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1977 NBA playoffs

The 1977 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1976–77 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. It was Portland's first (and so far, only) NBA title. Bill Walton was named NBA Finals MVP.

Portland won the NBA title in its first playoff appearance, something that had not taken place since the early days of the BAA (and has not since, as of 2022). The Trail Blazers went 10-0 at home in the playoffs.

This was the first NBA playoffs after the ABA-NBA merger; two of the former ABA teams (the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets) made their playoff debuts in their first NBA season. The New Jersey Nets made their playoff debut in 1979, and the Indiana Pacers in 1981.

The NBA Playoffs added 1 more team from each conference, for a total of 12 contestants, up from 10 the previous year. Also, the two division winners in each conference were automatically given a first-round bye and started the playoffs in the conference semifinals.

This was the Detroit Pistons last playoff appearance of the decade and their last as a Western Conference team, as they would move to the East in 1978. They would not reach the postseason again until 1984.

After losing in the semifinals to Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors wouldn't return to the playoffs again until 1987.

For the first time since 1956, the Eastern Conference Finals had neither the Celtics nor Knicks participating.

The referees went on strike during these playoffs. Two high-profile veterans, Richie Powers and Earl Strom, did not honor the strike and stayed on the job.

It was the first time since 1950 that the NBA Champion had to win 4 rounds.

Bracket

First round

Eastern Conference first round

(3) Washington Bullets vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Cavaliers winning the previous meeting.

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[3]

Western Conference first round

(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (6) Chicago Bulls

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[4]

(4) Golden State Warriors vs. (5) Detroit Pistons

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning both previous encounters. The April 17 game saw a fistfight between Eric Money of the Pistons and Charles Dudley of the Warriors in the third quarter that turned into a ten-minute melee between coaches and fans. The referees (filling in as replacements due to a strike between NBA referees) assessed personal fouls on Money and Dudley and continued play.[5]

Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference semifinals

(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (4) Boston Celtics

This was the 14th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning eight of the first 13 meetings.

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Washington Bullets

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[8]

Western Conference semifinals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Golden State Warriors

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning three of the first four meetings.

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[10]

Conference finals

Eastern Conference finals

(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Houston Rockets

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[11]

Western Conference finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[12]

NBA Finals: (E1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (W3) Portland Trail Blazers

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nate Thurmond Playoffs Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Cleveland Cavaliers versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. ^ "Warriors Oust Pistons As Brawl Erupts, 109‐101". April 18, 1977. Retrieved May 7, 2023 – via NYTimes.com.
  6. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Golden State Warriors (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  8. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  9. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  11. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Philadelphia 76ers versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

External links