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1978 NBA playoffs
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The 1978 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1977-78 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Wes Unseld was named NBA Finals MVP. To date, it remains the only NBA title that the Bullets (since renamed the Wizards) have won.
Key Information
It was the third NBA Finals appearance and first title for the Bullets, founded in 1961. The Sonics made the Finals for the first time in their 11-year existence. This would be the first of two straight meetings in the Finals between the Bullets and Sonics, with Seattle winning the title the next year.
This was the first time since the expansion of the playoff field to 10 teams in 1975 that neither conference champion had the benefit of a first-round bye by being one of the top two teams in the conference during the regular season. The 1979 Finals rematch between the Sonics and Bullets took place with both teams as the #1 seed in their respective conference.
The Denver Nuggets, one of the four former American Basketball Association teams to join the NBA the previous season, became the first of them to win an NBA playoff series, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in a 7-game conference semifinal.
Bracket
[edit]| First Round | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | NBA Finals | ||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Philadelphia* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E4 | Cleveland | 0 | E5 | New York | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| E5 | New York | 2 | Eastern Conference | E1 | Philadelphia* | 2 | |||||||||||||
| E3 | Washington | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Washington | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Washington | 2 | E2 | San Antonio* | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| E6 | Atlanta | 0 | E3 | Washington | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| W4 | Seattle | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W1 | Portland* | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| W4 | Seattle | 2 | W4 | Seattle | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| W5 | Los Angeles | 1 | Western Conference | W4 | Seattle | 4 | |||||||||||||
| W2 | Denver* | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| W6 | Milwaukee | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Phoenix | 0 | W2 | Denver* | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| W6 | Milwaukee | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
- * Division winner
- Bold Series winner
- Italic Team with home-court advantage
First round
[edit]Eastern Conference first round
[edit](3) Washington Bullets vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
[edit]April 12
|
| Atlanta Hawks 94, Washington Bullets 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–25, 23–31, 23–25, 23–22 | ||
| Pts: John Drew 25 Rebs: Tom McMillen 14 Asts: Eddie Johnson 4 |
Pts: Bob Dandridge 20 Rebs: Wes Unseld 15 Asts: Wes Unseld 7 | |
| Washington leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 14
|
| Washington Bullets 107, Atlanta Hawks 103 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–26, 23–20, 30–24, 17–25, Overtime: 12–8 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Grevey 41 Rebs: Wes Unseld 15 Asts: Tom Henderson 5 |
Pts: John Drew 27 Rebs: Drew, McMillen 8 each Asts: Hill, Hawes 5 each | |
| Washington wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams split the first two meetings while both teams were in Baltimore and St. Louis respectively.
| Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) New York Knicks
[edit]April 12
|
| New York Knicks 132, Cleveland Cavaliers 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 32–31, 31–28, 36–31, 33–24 | ||
| Pts: Bob McAdoo 41 Rebs: Spencer Haywood 8 Asts: Ray Williams 6 |
Pts: Campy Russell 23 Rebs: Elmore Smith 12 Asts: Foots Walker 6 | |
| New York leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 14
|
| Cleveland Cavaliers 107, New York Knicks 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–26, 27–20, 25–31, 26–32 | ||
| Pts: Campy Russell 32 Rebs: Campy Russell 8 Asts: Campy Russell 6 |
Pts: McAdoo, Haywood 27 each Rebs: Bob McAdoo 12 Asts: Ray Williams 10 | |
| New York wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[2]
Western Conference first round
[edit](3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
[edit]April 11
|
| Milwaukee Bucks 111, Phoenix Suns 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–31, 26–24, 29–28, 32–20 | ||
| Pts: Brian Winters 31 Rebs: Marques Johnson 16 Asts: Quinn Buckner 8 |
Pts: Walter Davis 31 Rebs: Alvan Adams 9 Asts: Paul Westphal 9 | |
| Milwaukee leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 14
|
| Phoenix Suns 90, Milwaukee Bucks 94 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 36–25, 16–24, 17–22, 21–23 | ||
| Pts: Paul Westphal 32 Rebs: Walter Davis 9 Asts: Paul Westphal 10 |
Pts: Marques Johnson 33 Rebs: Dave Meyers 14 Asts: Quinn Buckner 10 | |
| Milwaukee wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[3]
(4) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers
[edit]April 12
|
| Los Angeles Lakers 90, Seattle SuperSonics 102 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–22, 24–25, 21–24, 22–31 | ||
| Pts: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 26 Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 12 Asts: Nixon, Scott 6 each |
Pts: Gus Williams 23 Rebs: Marvin Webster 14 Asts: Fred Brown 5 | |
| Seattle leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 14
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 99, Los Angeles Lakers 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–23, 27–26, 21–26, 25–30 | ||
| Pts: Dennis Johnson 21 Rebs: Marvin Webster 10 Asts: Sikma, Williams 4 each |
Pts: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24 Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18 Asts: Adrian Dantley 6 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 16
|
| Los Angeles Lakers 102, Seattle SuperSonics 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–26, 26–33, 28–32, 24–20 | ||
| Pts: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 31 Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 11 Asts: Norm Nixon 5 |
Pts: Jack Sikma 24 Rebs: Marvin Webster 18 Asts: Gus Williams 8 | |
| Seattle wins series, 2–1 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[4]
Conference semifinals
[edit]Eastern Conference semifinals
[edit](1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) New York Knicks
[edit]April 16
|
| New York Knicks 90, Philadelphia 76ers 130 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–28, 26–33, 22–28, 22–41 | ||
| Pts: Ray Williams 24 Rebs: Bob McAdoo 13 Asts: Bob McAdoo 6 |
Pts: Steve Mix 19 Rebs: Caldwell Jones 16 Asts: Steve Mix 7 | |
| Philadelphia leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 18
|
| New York Knicks 100, Philadelphia 76ers 119 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–26, 24–36, 18–26, 30–31 | ||
| Pts: Ray Williams 24 Rebs: three players 6 each Asts: Bob McAdoo 6 |
Pts: Julius Erving 22 Rebs: Caldwell Jones 11 Asts: Darryl Dawkins 6 | |
| Philadelphia leads series, 2–0 | ||
April 20
|
| Philadelphia 76ers 137, New York Knicks 126 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 37–30, 35–35, 31–28, 34–33 | ||
| Pts: McGinnis, Free 29 each Rebs: Julius Erving 10 Asts: Collins, Erving 7 each |
Pts: Bob McAdoo 29 Rebs: Lonnie Shelton 14 Asts: Butch Beard 8 | |
| Philadelphia leads series, 3–0 | ||
April 23
|
| Philadelphia 76ers 112, New York Knicks 107 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–30, 32–29, 26–24, 29–24 | ||
| Pts: Doug Collins 24 Rebs: Caldwell Jones 14 Asts: Collins, Erving 4 each |
Pts: Bob McAdoo 24 Rebs: Bob McAdoo 14 Asts: McAdoo, Williams 4 each | |
| Philadelphia wins series, 4–0 | ||
This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning four of the first six meetings.
