(All Box Scores to be added after the end of the season)
Game 1 - #4 Denver Nuggets at #1 Houston Rockets
The defending Western Conference Champion Nuggets put up a good fight, but three-time reigning MVP
Moses Malone was absolutely destructive as the Rockets pulled away in the 2nd half to win Game 1 132-107. Moses put up 47 and 17. The Rockets won the 2nd half 71-47.
ROCKETS 132, Nuggets 107 (Rockets lead 1-0)
Nuggets Stats
David Thompson: 29 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 7 TO
George Johnson: 19 PTS, 8/9 FG
Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 47 PTS, 17 REB, 18/26 FG
Kevin Grevey: 19 PTS, 6/9 FG
***
Game 1 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers
The Spurs brought a lead into the 4th as
Ice was cooking, but of course, these two went down to the wire. With 2:37 left, the Spurs led 115-110…but wouldn’t score another point.
Magic would find
Kareem to make it 115-112, then Magic would knock down a three with 1:09 left to tie it at 1:15. Gervin, who had dominated the entire game (44 points), was nowhere to be seen.
With 27 seconds left, Magic would find rookie
Rick Mahorn, who fed
Michael Cooper. Cooper would miss his jumper, but get a tip in that would give the Lakers the lead. Amazingly, Gervin wouldn’t even touch the ball on the final play, and
John Lucas would miss a potential game-tying shot, denying the Spurs a chance to steal homecourt advantage. Kareem had 35, showing he’s still a dominant scoring force.
LAKERS 117, Spurs 115 (Lakers lead 1-0)
Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 44 PTS, 14/26 FG, 16/22 FT, 6 REB
Campy Russell: 21 PTS, 11 REB
James Silas: 18 PTS, 8 REB, 9 AST, 3 STL
Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 35 PTS, 8 REB, 15/20 FG
Magic Johnson: 17 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST, Game-Tying Three Pointer
Michael Cooper: 14 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 7/11 FG, Game Winner
***
Game 1 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 New York Knicks
So much for homecourt. The visiting Celtics stormed into Madison Square Garden, took a 27-17 1st quarter advantage and never looked back.
Larry Bird was unstoppable with an all-around 26-7-7 while
Micheal Ray was merely okay. Okay won’t get it done against Boston.
Celtics 113, KNICKS 96 (Celtics lead 1-0)
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 7/13 FG
Gus Williams: 19 PTS, 5 REB
Caldwell Jones: 16 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK
Knicks Stats
Ray Williams: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 6/18 FG
Micheal Ray Richardson: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST, 5/7 FG
Bill Cartwright: 16 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK
***
Game 1 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #2 Indiana Pacers
Most had predicted that the defending NBA Champions would roll over Indiana for a match-up against Boston or New York, but
Alex English had something to say about that. English dropped 44 as the Pacers proved they are a worthy #2 seed with a come from behind victory over the Sixers in Game 1. The Sixers brought a small lead coming into the 4th but the final frame was all Pacers. Sixers get another chance to steal homecourt in Game 2.
PACERS 131, 76ers 123 (Pacers lead 1-0)
76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 36 PTS, 17 REB, 14/20 FG, 2 BLK
Julius Erving: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 9/18 FG
Doug Collins: 31 PTS, 8/19 FG, 15/17 FT
Maurice Cheeks: 12 PTS, 11 AST
Pacers Stats
Alex English: 44 PTS, 10 REB, 15/28 FG, 14/15 FT
Johnny Davis: 26 PTS, 8 AST
***
Game 2 - #4 Denver Nuggets at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 1-0)
Another easy win for Houston. The Nuggets just had nothing going, with
David Thompson scoring 18 points on 20 shots.
Moses put up a big 26-16 on just 12 FGA. More bad news for Denver: Thompson injured his foot (looks broken), ending his playoffs and likely ending any remaining hopes of a return to the NBA Finals. The Rockets had seven players in double digits.
ROCKETS 114, Nuggets 83 (Rockets lead 2-0)
Nuggets Stats
David Thompson: 18 PTS, 7/20 FG
George McGinnis: 12 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST
Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 26 PTS, 16 REB, 2 BLK, 9/12 FG
Dennis Johnson: 17 PTS, 4/6 FG, 9/12 FT
***
Game 2 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 1-0)
The Lakers came out in full force in Game 2, never trailing and blowing the Spurs out.
