1976 NBA playoffs
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 13–June 6, 1976 |
| Season | 1975–76 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Boston Celtics (13th title) |
| Runner-up | Phoenix Suns |
| Semifinalists | |
The 1976 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the
NBA Finals MVP
.
This is the last postseason that had a 10 team format before the 1977 playoffs expanded to 12 teams.
The Suns earned their first two playoff series victories in franchise history to advance to the NBA Finals; they won their second Western Conference title in 1993, and their third title in 2021.
The sixth-year Cleveland Cavaliers made their first playoff appearance and won their first playoff series. They wouldn't win another playoff series until 1992.
This was the final playoff appearance for the Buffalo Braves franchise in Buffalo until 1992, when they returned as the Los Angeles Clippers.
This would prove the last Conference Finals appearance for the Golden State Warriors until 2015 under the leadership of Steph Curry.
The Philadelphia 76ers made the playoffs for the first time since 1971, starting a 12-season run that included four NBA Finals appearances (1977, 1980, 1982, and 1983 (winning in the latter year)). The Sixers did not miss the playoffs again until 1988.
Despite winning their division with a losing record of 38–44, the Milwaukee Bucks were forced to play in the best of three first round against the Detroit Pistons.
This is also noted to be the most recent NBA Playoffs that did not include a sweep and the last time a team from Texas did not appear in the playoffs (until 2023).
Bracket
| First Round | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | NBA Finals | ||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Boston* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E4 | Philadelphia | 1 | E5 | Buffalo | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| E5 | Buffalo | 2 | Eastern Conference | E1 | Boston* | 4 | |||||||||||||
| E2 | Cleveland* | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Washington | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| E2 | Cleveland* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Boston* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Phoenix | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| W1 | Golden State* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W4 | Milwaukee* | 1 | W5 | Detroit | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| W5 | Detroit | 2 | Western Conference | W1 | Golden State* | 3 | |||||||||||||
| W3 | Phoenix | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Phoenix | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W2 | Seattle | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
- * Division winner
- Bold Series winner
- Italic Team with home-court advantage
First round
Eastern Conference first round
(4) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Buffalo Braves
April 15
|
| Buffalo Braves 95, Philadelphia 76ers 89 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–22, 23–25, 22–25, 22–17 | ||
| 13 | Pts: Fred Carter 30 Rebs: George McGinnis 15 Asts: George McGinnis 4 | |
| Buffalo leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 16
|
| Philadelphia 76ers 131, Buffalo Braves 106 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–24, 34–24, 32–37, 36–21 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Randy Smith 27 Rebs: Bob McAdoo 13 Asts: Randy Smith 7 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 18
|
| Buffalo Braves 124, Philadelphia 76ers 123 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 32–32, 23–32, 32–25, 24–22, Overtime: 13–12 | ||
| 11 | Pts: Fred Carter 32 Rebs: George McGinnis 15 Asts: Fred Carter 6 | |
| Buffalo wins series, 2–1 | ||
First Time 5th Seed Beats The 4th Seed This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[1]
Western Conference first round
(4) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (5) Detroit Pistons
April 13
|
| Detroit Pistons 107, Milwaukee Bucks 110 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–23, 31–30, 23–28, 28–29 | ||
| 6 each | Pts: Gary Brokaw 36 Rebs: Elmore Smith 13 Asts: Brian Winters 7 | |
| Milwaukee leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 15
|
| Milwaukee Bucks 123, Detroit Pistons 126 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–34, 31–26, 30–32, 35–34 | ||
| 12 | Pts: Bob Lanier 35 Rebs: Curtis Rowe 10 Asts: Money, Clark 5 each | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 18
|
| Detroit Pistons 107, Milwaukee Bucks 104 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 36–29, 20–26, 24–27, 27–22 | ||
| 8 | Pts: Brian Winters 33 Rebs: Dave Meyers 10 Asts: Gary Brokaw 7 | |
| Detroit wins series, 2–1 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[2]
Conference semifinals
Eastern Conference semifinals
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Buffalo Braves
April 21
|
| Buffalo Braves 98, Boston Celtics 107 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–29, 20–26, 25–29, 22–23 | ||
| 12 | Pts: Dave Cowens 30 Rebs: Dave Cowens 17 Asts: Jo Jo White 8 | |
| Boston leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 23
|
| Buffalo Braves 96, Boston Celtics 101 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–28, 24–27, 25–24, 23–22 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Dave Cowens 27 Rebs: Dave Cowens 18 Asts: Charlie Scott 6 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–0 | ||
April 25
|
| Boston Celtics 93, Buffalo Braves 98 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–12, 23–36, 25–24, 21–26 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Randy Smith 29 Rebs: Randy Smith 14 Asts: Ernie DiGregorio 10 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 28
|
| Boston Celtics 122, Buffalo Braves 124 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 34–39, 34–28, 20–27, 34–30 | ||
| 11 | Pts: Bob McAdoo 30 Rebs: Bob McAdoo 17 Asts: Randy Smith 10 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
April 30
|
| Buffalo Braves 88, Boston Celtics 99 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–20, 19–26, 29–30, 23–23 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Dave Cowens 30 Rebs: Paul Silas 22 Asts: Jo Jo White 6 | |
| Boston leads series, 3–2 | ||
May 2
|
| Boston Celtics 104, Buffalo Braves 100 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–27, 20–28, 27–23, 27–22 | ||
| 8 | Pts: Bob McAdoo 28 Rebs: John Shumate 16 Asts: Ernie DiGregorio 8 | |
| Boston wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first meeting.