| Philadelphia leads 4–2 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Washington Bullets
[edit]April 16
|
| Washington Bullets 103, San Antonio Spurs 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–25, 20–23, 27–34, 27–32 | ||
| Pts: Elvin Hayes 26 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 15 Asts: Elvin Hayes 6 |
Pts: George Gervin 35 Rebs: Larry Kenon 9 Asts: Gervin, Kenon 5 each | |
| San Antonio leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 18
|
| Washington Bullets 121, San Antonio Spurs 117 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 33–27, 32–28, 35–28, 21–34 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Grevey 31 Rebs: Wes Unseld 13 Asts: Larry Wright 8 |
Pts: George Gervin 46 Rebs: Larry Kenon 8 Asts: Larry Kenon 6 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 21
|
| San Antonio Spurs 105, Washington Bullets 118 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–38, 24–25, 24–30, 31–25 | ||
| Pts: George Gervin 33 Rebs: Larry Kenon 9 Asts: Larry Kenon 4 |
Pts: Bob Dandridge 28 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 12 Asts: Wes Unseld 8 | |
| Washington leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 23
|
| San Antonio Spurs 95, Washington Bullets 98 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–18, 23–25, 24–27, 24–28 | ||
| Pts: George Gervin 35 Rebs: Billy Paultz 8 Asts: Mike Gale 7 |
Pts: Bob Dandridge 24 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 13 Asts: Bob Dandridge 8 | |
| Washington leads series, 3–1 | ||
April 25
|
| Washington Bullets 105, San Antonio Spurs 116 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–33, 28–24, 19–26, 31–33 | ||
| Pts: Charles Johnson 21 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 13 Asts: Wes Unseld 6 |
Pts: George Gervin 27 Rebs: Larry Kenon 14 Asts: Louie Dampier 6 | |
| Washington leads series, 3–2 | ||
April 28
|
| San Antonio Spurs 100, Washington Bullets 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–25, 23–33, 22–19, 26–26 | ||
| Pts: Mark Olberding 24 Rebs: Green, Paultz 9 each Asts: Mike Gale 9 |
Pts: Elvin Hayes 25 Rebs: Wes Unseld 16 Asts: Wes Unseld 5 | |
| Washington wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[6]
Western Conference semifinals
[edit](1) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (4) Seattle SuperSonics
[edit]April 18
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 104, Portland Trail Blazers 95 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–34, 23–19, 33–22, 25–20 | ||
| Pts: Marvin Webster 24 Rebs: Jack Sikma 11 Asts: Dennis Johnson 4 |
Pts: Johnny Davis 20 Rebs: Bill Walton 16 Asts: Lionel Hollins 9 | |
| Seattle leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 21
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 93, Portland Trail Blazers 96 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–20, 19–20, 22–30, 22–26 | ||
| Pts: Gus Williams 31 Rebs: Marvin Webster 15 Asts: Marvin Webster 7 |
Pts: Maurice Lucas 19 Rebs: Maurice Lucas 14 Asts: Lionel Hollins 5 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
- Bill Walton's final game in a Portland Trail Blazer uniform.
April 23
|
| Portland Trail Blazers 84, Seattle SuperSonics 99 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–20, 18–24, 19–27, 22–28 | ||
| Pts: Tom Owens 24 Rebs: Owens, Lucas 9 each Asts: Dave Twardzik 5 |
Pts: J. Johnson, Brown 18 each Rebs: Marvin Webster 23 Asts: Fred Brown 4 | |
| Seattle leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 26
|
| Portland Trail Blazers 98, Seattle SuperSonics 100 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–28, 29–17, 24–28, 17–27 | ||
| Pts: Lionel Hollins 35 Rebs: Maurice Lucas 16 Asts: Tom Owens 8 |
Pts: Jack Sikma 28 Rebs: Jack Sikma 10 Asts: Dennis Johnson 8 | |
| Seattle leads series, 3–1 | ||
April 30
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 89, Portland Trail Blazers 113 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 13–25, 21–27, 23–27, 32–34 | ||
| Pts: Marvin Webster 16 Rebs: Paul Silas 10 Asts: Gus Williams 4 |
Pts: Tom Owens 31 Rebs: Maurice Lucas 13 Asts: Davis, Owens 6 each | |
| Seattle leads series, 3–2 | ||
May 1
|
| Portland Trail Blazers 94, Seattle SuperSonics 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–26, 27–29, 20–20, 25–30 | ||
| Pts: Johnny Davis 23 Rebs: Maurice Lucas 12 Asts: Lionel Hollins 9 |
Pts: Dennis Johnson 20 Rebs: Marvin Webster 11 Asts: Gus Williams 7 | |
| Seattle wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[7]
(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
[edit]April 18
|
| Milwaukee Bucks 103, Denver Nuggets 119 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–34, 34–29, 20–28, 21–28 | ||
| Pts: Alex English 26 Rebs: Dave Meyers 15 Asts: Brian Winters 11 |
Pts: David Thompson 27 Rebs: Dan Issel 12 Asts: David Thompson 6 | |
| Denver leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 21
|
| Milwaukee Bucks 111, Denver Nuggets 127 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 35–32, 18–31, 23–39, 35–25 | ||
| Pts: Marques Johnson 22 Rebs: Johnson, Meyers 5 each Asts: Lloyd Walton 8 |
Pts: Dan Issel 22 Rebs: Dan Issel 14 Asts: Issel, Calvin 6 each | |
| Denver leads series, 2–0 | ||
April 23
|
| Denver Nuggets 112, Milwaukee Bucks 143 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–26, 28–30, 26–40, 36–47 | ||
| Pts: three players 16 each Rebs: Anthony Roberts 8 Asts: David Thompson 5 |
Pts: Marques Johnson 35 Rebs: Marques Johnson 10 Asts: Lloyd Walton 11 | |
| Denver leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 25
|
| Denver Nuggets 118, Milwaukee Bucks 104 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–22, 30–17, 33–22, 28–43 | ||
| Pts: David Thompson 34 Rebs: Dan Issel 14 Asts: Wilkerson, Simpson 5 each |
Pts: Johnson, Winters 14 each Rebs: Marques Johnson 7 Asts: Brian Winters 6 | |
| Denver leads series, 3–1 | ||
April 28
|
| Milwaukee Bucks 117, Denver Nuggets 112 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–28, 19–26, 28–32, 39–26 | ||
| Pts: Marques Johnson 34 Rebs: Marques Johnson 17 Asts: Winters, Buckner 9 each |