Magic Johnson took only five field goal attempts and put together a triple-double.
Kareem scored 24 on 14 shots.
Iceman was good, but not great. Only he and
James Silas scored in double digits for the Spurs. A huge key to the game was that the Lakers hit 57.5% of their field goals, while the Spurs only hit 41.5%.
LAKERS 115, Spurs 97 (Lakers lead 2-0)
Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 25 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL
James Silas: 21 PTS, 8/16 FG, 5/6 FT
Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 10/14 FG
Magic Johnson: 16 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 4/5 FG, 8/8 FT
Michael Cooper: 19 PTS, 8/11 FG
***
Game 2 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 New York Knicks (Celtics lead 1-0)
Game two went down to the wire, with the Celtics squeezing the Knicks to take both games in New York, and the Knicks hanging on in what already feels like a must-win.
Dave Cowens fouls
Bill Cartwright with 3:06 to go, and Cartwright hits them both. It’s 97-95 Celtics with 3 minutes to go.
Larry Bird with another playoff masterpiece, hits a jumper from the left baseline to make it 99-95. The Celtics send New York back to the line again as
Ray Williams is hacked by
Ricky Sobers on the way to the basket. Williams hits both free throws, and it’s 99-97. Bird misses on the other side, and the Knicks have a chance to tie or even take the lead. With Madison Square Garden rumbling,
Micheal Ray Richardson brings the ball down the court with just 2:10 left.
Richardson and Cartwright play a two-man game, and Richardson breaks free and hits a shot from the free throw line to tie things up. The Knicks decide to press and Ray Williams steals a
Cedric Maxwell pass, but
Marvin Webster travels, giving Boston the ball back.
Michael Wiley fouls out, sending Maxwell to the line. He hits both and it’s 101-99 with a minute left.
Gus Williams finds a steal, but Maxwell turns over the ball as Williams gets a steal of his own, and Micheal Ray tips in his own miss to tie things at 101!
Larry Bird breaks free from his defender on the inbound and gets a lay-up, leaving three seconds left! Those were points 45 and 46 for Bird. Madison Square Garden is in disbelief and Bird may have his second game winner of these playoffs. Ray Williams gets the in-bound and shoots a twisting three….and
IT’S GOOD! The Knicks win 104-103 as Madison Square Garden loses its mind! Bird can’t believe it as the Knicks tie the series.
KNICKS 104, Celtics 103 (Series Tied 1-1)
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 46 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 18/24 FG, 7/7 FT, 3/3 3P
Ricky Sobers: 13 PTS, 4 REB
Cedric Maxwell: 12 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 5/6 FG
Knicks Stats
Micheal Ray Richardson: 25 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 11/21 FG
Ray Williams: 11 PTS, 4/8, 1/1 3P, Game Winning Three-Pointer
***
Game 2 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #2 Indiana Pacers (Pacers lead 1-0)
Another Eastern Conference battle that went to the wire…
The Pacers led 103-97 when the Sixers’
Jo Jo White stole a pass from
Brad Davis.
Robert Parish couldn’t het his shot to go, but he grabbed his own rebound, leading to a thunderous
Dr. J jam on
Billy Knight! Knight gets called for the foul and Dr. J completes the three-point play as Market Square Arena just gets quiet...
Johnny Davis hits a shot on the other end to keep Indiana up by 4.
Bobby Jones finds a basket for Philly and it’s 104-102 with two minutes left.
Alex English misses a contested lay-up, but Indiana keeps the ball and Davis hits another shot. Davis gets too aggressive on the other side of the ball though and fouls
Mo Cheeks. Cheeks hits both free throws, and it’s 106-104 with a minute left. English attacks again, but Robert Parish blocks it and the Sixers have all the momentum. Dr. J attacks the basket again and ties the game at 106 with 32 seconds left! Indiana maximizes their next possession, but English misses a jumper and the Sixers have 6 seconds to steal a game in Indiana. Dr. J takes a three out of the timeout…but it airballs and we head to overtime.
Overtime starts slow. Davis his a shot and Parish hits a close shot, making it 108-108 with 3:45 left. A Brad Davis steal and breakway dunk gets Indianapolis excited, but Dr. J completes a three-point play and Philly takes the lead 111-110! But then Indiana slowly takes control. Edwards hits a shot, then English hits a couple of free throws. Philly gets one Mo Cheeks free throw, then English hits a lay-up. Suddenly Indiana is up 116-112 with just 2 minutes left.
