On This Date: March 21

Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns dished out 20 assists in a 115-114 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

George Johnson of the New Jersey Nets blocked 12 shots in a 117-114 loss to the New Orleans Jazz.

2-time NBA All-Star Joe Fulks died at the age of 54.

Harvey Catchings of the Philadelphia 76ers blocked 10 shots in a 114-103 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics pulled down 36 rebounds in a 116-99 win over the Cincinnati Royals.

The St. Louis Hawks defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 116-115 in the NBA Western Division Semifinals for a 2-1 series win.

The Syracuse Nationals defeated the Boston Celtics 102-97 in the NBA Eastern Division Semifinals for a 2-1 series win.

Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics scored 50 points in a 111-105 win over the Syracuse Nationals.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 111-105 in the NBA Eastern Division Semifinals for a 2-0 series win.

The Providence Steam Rollers selected Howie Shannon with the first overall pick in the 1949 BAA draft.