Pts: Bobby Jones 25 Rebs: Dan Issel 15 Asts: Bob Wilkerson 8 | |
| Denver leads series, 3–2 | ||
April 30
|
| Denver Nuggets 91, Milwaukee Bucks 119 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–33, 21–29, 20–30, 24–27 | ||
| Pts: David Thompson 28 Rebs: Bobby Jones 10 Asts: Bob Wilkerson 6 |
Pts: Alex English 21 Rebs: Marques Johnson 17 Asts: Marques Johnson 9 | |
| Series tied, 3–3 | ||
May 3
|
| Milwaukee Bucks 110, Denver Nuggets 116 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–34, 30–32, 25–29, 29–21 | ||
| Pts: Brian Winters 27 Rebs: Marques Johnson 16 Asts: Quinn Buckner 10 |
Pts: David Thompson 37 Rebs: Bob Wilkerson 12 Asts: David Thompson 6 | |
| Denver wins series, 4–3 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[8]
Conference finals
[edit]Eastern Conference finals
[edit](1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (3) Washington Bullets
[edit]April 30
|
| Washington Bullets 122, Philadelphia 76ers 117 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–19, 21–28, 30–34, 32–28, Overtime: 13–8 | ||
| Pts: Elvin Hayes 28 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 18 Asts: Tom Henderson 9 |
Pts: Julius Erving 25 Rebs: George McGinnis 15 Asts: three players 5 each | |
| Washington leads series, 1–0 | ||
- After a jump ball with three seconds left, Doug Collins hits the game-tying shot at the buzzer to send it to OT.
- Wes Unseld is injured and misses the next three games of the series.
May 3
|
| Washington Bullets 104, Philadelphia 76ers 110 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–28, 28–24, 22–32, 28–26 | ||
| Pts: Elvin Hayes 26 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 15 Asts: Wright, Henderson 8 each |
Pts: Doug Collins 28 Rebs: Erving, Dawkins 11 each Asts: Henry Bibby 9 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
May 5
|
| Philadelphia 76ers 108, Washington Bullets 123 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–28, 19–34, 36–30, 27–31 | ||
| Pts: George McGinnis 16 Rebs: Julius Erving 10 Asts: Henry Bibby 5 |
Pts: Bob Dandridge 30 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 12 Asts: Bob Dandridge 7 | |
| Washington leads series, 2–1 | ||
May 7
|
| Philadelphia 76ers 105, Washington Bullets 121 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–23, 20–31, 26–27, 31–40 | ||
| Pts: Julius Erving 24 Rebs: Caldwell Jones 13 Asts: World B. Free 6 |
Pts: Elvin Hayes 35 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 19 Asts: four players 6 each | |
| Washington leads series, 3–1 | ||
- Wes Unseld returns to the lineup.
May 10
|
| Washington Bullets 94, Philadelphia 76ers 107 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 12–23, 29–29, 21–30, 32–25 | ||
| Pts: Larry Wright 18 Rebs: Hayes, Unseld 16 each Asts: Wes Unseld 5 |
Pts: Collins, Erving 24 each Rebs: Caldwell Jones 15 Asts: Henry Bibby 10 | |
| Washington leads series, 3–2 | ||
May 12
|
| Philadelphia 76ers 99, Washington Bullets 101 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–24, 23–27, 26–33, 23–17 | ||
| Pts: Doug Collins 33 Rebs: Erving, McGinnis 8 each Asts: Henry Bibby 5 |
Pts: Bob Dandridge 28 Rebs: Wes Unseld 15 Asts: Tom Henderson 6 | |
| Washington wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bullets winning the first meeting while in Baltimore.
| Baltimore/Washington leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
Western Conference finals
[edit](2) Denver Nuggets vs. (4) Seattle SuperSonics
[edit]May 5
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 107, Denver Nuggets 116 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–30, 23–27, 27–23, 30–36 | ||
| Pts: Marvin Webster 28 Rebs: Marvin Webster 16 Asts: Gus Williams 8 |
Pts: Dan Issel 25 Rebs: Issel, Hillman 11 each Asts: Bob Wilkerson 10 | |
| Denver leads series, 1–0 | ||
May 7
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 121, Denver Nuggets 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–38, 31–18, 22–25, 38–30 | ||
| Pts: Fred Brown 26 Rebs: Paul Silas 12 Asts: Fred Brown 6 |
Pts: Dan Issel 29 Rebs: Dan Issel 14 Asts: Ralph Simpson 7 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
May 10
|
| Denver Nuggets 91, Seattle SuperSonics 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–30, 20–31, 24–16, 17–28 | ||
| Pts: David Thompson 21 Rebs: Anthony Roberts 8 Asts: Jones, Webster 3 each |
Pts: John Johnson 20 Rebs: Marvin Webster 16 Asts: D. Johnson, Webster 3 each | |
| Seattle leads series, 2–1 | ||
May 12
|
| Denver Nuggets 94, Seattle SuperSonics 100 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–33, 31–17, 18–23, 18–27 | ||
| Pts: Dan Issel 27 Rebs: Darnell Hillman 11 Asts: Bob Wilkerson 8 |
Pts: Dennis Johnson 31 Rebs: Paul Silas 14 Asts: John Johnson 7 | |
| Seattle leads series, 3–1 | ||
May 14
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 114, Denver Nuggets 123 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–35, 20–26, 39–27, 31–35 | ||
| Pts: Gus Williams 31 Rebs: Marvin Webster 12 Asts: Williams, J. Johnson 6 each |
Pts: David Thompson 35 Rebs: Bobby Jones 11 Asts: Bob Wilkerson 10 | |
| Seattle leads series, 3–2 | ||
May 17
|
| Denver Nuggets 108, Seattle SuperSonics 123 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–39, 28–23, 18–31, 36–30 | ||
| Pts: David Thompson 21 Rebs: Anthony Roberts 16 Asts: Bob Wilkerson 8 |
Pts: Fred Brown 26 Rebs: Paul Silas 13 Asts: Dennis Johnson 7 | |
| Seattle wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[10]
NBA Finals: (W4) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (E3) Washington Bullets
[edit]May 21
|
| Washington Bullets 102, Seattle SuperSonics 106 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–25, 27–24, 26–24, 18–33 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Grevey 27 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 9 Asts: Tom Henderson 7 |
Pts: Fred Brown 30 Rebs: Marvin Webster 14 Asts: Dennis Johnson 5 | |
| Seattle leads series, 1–0 | ||
- "Downtown" Freddie Brown scores 16 of his points in the 4th quarter to lead the Sonics back from a 19-point deficit.