Sixers don’t give up, finding Parish for a bank shot, but Brad Davis responds with a basket. Davis hits two more free throws and suddenly the game is getting away from the Sixers. Philly can never get back in it, and the Pacers ultimately win by eight. The defending NBA Champions find themselves in an 0-2 hole. Additionally, they’ve lost
Doug Collins with a concussion.
PACERS 126, 76ers 118 (OT) (Pacers lead 2-0)
76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 24 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Julius Erving: 42 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 16/24 FG, 9/10 FT
Maurice Cheeks: 15 PTS, 10 AST
Pacers Stats
Alex English: 30 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK, 10/20 FG, 10/12 FT
Johnny Davis: 26 PTS, 6 AT, 11/18 FG
Billy Knight: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST
***
Game 3 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Denver Nuggets (Rockets lead 2-0)
The
Thompson-less Nuggets gave it a fight in Denver, but
Moses dominated for the third straight game. Moses had a 30-19 and completely overwhelmed the Nuggets.
Calvin Murphy dropped 27 against his former team, but it wasn’t enough. It’ll take a miracle for the Nuggets to avoid getting swept. The Rockets again showed an excellent knack moving the ball around, as all eight of their players except for one scored double-digits.
Rockets 119, NUGGETS 109 (Rockets lead 3-0)
Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 30 PTS, 19 REB, 10/19 FG
Dennis Johnson: 22 PTS, 7 AST, 8/16 FG
Nuggets Stats
Calvin Murphy: 27 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST
Dan Issel: 11 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST
***
Game 3 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #3 San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 2-0)
Now at home, the Spurs fought tooth and nail to avoid going down 3-0. The Spurs brought an eight-point lead into the 4th, but the Lakers fought back…it’s 93-92 Spurs with three minutes to go.
Spencer Haywood scored to give the Lakers the lead!
Ice finds
Larry Kenon and the Spurs go back up by one, 95-94.
Jamaal Wilkes gets fouled heading to the basket, and makes a free throw to tie things up at 95. The Lakers wouldn’t score again as the Spurs really clamped the defense.
John Lucas hit a jumper with 100 seconds left, and
James Silas put it away for good.
SPURS 99, Lakers 95 (Lakers lead 2-1)
Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 18 PTS, 9 REB
Jamaal Wilkes: 20 PTS, 4 REB, 7/16 FG
Magic Johnson: 12 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 4/7 FG
Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 31 PTS, 13 REB, 13/27 FG
Campy Russell: 22 PTS, 10 REB
Larry Kenon: 20 PTS, 11 REB
James Silas: 13 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST
***
Game 3 - #1 New York Knicks at #4 Boston Celtics (Series Tied 1-1)
Larry Bird was brilliant again as he led the Celtics to a 2-1 series lead at the Boston Garden. Bird was all over the place again, with 26 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals.
Micheal Ray Richardson was a no show for New York with 10 points.
Ray Williams did what he could, but unless Micheal Ray or
Bill Cartwright go off, it’ll be hard to get back in this series.
CELTICS 120, Knicks 98 (Celtics lead 2-1)
Knicks Stats
Ray Williams: 24 PTS, 5 AST, 7/11 FG, 10/11 FT
Toby Knight: 20 PTS, 7/13 FG
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 26 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST, 4 STL, 8/15 FG, 10/11 FT
Gus Williams: 22 PTS, 10/16 FG
***
Game 3 - #2 Indiana Pacers at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (Pacers lead 2-0)
Now in Philly,
Dr. J and the Sixers got back into series with a wire-to-wire victory over Indiana. Dr. J scored 35 and grabbed every rebound out there.
Alex English wasn’t as good this time around, and Philly won 102-84.
76ERS 102, Pacers 84 (Pacers lead 2-1)
Pacers Stats
Alex English: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 9/18 FG
Johnny Davis: 18 PTS, 5 AST
76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 35 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 5 STL, 11/18 FG, 13/13 FT
Maurice Cheeks: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 3 STL, 9/18 FG
***
Game 4 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Denver Nuggets (Rockets lead 3-0)
Despite missing
Skywalker, the Nuggets put up a fight to the very end.
Houston led 93-91 with two minutes left.
Gary Garland hits a three, giving Denver the lead. Despite being down 3-0, the Denver crowd still believes in their Nuggets and they go nuts.