| Boston leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (3) Washington Bullets
April 13
|
Washington Bullets 100, Cleveland Cavaliers 95
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 37–19, 19–16, 22–25, 22–35 | ||
| 5 | Pts: Jim Chones 23 Rebs: Campy Russell 11 Asts: Jim Cleamons 8 | |
| Washington leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 15
|
Washington Bullets 79
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–24, 12–22, 27–17, 17–16 | ||
| 4 | Pts: Phil Chenier 19 Rebs: Unseld, Robinson 13 each Asts: Dave Bing 7 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
- Bingo Smith hits game winning jumper to tie series.
April 17
|
Washington Bullets 76, Cleveland Cavaliers 88
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 22–24, 17–22, 22–21 | ||
| : four players 3 each | Pts: Smith, Carr 17 each Rebs: Jim Brewer 12 Asts: Jim Brewer 6 | |
| Cleveland leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 21
|
Washington Bullets 109
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–26, 22–25, 19–27, 28–31 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Clem Haskins 22 Rebs: Unseld, Hayes 14 each Asts: Wes Unseld 7 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
April 22
|
Washington Bullets 91, Cleveland Cavaliers 92
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–23, 26–25, 22–28, 20–16 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Dick Snyder 26 Rebs: Jim Brewer 12 Asts: Cleamons, Snyder 4 each | |
| Cleveland leads series, 3–2 | ||
- Jim Cleamons hits game-winning tip-in.
April 26
|
Washington Bullets 102 (OT)
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 19–30, 25–19, 21–22, 23–17, Overtime: 10–14 | ||
| 5 each | Pts: Elvin Hayes 28 Rebs: Wes Unseld 18 Asts: Wes Unseld 8 | |
| Series tied, 3–3 | ||
April 29
|
Washington Bullets 85, Cleveland Cavaliers 87
| ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–29, 21–19, 24–21, 14–18 | ||
| 4 | Pts: Dick Snyder 23 Rebs: Jim Brewer 16 Asts: Jim Cleamons 6 | |
| Cleveland wins series, 4–3 | ||
- Dick Snyder hits the series-winning shot with 4 seconds left.
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[4]
Western Conference semifinals
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (5) Detroit Pistons
April 20
|
| Detroit Pistons 103, Golden State Warriors 127 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–34, 20–31, 24–27, 28–35 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Phil Smith 26 Rebs: Clifford Ray 12 Asts: Rick Barry 14 | |
| Golden State leads series, 1–0 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 13,067 |
April 22
|
| Detroit Pistons 123, Golden State Warriors 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 39–37, 31–29, 29–18, 24–27 | ||
| 9 | Pts: Rick Barry 27 Rebs: Clifford Ray 12 Asts: Rick Barry 8 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 13,067 |
April 24
|
| Golden State Warriors 113, Detroit Pistons 96 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–26, 28–22, 31–27, 29–21 | ||
| 10 | Pts: Bob Lanier 23 Rebs: Bob Lanier 16 Asts: Eric Money 8 | |
| Golden State leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 26
|
| Golden State Warriors 102, Detroit Pistons 106 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–28, 17–25, 21–32, 33–21 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Bob Lanier 30 Rebs: Bob Lanier 11 Asts: Eric Money 7 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
April 28
|
| Detroit Pistons 109, Golden State Warriors 128 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–28, 26–32, 32–33, 29–35 | ||
| 5 | Pts: Phil Smith 28 Rebs: Clifford Ray 14 Asts: Rick Barry 11 | |
| Golden State leads series, 3–2 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 13,067 |
April 30
|
| Golden State Warriors 118, Detroit Pistons 116 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–31, 25–32, 27–22, 28–25, Overtime: 8–6 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Bob Lanier 30 Rebs: Bob Lanier 16 Asts: Eric Money 9 | |
| Golden State wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning the only meeting when both teams were based in Philadelphia and Fort Wayne respectively.