May 25
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 98, Washington Bullets 106 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–29, 36–27, 19–24, 27–26 | ||
| Pts: Gus Williams 24 Rebs: Marvin Webster 12 Asts: three players 4 each |
Pts: Bob Dandridge 34 Rebs: Wes Unseld 15 Asts: Henderson, Unseld 5 each | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
May 28
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 93, Washington Bullets 92 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–24, 25–23, 20–20, 24–25 | ||
| Pts: Webster, Williams 20 each Rebs: Paul Silas 14 Asts: five players 2 each |
Pts: Elvin Hayes 29 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 20 Asts: Bob Dandridge 6 | |
| Seattle leads series, 2–1 | ||
May 30
|
| Washington Bullets 120, Seattle SuperSonics 116 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–25, 25–31, 30–31, 28–19, Overtime: 14–10 | ||
| Pts: Bob Dandridge 23 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 13 Asts: Tom Henderson 11 |
Pts: Dennis Johnson 33 Rebs: Marvin Webster 15 Asts: Paul Silas 6 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
June 2
|
| Washington Bullets 94, Seattle SuperSonics 98 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–23, 17–29, 26–24, 27–22 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Grevey 22 Rebs: Bob Dandridge 10 Asts: Tom Henderson 6 |
Pts: Fred Brown 26 Rebs: Marvin Webster 13 Asts: John Johnson 7 | |
| Seattle leads series, 3–2 | ||
June 4
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 82, Washington Bullets 117 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–19, 14–28, 26–37, 21–33 | ||
| Pts: Fred Brown 17 Rebs: Marvin Webster 12 Asts: Gus Williams 6 |
Pts: Elvin Hayes 21 Rebs: Elvin Hayes 15 Asts: Greg Ballard 6 | |
| Series tied, 3–3 | ||
June 7
|
| Washington Bullets 105, Seattle SuperSonics 99 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–28, 22–17, 26–21, 26–33 | ||
| Pts: Dandridge, C. Johnson 19 each Rebs: Wes Unseld 9 Asts: Wes Unseld 6 |
Pts: Marvin Webster 27 Rebs: Marvin Webster 19 Asts: Gus Williams 5 | |
| Washington wins series, 4–3 | ||
- This was the last time until 2016 that a road team defeated the home team in Game 7 of the Finals.
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Cleveland Cavaliers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Milwaukee Bucks versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — San Antonio Spurs versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Oklahoma City Thunder versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Philadelphia 76ers versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Oklahoma City Thunder versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
External links
[edit]- https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1978.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1978 NBA Playoffs page
1978 NBA playoffs
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background
Regular Season Context
The 1977–78 NBA regular season consisted of an 82-game schedule for each of the league's 22 teams, divided into Eastern and Western Conferences with two divisions apiece: the Atlantic and Central in the East, and the Midwest and Pacific in the West.[5] This structure emphasized divisional play while fostering conference-wide competition, culminating in a 12-team playoff field comprising the top six teams from each conference based on winning percentage, with division winners guaranteed the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds regardless of comparative records.[6] The defending champion Portland Trail Blazers, who had won the 1977 NBA Finals, posted the league's best regular-season record at 58–24, securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference as Pacific Division winners.[7] However, the team's performance was undermined by injuries, particularly chronic foot problems suffered by star center Bill Walton, who played only 58 games and missed significant time after the Blazers started 50–10.[8] These injuries, which required Walton to receive painkillers and ultimately led to disputes over medical treatment, foreshadowed his early retirement from the sport just a few years later. League-wide, the season highlighted the prominence of dominant power forwards, exemplified by Elvin Hayes of the Washington Bullets, whose scoring and rebounding prowess anchored his team's rise to contention.[9] Competitive balance was evident across both conferences, as non-division-winning teams like the Bullets demonstrated parity by advancing deep into the postseason.[8] Top performers included the Eastern Conference's Philadelphia 76ers (55–27, No. 1 seed), San Antonio Spurs (52–30, No. 2 seed), and Washington Bullets (44–38, No. 3 seed), alongside the Western Conference's Portland Trail Blazers (58–24, No. 1 seed), Denver Nuggets (48–34, No. 2 seed), and Phoenix Suns (49–33, No. 3 seed).[7] The playoff format granted byes to the top two seeds in the first round, with best-of-three matchups between the Nos. 3–6 and 4–5 seeds.[10]Participating Teams and Seeding
The 1978 NBA playoffs featured the top six teams from each conference, determined solely by regular season win-loss records within their respective conferences, with no cross-conference qualification. This format ensured that the Eastern and Western Conferences each sent six teams to the postseason, seeded from 1 to 6 based on overall conference performance, where the higher seeds earned home-court advantage in initial matchups. Tiebreakers for teams with identical records prioritized head-to-head results, followed by division records if necessary.[5] In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers earned the No. 1 seed with a 55–27 record, securing the top spot through their strong Atlantic Division performance. The San Antonio Spurs took the No. 2 seed at 52–30, leading the Central Division. The Washington Bullets followed as the No. 3 seed with a 44–38 mark, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, both at 43–39, filled seeds 4 and 5 respectively; the Cavaliers received the higher seeding after winning the head-to-head series 3–1 against the Knicks. The Atlanta Hawks rounded out the field as the No. 6 seed with a 41–41 record. Notable rosters included the Bullets' frontcourt duo of Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes, who anchored the team's playoff push.[5][11][12] The Western Conference was topped by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 1 seed with an impressive 58–24 record, despite late-season injury concerns for center Bill Walton that affected their momentum but not their overall standing. The Denver Nuggets secured No. 2 at 48–34, followed by the Phoenix Suns at No. 3 with 49–33. The Seattle SuperSonics (47–35), Los Angeles Lakers (45–37), and Milwaukee Bucks (44–38) claimed seeds 4 through 6, with no ties requiring tiebreakers in this conference. Key contributors included guard Dennis Johnson for the SuperSonics, whose defensive prowess helped elevate their seeding.[5][13]First Round
