1961-62 NBA Season

As originally written by Tony Miller:

The NBA returned to a Saturday-only schedule for the final season of its first stint on the peacock network in 1961-1962. Out were three of the four announcers: Bud Palmer became the primary commentator, spelled twice by Bob Wolff.

New to the scene was an expansion team, the Chicago Packers. They played their home games at the International Amphitheatre, at Halsted and 42nd on the south side, about a mile from Comiskey Park. That facility was a little more than 6 miles northwest of the Indiana line, ending the Royals’ four-year run as the nearest team to the Hoosier state.

Also in the Western Division, the Pistons moved southeast from the Olympia to riverfront Cobo Arena. If you’re keeping score, it’s 3.5 miles between the two.

Data from ”The NBA on NBC 1954-55 to 1961-62”, courtesy librarybob and jtgrace1.

OCTOBER

Saturday 10/21:

Knicks-Warriors, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 10/28:

Pistons-Lakers, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

NOVEMBER

Saturday 11/4:

Nationals-Celtics, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 11/11:

Royals-Packers, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 11/18:

Packers-Pistons, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 11/25:

Lakers-Pistons, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

DECEMBER

Saturday 12/2:

Packers-Nationals, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 12/9:

Packers-Warriors, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 12/23:

Knicks-Celtics, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

JANUARY

Saturday 1/13:

Royals-Pistons, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 1/20:

Pistons-Warriors, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 1/27:

Nationals-Packers, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

FEBRUARY

Saturday 2/3:

Royals-Knicks, 2:30, NBC. Bob Wolff

Saturday 2/10:

Pistons-Nationals, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 2/17:

Lakers-Knicks, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 2/24:

Lakers-Royals, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

MARCH

Saturday 3/10:

Pistons-Nationals, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 3/17:

West semis, g2: Pistons-Royals, 2:00, NBC. Bud Palmer

Sunday 3/18:

East semis, g2: Warriors-Nationals, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 3/24:

East finals, g1: Warriors-Celtics, 2:00, NBC. Bud Palmer

Saturday 3/31:

East finals, g4: Celtics-Warriors, 2:30, NBC. Bud Palmer

APRIL

Saturday 4/7:

NBA Finals, g1: Lakers-Celtics, 2:30, NBC. Bob Wolff, Bud Palmer