| Golden State/ Philadelphia leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (3) Phoenix Suns
April 13
|
| Phoenix Suns 99, Seattle SuperSonics 102 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–29, 26–22, 26–28, 26–23 | ||
| 10 | Pts: Fred Brown 34 Rebs: Fred Brown 7 Asts: Slick Watts 8 | |
| Seattle leads series, 1–0 | ||
Seattle, Washington Attendance: 12,408 |
April 15
|
| Phoenix Suns 116, Seattle SuperSonics 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–29, 35–28, 22–29, 29–25 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Fred Brown 45 Rebs: Tommy Burleson 12 Asts: Slick Watts 6 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
Seattle, Washington Attendance: 14,096 |
April 18
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 91, Phoenix Suns 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–27, 31–24, 14–27, 30–25 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Heard, Westphal 16 each Rebs: Gar Heard 14 Asts: Westphal, Adams 6 each | |
| Phoenix leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 20
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 114, Phoenix Suns 130 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–31, 21–29, 25–30, 42–40 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Paul Westphal 39 Rebs: Gar Heard 11 Asts: Ricky Sobers 8 | |
| Phoenix leads series, 3–1 | ||
April 25
|
| Phoenix Suns 108, Seattle SuperSonics 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–28, 27–28, 30–30, 28–28 | ||
| : three players 4 each | Pts: Bruce Seals 28 Rebs: Willie Norwood 13 Asts: Slick Watts 12 | |
| Phoenix leads series, 3–2 | ||
Seattle, Washington Attendance: 14,096 |
April 27
|
| Seattle SuperSonics 112, Phoenix Suns 123 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–25, 27–35, 24–34, 38–29 | ||
| 11 | Pts: Keith Erickson 20 Rebs: Heard, Adams 9 each Asts: Alvan Adams 10 | |
| Phoenix wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[6]
Conference finals
Eastern Conference finals
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers
May 6
|
| Cleveland Cavaliers 99, Boston Celtics 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–32, 28–25, 29–20, 22–34 | ||
| 6 | Pts: John Havlicek 26 Rebs: Dave Cowens 12 Asts: Dave Cowens 7 | |
| Boston leads series, 1–0 | ||
May 9
|
| Cleveland Cavaliers 89, Boston Celtics 94 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 19–24, 29–20, 23–24, 18–26 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Jo Jo White 24 Rebs: Paul Silas 19 Asts: three players 4 each | |
| Boston leads series, 2–0 | ||
May 11
|
| Boston Celtics 78, Cleveland Cavaliers 83 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–16, 22–27, 16–15, 24–25 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Jim Cleamons 18 Rebs: Jim Brewer 15 Asts: Nate Thurmond 6 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–1 | ||
May 14
|
| Boston Celtics 87, Cleveland Cavaliers 106 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–27, 28–22, 19–24, 17–33 | ||
| 4 | Pts: Bingo Smith 27 Rebs: Jim Brewer 11 Asts: Jim Cleamons 8 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
May 16
|
| Cleveland Cavaliers 94, Boston Celtics 99 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–22, 19–20, 22–26, 30–31 | ||
| 4 each | Pts: Dave Cowens 26 Rebs: Paul Silas 13 Asts: Dave Cowens 6 | |
| Boston leads series, 3–2 | ||
May 18
|
| Boston Celtics 94, Cleveland Cavaliers 87 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–19, 21–27, 24–23, 27–18 | ||
| 5 each | Pts: Austin Carr 26 Rebs: Nate Thurmond 14 Asts: Thurmond, Cleamons 5 each | |
| Boston wins series, 4–2 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[7]
Western Conference finals
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (3) Phoenix Suns
May 2
|
| Phoenix Suns 103, Golden State Warriors 128 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–30, 20–28, 24–31, 31–39 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Rick Barry 38 Rebs: Clifford Ray 11 Asts: Gus Williams 6 | |
| Golden State leads series, 1–0 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 12,475 |
May 5
|
| Phoenix Suns 108, Golden State Warriors 101 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–26, 18–18, 35–29, 27–28 | ||
| 9 | Pts: George Johnson 11 4Asts: Rick Barry | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 13,067 |
May 7
|
| Golden State Warriors 99, Phoenix Suns 91 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–22, 24–31, 26–18, 25–20 | ||