Washington Bullets vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Washington Bullets, seeded third in the Eastern Conference, met the sixth-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the best-of-three first round of the 1978 NBA playoffs, a matchup that highlighted the Bullets' balanced attack against the Hawks' up-tempo style. Under coach Dick Motta, the Bullets swept the series 2–0, advancing to the conference semifinals with strong interior play and perimeter defense that limited Atlanta's transition opportunities. The series, played in a 1–1–1 format with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3, featured low-scoring affairs, with the Bullets outscoring the Hawks by an average of 6.5 points per game.[14] Game 1 took place on April 12, 1978, at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, where the Bullets secured a 103–94 victory. The Hawks, led by forward John Drew's 25 points, kept the game close through three quarters but faltered in the fourth as Washington's rebounding edge, spearheaded by Wes Unseld's 15 boards, proved decisive. Elvin Hayes contributed significantly on both ends for the Bullets, helping establish an early series lead with efficient scoring inside. The win set the tone for Washington's controlled pace, holding Atlanta below 100 points.[14] In Game 2 on April 14 at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, the series concluded in dramatic fashion as the Bullets rallied to win 107–103 in overtime. Tied at 95 after regulation, Washington outscored the Hawks 12–8 in the extra period, with Unseld's clutch rebounding (15 total) and key possessions sealing the sweep. Kevin Grevey erupted for a playoff-high 41 points, while Elvin Hayes added 18 points and 11 rebounds; for Atlanta, John Drew scored 27 points in a valiant effort, but the team could not overcome the Bullets' defensive intensity.[15] Throughout the series, the Bullets averaged 105 points per game to the Hawks' 98.5, underscoring their ability to disrupt Atlanta's fast break and force a half-court game. This defensive focus, combined with rebounding dominance (Unseld averaged 15 rebounds per game), propelled Washington forward as underdogs in a championship run.[14]Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
The Eastern Conference first-round series pitted the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers against the fifth-seeded New York Knicks in a best-of-three matchup, with the higher-seeded Cavaliers holding home-court advantage for Game 1 and a potential Game 3. Despite their underdog status from the seeding, the Knicks swept the series 2–0, showcasing superior offensive execution and advancing to the conference semifinals. The Knicks averaged 120.5 points per game across the two contests, outpacing the Cavaliers' 110.5 points per game, while maintaining a more efficient effective field goal percentage of .555 compared to Cleveland's .455.[16] Game 1 took place on April 12, 1978, at Richfield Coliseum in Ohio, where the Knicks routed the Cavaliers 132–114 behind Bob McAdoo's dominant performance of 41 points.[17] McAdoo, acquired by New York earlier in the season, overwhelmed Cleveland's frontcourt, while Earl Monroe and Spencer Haywood added 16 points apiece to support the Knicks' balanced attack.[18] For the Cavaliers, Campy Russell led with 23 points and 5 assists, and Foots Walker contributed 16 points and 6 assists, but the team struggled with 15.9% turnover rate and could not match New York's fast-break opportunities.[17] The Knicks' bench provided depth, with contributions from players like Lonnie Shelton (14 points), helping to extend their lead in the second half.[18] In Game 2 on April 14, 1978, at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks held off a resilient Cavaliers squad for a 109–107 victory to clinch the series. Russell paced Cleveland with a playoff-high 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Austin Carr added 20 points, keeping the game tight until the final minutes.[19] The Knicks countered with 27 points each from McAdoo (who also grabbed 12 rebounds) and Haywood, plus Ray Williams' 10 assists to facilitate transition plays.[19] New York's aggressive defense pressured Cleveland's guards throughout, forcing a 13.6% turnover rate for the Cavaliers in the series, while the Knicks capitalized on loose-ball situations and fast breaks to secure the narrow win.[16][20] The Knicks' bench depth proved crucial again, with multiple reserves stepping up to maintain energy in a physical, close contest.[20]Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Phoenix Suns, seeded third in the Western Conference with a 49-33 regular season record, faced the sixth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the best-of-three first-round series of the 1978 NBA playoffs. Despite the Suns' home-court advantage in Game 1, the Bucks executed a gritty sweep, winning 2–0 to advance, showcasing superior rebounding and clutch performances that neutralized Phoenix's offensive threats.[21][22] Game 1 took place on April 11, 1978, at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, where the Bucks rallied from a 12-point deficit to secure a 111–103 victory. Brian Winters led Milwaukee with 31 points, while Marques Johnson contributed 24 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, dominating the interior. For the Suns, Walter Davis topped the scoring with 31 points, but the team struggled with rebounding, managing only 41 total boards compared to Milwaukee's 60. Paul Westphal added 20 points and 9 assists but could not overcome the Bucks' physical edge.[23][24] In Game 2 on April 14, 1978, at MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, the Bucks withstood a furious late Suns rally to clinch the series with a 94–90 win. Marques Johnson erupted for 33 points and 12 rebounds, setting a career high and controlling the glass alongside Dave Meyers' 14 rebounds. Paul Westphal led Phoenix with 32 points and 10 assists in a valiant effort, but the Suns fell short despite closing the gap in the fourth quarter. Junior Bridgeman provided support off the bench for Milwaukee, though his scoring was limited in the series.[25][24] Milwaukee's rebounding dominance, spearheaded by Johnson's 14.0 rebounds per game average in the series, proved decisive, as the Bucks outrebounded Phoenix in both contests and limited second-chance opportunities. Overall series statistics highlighted Milwaukee's efficiency, averaging 102.5 points per game to the Suns' 96.5, with a superior offensive rating of 103.0 compared to Phoenix's 97.0. This upset underscored the Bucks' resilience under coach Don Nelson, setting the stage for their deeper playoff run.[21]Seattle SuperSonics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Seattle SuperSonics entered the 1978 NBA playoffs as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 47–35 regular-season record, earning home-court advantage over the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who finished 45–37. The best-of-three first-round series pitted two Pacific Division rivals against each other, with the SuperSonics relying on their balanced attack and defensive intensity to advance.[26] Seattle ultimately prevailed 2–1, setting the stage for deeper playoff runs while highlighting their ability to neutralize the Lakers' star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar inside.[26] Game 1 took place on April 12, 1978, at the Seattle Center Coliseum, where the SuperSonics secured a 102–90 victory.[27] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but Seattle's defense limited Los Angeles to 40% shooting from the field.