During the 1951–52 season, the Lakers won 40 games, finishing second in their division.[1] They faced the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which they won in seven games.[30] In the 1952–53 season, Mikan led the NBA in rebounding, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game (rpg), and was named MVP of the 1953 NBA All-Star Game.[3] After a 48–22 regular season, the Lakers defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in the Western playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals.[30] They then defeated the New York Knicks to win their second straight championship.[31] Though Lakers star George Mikan suffered from knee problems throughout the 1953–54 season, he was still able to average 18 ppg.[32] Clyde Lovellette, who was drafted in 1952, helped the team win the Western Division.[32] The team won its third straight championship in the 1950s and fifth in six seasons when it defeated the Syracuse Nationals in seven games.[31]