated that a 24-second shot clock would allow at least 30 shots per quarter and assist in increasing scoring. The result would speed up a game that often ended with long periods of teams just holding the ball. Quickness and athletic ability became prized as they never had been before. Excessive fouling didn't disappear completely, but just about everyone concluded that the clock was good for the game. The shot clock was a success with the result that scoring was up 14 points per game league wide. In the 1st season of the shot clock, the Nats would take 1st place in the Eastern Division with a 43–29 record.

Offseason

NBA Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
16Red KerrC/FIllinois

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Season schedule

Playoffs

East Division Semifinals

The Nationals had a division semifinal bye.

East Division Finals

Syracuse Nationals vs. Boston Celtics: Nationals win series 3–1
In the finals, the Nats would get off to a fast start; taking the first 2 games at home against the Fort Wayne Pistons. However, as home court shifted, the Pistons would spark back to life; taking all 3 games to take a 3–2 series lead. Heading back to Syracuse for Game 6 the Nats kept their Championship hopes alive by defeating the Pistons 109–104 to force a decisive game 7 at home. Game 7 would prove to be as tight as the entire series had played out to that point. As time started running out on the Pistons title hopes late in the 4th quarter of game 7 point guard George King sank a clutch free throw to give the Nats a 92–91 lead. King would then steal the inbound pass as time ticked away to clinch the NBA title for the Nationals.
GameDateHome TeamResultRoad Team
Game 1March 31Syracuse86–82Fort Wayne
Game 2April 2Syracuse87–84Fort Wayne
Game 3April 3Fort Wayne96–89Syracuse
Game 4April 5Fort Wayne109–82Syracuse
Game 5April 7Fort Wayne74–71Syracuse
Game 6April 9Syracuse109–104Fort Wayne
Game 7April 10Syracuse92–91Fort Wayne

Nationals win series 4–3

Awards and honors