[27] Gus Williams paced the SuperSonics with 23 points, while Marvin Webster added 19 points and 14 rebounds to help establish an early series lead.[27] The Lakers responded in Game 2 on April 14 at The Forum in Los Angeles, edging out a 105–99 win to force a decisive third game.[28] Jamaal Wilkes contributed 26 points for the victors, and Abdul-Jabbar recorded a double-double with 24 points and 18 rebounds, exploiting Seattle's frontcourt fatigue.[28] Dennis Johnson led the SuperSonics with 21 points, but turnovers and poor free-throw shooting (18–28) proved costly in the narrow defeat.[28] In the series-clinching Game 3 on April 16 at the Seattle Center Coliseum, the SuperSonics defeated the Lakers 111–102 to advance.[29] Jack Sikma delivered 24 points and 9 rebounds for Seattle, anchoring a defensive effort that forced 18 Lakers turnovers.[29] Abdul-Jabbar finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds but shot just 11-of-24 from the field amid constant double-teams from Webster and Sikma.[29] The SuperSonics' team defense was pivotal, holding the Lakers to 99.0 points per game while averaging 104.0 themselves, effectively stifling Los Angeles' inside game despite Abdul-Jabbar's 27.0 points per game average.[26] Seattle's frontcourt duo of Webster (14.0 rebounds per game) and Sikma (7.3 rebounds per game) disrupted the Lakers' rebounding edge, contributing to a series effective field-goal percentage advantage of .478 to .452.[26]Conference Semifinals
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
The Philadelphia 76ers, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, faced the New York Knicks in the 1978 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, a best-of-seven series that the 76ers dominated with a 4–0 sweep.[30] The Knicks had advanced from the first round by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout the series, the 76ers showcased their superior depth and athleticism, outscoring the Knicks by an average of 18.8 points per game, with Philadelphia averaging 124.5 points while holding New York to 105.8.[30] No significant injuries impacted either team during the matchup.[31] The series opened on April 16 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, where the 76ers routed the Knicks 130–90 in Game 1, establishing early control with balanced scoring from their starters.[32] Doug Collins led Philadelphia with 18 points, while Julius Erving contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds, highlighting the team's rebounding edge.[32] Game 2 on April 18 at the same venue saw the 76ers extend their lead to 119–100, again leveraging their fast-break style to pull away in the second half.[33] Erving tallied 22 points in that contest, as the Knicks struggled to contain Philadelphia's transition attack.[33] Shifting to Madison Square Garden, Game 3 on April 20 turned into a high-scoring affair, with the 76ers prevailing 137–126 despite the home crowd's energy.[34] Erving erupted for 28 points and 10 rebounds, while George McGinnis added 29 points and 9 rebounds, underscoring Philadelphia's interior presence.[34] The sweep was completed in Game 4 on April 23, a tighter 112–107 victory where the 76ers closed strong to advance.[35] Collins paced the winners with 24 points, and Erving added 23 points and 9 rebounds, sealing the series triumph.[35] Philadelphia's fast-break offense repeatedly overwhelmed the Knicks' slower defensive schemes, creating easy transition opportunities that New York could not match.[31] McGinnis proved crucial on the boards, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game across the four contests, helping the 76ers control second-chance points and maintain possession dominance.[30] This decisive victory propelled Philadelphia into the Eastern Conference Finals, affirming their status as a championship contender.[30]San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Bullets
The 1978 Eastern Conference Semifinals pitted the fifth-seeded San Antonio Spurs, who had earned the top spot in the Midwest Division with a 52-30 regular-season record, against the first-seeded Washington Bullets, who finished second in the Atlantic Division at 44-38 and had advanced by sweeping the Atlanta Hawks 2-0 in the first round.[1] This best-of-seven series showcased the Spurs' high-powered offense led by George Gervin against the Bullets' resilient frontcourt anchored by Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. After splitting the first two games in San Antonio, the Bullets rallied to claim the series 4-2, outscoring San Antonio 648-647 overall and advancing to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference finals.[36] The series opened on April 16, 1978, at HemisFair Arena in San Antonio, where the Spurs took a 114-103 victory in Game 1 behind Gervin's 35 points.[37] Game 2 on April 18 remained close, with Gervin erupting for a playoff-career-high 46 points, but the Bullets pulled out a 121-117 upset win to even the series at 1-1. Shifting to the Capital Centre in Washington for Game 3 on April 21, the Bullets seized momentum with a 118-105 rout, followed by a narrow 98-95 triumph in Game 4 on April 23 to build a 3-1 lead; Hayes dominated the boards with 13 rebounds in the closeout attempt.[36] The Spurs responded in Game 5 on April 25 back in San Antonio, winning 116-105 to extend the series, as Gervin added 27 points.| Game | Date | Location | Score (Bullets-Spurs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 16 | San Antonio | 103-114 |
| 2 | Apr 18 | San Antonio | 121-117 |
| 3 | Apr 21 | Washington | 118-105 |
| 4 | Apr 23 | Washington | 98-95 |
| 5 | Apr 25 | San Antonio | 105-116 |
| 6 | Apr 28 | Washington | 103-100 |
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Seattle SuperSonics
The 1978 Western Conference Semifinals featured a best-of-seven matchup between the defending champion Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle SuperSonics, with the series shifting to Seattle after the first two games in Portland. The SuperSonics, who had defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, capitalized on Portland's vulnerabilities to pull off an upset victory in six games, winning 4–2. This series marked the end of the Blazers' reign as NBA champions, as they struggled without their star center for most of the contest.[40][41] Bill Walton, the 1977 Finals MVP and the architect of Portland's previous title run, had already missed the final 28 games of the regular season due to chronic foot injuries but returned for the playoffs. He appeared in only the first two games of this series, logging a total of 49 minutes while averaging 13.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. During Game 2 on April 21, Walton suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle, which sidelined him for the remainder of the postseason and severely hampered the Blazers' interior presence. Without Walton, Portland's defense and rebounding suffered, allowing Seattle to control the paint through forwards Marvin Webster (16.5 points, 12.2 rebounds per game) and power forward Lonnie Shelton.