| 6 each | Pts: Paul Westphal 24 Rebs: Alvan Adams 14 Asts: Ricky Sobers 6 | |
| Golden State leads series, 2–1 | ||
May 9
|
| Golden State Warriors 129, Phoenix Suns 133 (2OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–36, 33–29, 24–26, 25–21, Overtime: 7–7, 10–14 | ||
| 8 | Pts: Keith Erickson 28 Rebs: Gar Heard 18 Asts: Paul Westphal 8 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
May 12
|
| Phoenix Suns 95, Golden State Warriors 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–40, 26–29, 22–15, 23–27 | ||
| 4 each | Pts: Phil Smith 25 Rebs: Clifford Ray 16 Asts: Phil Smith 6 | |
| Golden State leads series, 3–2 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 13,067 |
May 14
|
| Golden State Warriors 104, Phoenix Suns 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–28, 31–26, 21–31, 26–20 | ||
| 6 each | Pts: Ricky Sobers 21 Rebs: Gar Heard 15 Asts: three players 6 each | |
| Series tied, 3–3 | ||
May 16
|
| Phoenix Suns 94, Golden State Warriors 86 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–26, 20–22, 25–17, 27–21 | ||
| 4 each | Pts: Rick Barry 20 Rebs: Wilkes, Ray 13 each Asts: Phil Smith 6 | |
| Phoenix wins series, 4–3 | ||
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California Attendance: 13,067 |
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[8]
NBA Finals: (E1) Boston Celtics vs. (W3) Phoenix Suns
May 23
|
| Phoenix Suns 87, Boston Celtics 98 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–22, 19–22, 27–27, 21–27 | ||
| 7 | Pts: Dave Cowens 25 Rebs: Dave Cowens 21 Asts: Dave Cowens 10 | |
| Boston leads series, 1–0 | ||
May 27
|
| Phoenix Suns 90, Boston Celtics 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–24, 16–22, 16–34, 33–25 | ||
| 5 each | Pts: John Havlicek 23 Rebs: Paul Silas 17 Asts: Jo Jo White 9 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–0 | ||
May 30
|
| Boston Celtics 98, Phoenix Suns 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–26, 22–26, 26–26, 33–27 | ||
| 5 | Pts: Alvan Adams 33 Rebs: Alvan Adams 14 Asts: Paul Westphal 6 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–1 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 12,884 Referees: Richie Powers, Paul Mihalak |
June 2
|
| Boston Celtics 107, Phoenix Suns 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–35, 27–25, 23–27, 27–22 | ||
| 5 | Pts: Paul Westphal 28 Rebs: Gar Heard 15 Asts: Paul Westphal 9 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 13,306 Referees: Don Murphy, Manny Sokol |
June 4
|
| Phoenix Suns 126, Boston Celtics 128 (3OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 18–36, 27–25, 27–16, 23–18, Overtime: 6–6, 11–11, 14–16 | ||
| 6 each | Pts: Jo Jo White 33 Rebs: Dave Cowens 19 Asts: Jo Jo White 9 | |
| Boston leads series, 3–2 | ||
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320 Referees: Richie Powers, Don Murphy, Bob Rakel |
- As John Havlicek hit the clutch shot as time ran out for Boston in the second OT, the fans crowded the floor in celebration, thinking that the game was over. However, the clock was supposed to stop on the basket, and the referees had to bring the Celtics back onto the floor and put one second back on the clock. Meanwhile, Paul Westphal called a timeout that the Suns didn't have which would result in a technical foul, forcing Jo Jo White to shoot and make the technical free throw which put the Celtics up by 2, and then Gar Heard hit the game-tying buzzer-beater to force the third OT.
June 6
|
| Boston Celtics 87, Phoenix Suns 80 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 18–13, 19–23, 30–24 | ||
| 6 | Pts: Alvan Adams 20 Rebs: Gar Heard 10 Asts: Alvan Adams 6 | |
| Boston wins series, 4–2 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 13,306 Referees: Darell Garretson, Jake O'Donnell |
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[9]
See also
- NBA records
References
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Clippers versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Golden State Warriors (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Cleveland Cavaliers versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Golden State Warriors (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Oklahoma City Thunder versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Cleveland Cavaliers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.