[42][43] The series opened with Seattle taking Game 1 on April 18 at Portland's Memorial Coliseum, 104–95, behind Gus Williams' 25 points and strong team defense that limited the Blazers to 39.5% shooting. Portland responded in Game 2 with a narrow 96–93 win, fueled by Maurice Lucas' 20 points and 15 rebounds, but Walton's injury overshadowed the victory. With Walton absent, Seattle dominated Game 3 on April 23 at the Seattle Center Coliseum, winning 99–84 as Webster grabbed 23 rebounds and the Sonics forced 20 Portland turnovers. Game 4 was a thriller, with Seattle edging out a 100–98 victory on Jack Sikma's late free throws, despite Lionel Hollins' 35 points for the Blazers. Portland avoided elimination in Game 5 on April 30, routing Seattle 113–89 at home with balanced scoring from Hollins (24 points) and Bob Gross (22 points). However, the Sonics closed out the series in Game 6 on May 1, defeating Portland 105–94 behind Williams' 28 points to advance to the conference finals.[44][45] Seattle's backcourt duo of Dennis Johnson and Williams provided stifling perimeter defense, with Johnson averaging 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while often tasked with containing Portland's key forwards like Lucas, who led the Blazers with 17.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game but shot just 41.7% from the field under pressure. The SuperSonics outscored the Blazers by a slim margin overall, averaging 98.3 points per game to Portland's 96.7, in a low-possession series (96.6 pace) reflective of the era's defensive emphasis. This upset highlighted Seattle's depth and resilience, propelling them deeper into the playoffs than the injury-plagued champions.[40][43]Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The 1978 Western Conference Semifinals featured a best-of-seven matchup between the second-seeded Denver Nuggets and the sixth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, with the Nuggets holding home-court advantage after finishing the regular season with a 48-34 record compared to the Bucks' 44-38.[46] The series, which began on April 18, went the full seven games, showcasing high-scoring affairs and defensive battles, ultimately culminating in a 4–3 victory for Denver that advanced them to the conference finals.[46] The Nuggets, led by high-flying guard David Thompson, relied on their altitude advantage at McNichols Sports Arena to secure crucial home wins, while the Bucks, fresh off a first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns, aimed to extend their playoff run behind forward Marques Johnson.[46] The series schedule and results were as follows:| Game | Date | Location | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 18 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | Milwaukee 103, Denver 119 | Nuggets |
| 2 | April 21 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | Milwaukee 111, Denver 127 | Nuggets |
| 3 | April 23 | MECCA Arena (Milwaukee) | Denver 112, Milwaukee 143 | Bucks |
| 4 | April 25 | MECCA Arena (Milwaukee) | Denver 118, Milwaukee 104 | Nuggets |
| 5 | April 28 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | Milwaukee 117, Denver 112 | Bucks |
| 6 | April 30 | MECCA Arena (Milwaukee) | Denver 91, Milwaukee 119 | Bucks |
| 7 | May 3 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | Milwaukee 110, Denver 116 | Nuggets |
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference Finals: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Bullets
The Washington Bullets faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1978 Eastern Conference Finals, a best-of-seven series pitting two teams that had each dispatched the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, respectively, in the conference semifinals.[30] The Bullets, seeded third in the East with a 44-38 regular-season record, relied on their balanced attack led by Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld, while the top-seeded 76ers (55-27) boasted stars like Julius Erving and Doug Collins but showed signs of wear from a grueling semifinal series against the physical Knicks.[11][50] The series highlighted the Bullets' depth and resilience, as they overcame an early injury to Unseld to win 4 games to 2, earning their second trip to the NBA Finals.[51] The series opened on April 30 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, where the Bullets edged the 76ers 122-117 in overtime after a dramatic finish. With the score tied late in regulation, Collins drained a clutch jumper at the buzzer to force the extra period, but the Bullets pulled ahead behind Hayes' 28 points and 18 rebounds.[52] Unseld, who contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in 38 minutes, suffered a severe ankle injury during the game while scrambling for a loose ball, sidelining him for the next three contests.[53] Without their veteran center, the Bullets leaned heavily on Hayes, who stepped up with dominant outings, including 35 points and 19 rebounds in Game 4's 121-105 rout on May 7 at Capital Centre.[54] The 76ers, meanwhile, managed a Game 2 victory 110-104 on May 3 but struggled with frontcourt fatigue, as their big men—Erving, George McGinnis, and Caldwell Jones—logged heavy minutes in a physically demanding series.[55][56] Unseld's absence tested the Bullets' resolve, but Hayes rose to the occasion, averaging 23.0 points and 15.7 rebounds across the six games, with his production peaking during the three games without his frontcourt partner.[51] The Bullets also benefited from strong contributions from Bob Dandridge (30 points in Game 3's 123-108 win on May 5) and Phil Chenier, maintaining offensive momentum.[57] The 76ers fought back to win Game 5 107-94 on May 10 at home, forcing a decisive Game 6, but their efforts were hampered by McGinnis playing through injury and overall team exhaustion from the playoffs' toll.[58][56] In the clinching Game 6 on May 12 at Capital Centre, Unseld returned to play 42 minutes, grabbing 15 rebounds and delivering a game-winning tip-in with 12 seconds left for a 101-99 victory.[59][53] Collins led Philadelphia with 33 points, but Erving fouled out early in the second half, contributing to a decisive Bullets run.[53] Overall, the Bullets outscored the 76ers 110.8 to 107.7 points per game, showcasing superior rebounding (49.5 to 48.8 per game) in a tightly contested matchup.[51] The victory marked a breakthrough for Washington, overcoming the 76ers' star power through collective effort and timely adjustments.[53]| Game | Date | Location | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 30 | Philadelphia | Bullets 122–117 (OT) | Collins buzzer-beater forces OT; Unseld injures ankle. |
| 2 | May 3 | Philadelphia | 76ers 110–104 | Bullets without Unseld. |
| 3 | May 5 | Washington | Bullets 123–108 | Dandridge's 30 points. |
| 4 | May 7 | Washington | Bullets 121–105 | Hayes' 35 points, 19 rebounds. |
| 5 | May 10 | Philadelphia | 76ers 107–94 | Unseld returns in 30 minutes. |
| 6 | May 12 | Washington | Bullets 101–99 | Unseld's game-winning tip-in. |
Western Conference Finals: Denver Nuggets vs. Seattle SuperSonics
The 1978 Western Conference Finals pitted the fourth-seeded Seattle SuperSonics against the second-seeded Denver Nuggets in a best-of-seven series, with the SuperSonics advancing to the NBA Finals by defeating the Nuggets 4 games to 2.[60] The series, played from May 5 to May 17, showcased Seattle's balanced attack and defensive intensity against Denver's high-octane offense led by David Thompson and Dan Issel. Both teams had advanced through the conference semifinals, with the Nuggets upsetting the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games and the SuperSonics defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in six.[1] Seattle averaged 111.7 points per game in the series, slightly outpacing Denver's 107.2 points per game, highlighting the Sonics' ability to control the tempo and capitalize on transition opportunities.[60] A pivotal element of Seattle's success was their perimeter defense, particularly guard Dennis Johnson's assignment on Denver's star scorer David Thompson, who was held to 23.8 points per game on inefficient shooting of 43.2 percent from the field (57-of-132 attempts).[60][61] Johnson's harassment limited Thompson's rhythm, forcing him into high-volume, low-efficiency shots compared to his regular-season form.[61] Complementing this was rookie center Jack Sikma's rebounding presence, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game (44 total) to help Seattle outrebound Denver overall and secure second-chance points.[62] Sikma's efforts, including double-digit rebounds in three of the six games, were crucial in maintaining possession against Denver's fast-break style.[62] Key moments defined the series, starting with Denver's home win in Game 1 on May 5 at McNichols Sports Arena (116–107), where Thompson scored 24 points.[63] Seattle responded forcefully in Game 2 on May 7 at the same venue, pulling away for a 121–111 victory behind 29 points from Dennis Johnson and strong bench production.[64] The SuperSonics then took command at home in Seattle Center Coliseum, winning Game 3 on May 10 (105–91) with balanced scoring from Gus Williams (22 points) and Game 4 on May 12 (100–94), extending their lead to 3–1.[65][66] Denver staved off elimination in Game 5 on May 14 at McNichols Sports Arena, with Thompson erupting for 35 points in a 123–114 triumph.[67] However, Seattle closed out the series in Game 6 on May 17 at Seattle Center Coliseum, dominating with a 123–108 win driven by 27 points from Williams and stifling defense that held Denver under 110 points for the first time in the series.[68]| Game | Date | Location | Score (Winner) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | Nuggets 116–107 SuperSonics |
| 2 | May 7 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | SuperSonics 121–111 Nuggets |
| 3 | May 10 | Seattle Center Coliseum (Seattle) | SuperSonics 105–91 Nuggets |
| 4 | May 12 | Seattle Center Coliseum (Seattle) | SuperSonics 100–94 Nuggets |
| 5 | May 14 | McNichols Sports Arena (Denver) | Nuggets 123–114 SuperSonics |
| 6 | May 17 | Seattle Center Coliseum (Seattle) | SuperSonics 123–108 Nuggets |
NBA Finals
Seattle SuperSonics vs. Washington Bullets
The 1978 NBA Finals featured a best-of-seven series between the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics and the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets, played from May 21 to June 7.[3] The series followed the NBA's 2-2-1-1-1 format, with Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 hosted in Seattle at the Seattle Center Coliseum and Games 3, 4, and 6 in Washington at the Capital Centre.[3] The Bullets won the series 4–3 to claim their first NBA championship in franchise history, while the appearance marked the SuperSonics' first trip to the Finals since joining the league in 1967.[69] The SuperSonics had advanced past the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, and the Bullets had upset the Philadelphia 76ers in the East. The matchup pitted the Bullets' physical, rebounding-dominant frontcourt against the SuperSonics' fast-paced, guard-driven offense led by Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams. Washington, bolstered by veterans Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes, overcame a regular-season record hampered by injuries to reach their third Finals of the decade.[69] Unseld, despite longstanding knee issues from prior seasons, provided steady leadership and playmaking to anchor the Bullets' comeback effort.[70] Seattle, coached by Lenny Wilkens, relied on their transition speed but struggled with interior defense against Washington's size. The series began with Seattle taking Game 1 on May 21, 106–102, behind Freddie Brown's 30 points after trailing by 19.[71] Washington responded in Game 2 on May 25, winning 106–98 as Unseld recorded 2 points and 15 rebounds while Bob Dandridge led with 34 points.[72] The SuperSonics stole Game 3 on May 28 in Washington, 93–92, with Johnson blocking seven shots. The Bullets evened it in Game 4 on May 30, 120–116, led by Elvin Hayes's 20 points and 13 rebounds.[73] Seattle pushed ahead 3–2 with a 98–94 victory in Game 5 on June 2 at home. Washington forced Game 7 by dominating Game 6 on June 4, 117–82, holding Seattle to their lowest playoff score. In the decisive Game 7 on June 7, the Bullets prevailed 105–99, with Unseld contributing 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.[74] Wes Unseld earned Finals MVP honors, averaging 9.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while orchestrating Washington's offense and providing veteran poise in the clincher. Unseld's selection was controversial, as he later acknowledged teammate Bob Dandridge's greater impact, particularly with series averages of 20.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.[3][75]Finals Statistical Leaders and Notable Performances
In the 1978 NBA playoffs, Elvin Hayes of the Washington Bullets led all players in scoring with 457 total points, averaging 21.8 points per game across 21 games. Marvin Webster of the Seattle SuperSonics topped the rebounding charts with 289 total rebounds, equating to 13.1 rebounds per game in 22 appearances. Among other key statistical categories, Tom Henderson of the Bullets paced the postseason in assists with 106 total, averaging 5.0 per game over 21 contests, while Gus Williams of the SuperSonics led in steals with 45 total, or 2.0 per game in 22 games. These performances underscored the physical and defensive intensity of the playoffs, where Hayes and Webster exemplified dominance in their respective roles. During the NBA Finals series between the SuperSonics and Bullets, Hayes continued his strong play, averaging 20.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game over seven games, anchoring Washington's interior presence and helping secure the championship. Dennis Johnson emerged as a scoring force for Seattle, contributing 16.6 points per game while providing defensive versatility with his length and anticipation. Wes Unseld, named Finals MVP, delivered efficient all-around contributions, shooting 47.6% from the field en route to averages of 9.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, often setting the tone with his passing and rebounding in pivotal moments. Among the most memorable individual efforts, Hayes showcased his impact in Game 7, scoring 12 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in 30 minutes to help the Bullets claim the title in a 105-99 victory. Jack Sikma provided steady rebounding support for the Sonics across the series, averaging 13.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while contributing 13.7 points, helping Seattle push the contest to seven games despite falling short.| Category | Leader | Team | Total/Average | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Elvin Hayes | WSB | 457 (21.8 PPG) | 21 |
| Rebounds | Marvin Webster | SEA | 289 (13.1 RPG) | 22 |
| Assists | Tom Henderson | WSB | 106 (5.0 APG) | 21 |
| Steals | Gus Williams | SEA | 45 (2.0 SPG) | 22 |