George McInnis makes it a three-point game with a shot from the baseline, and it’s 96-93. With a minute left
Rudy T scores, bringing it within one. Garland gets to the line on the next possession and Houston can’t score again, allowing Denver survives.
NUGGETS 98, Rockets 95 (Rockets lead 3-1)
Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 26 PTS, 16 REB, 2 BLK
Rudy Tomjanovich: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 11/15 FG
Nuggets Stats
Dan Issel: 24 PTS, 9 REB
Calvin Murphy: 18 PTS
***
Game 4 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #3 San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 2-1)
Instead of
Magic, perhaps you should call him perfect. Magic went 9/9 from the field, hitting his only three and hitting all six free throws, capping off a beautiful 25-13-7 and giving the Lakers a 3-1 series lead.
Iceman was stuck in foul trouble against
Michael Cooper and
Jamaal Wilkes, and the Lakers cruised to an easy nineteen point victory.
Lakers 115, SPURS 96 (Lakers lead 3-1)
Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 20 PTS, 9 REB, 4 BLK
Magic Johnson: 25 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST, 9/9 FG, 1/1 3P, 6/6 FT
Michael Cooper: 19 PTS, 7 AST
Jamaal Wilkes: 18 PTS, 8/14 FG
Spurs Stats
Campy Russell: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST
George Gervin: 15 PTS, 7/12 FG, 24 MIN, 5 Fouls
***
Game 4 - #1 New York Knicks at #4 Boston Celtics (Celtics lead 2-1)
It’s
Larry Bird’s world and the Knicks are living in it. Bird had help this time, as he,
Ricky Sobers and
Gus Williams all went for at least 29 points. The Knicks surprised everyone taking the #1 seed in the East, but Bird and the Celtics now have them one game from elimination.
CELTICS 125, Knicks 105 (Celtics lead 3-1)
Knicks Stats
Bill Cartwright: 20 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 8/13 FG
Micheal Ray Richardson: 16 PTS, 11 AST
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 9/12 FG
Ricky Sobers: 29 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 12/18 FG
Gus Williams: 29 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL, 10/16 FG, 9/12 FT
***
Game 4 - #2 Indiana Pacers at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (Pacers lead 2-1)
The Sixers took a commanding lead early and the Pacers never for back in it.
Robert Parish, who struggled in Game 3 while
Dr. J took over, dominated Game 4. Parish had 37 with 14 boards with 3 steals and 3 blocks.
Alex English scored 27, but it wasn’t enough. It’s a three-game series now as we head back to Indiana.
76ERS 111, Pacers 101 (Series tied 2-2)
Pacers Stats
Alex English: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 12/21 FG
Billy Knight: 20 PTS, 10 REB, 4 STL
Johnny Davis: 15 PTS, 12 AST
James Edwards: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 2 BLK, 6/9 FG
76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 37 PTS, 14 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK
Julius Erving: 28 PTS, 7 REB,7 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK, 9/12 FG
***
Game 5 - #4 Denver Nuggets at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 3-1)
Led by
Calvin Murphy, the Nuggets put up another good fight, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Rockets.
Moses, Dennis Johnson and
Allen Leavell scored at least 20 points. The Rockets pulled away in the 4th and will face the winner of the Lakers-Spurs series.
ROCKETS 106, Nuggets 97 (Rockets win 4-1)
Nuggets Stats
Calvin Murphy: 26 PTS, 12/24 FG
Dan Issel: 18 PTS, 7 REB, 8/15 FG
Rockets Stats
Allen Leavell: 25 PTS, 7/10 FG, 10/11 FT
Dennis Johnson: 20 PTS, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 8/13 FG, 4/4 FT
Moses Malone: 20 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL
***
Game 5 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 3-1)
The
Iceman came to play.
George Gervin could not be stopped, dropping 54 points as he and the Spurs held off elimination in Los Angeles.
Jamaal Wilkes and
Magic did what they could, but when Ice is on, Ice is on. The Spurs have a chance to force Game 7 in San Antonio.
Spurs 128, LAKERS 113 (Lakers lead 3-2)
Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 54 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 19/26 FG
Larry Kenon: 23 PTS, 8 REB, 2 STL
James Silas: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 7/14 FG
Lakers Stats
Jamaal Wilkes: 30 PTS, 6 REB, 13/23 FG
Magic Johnson: 24 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST
***
Game 5 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 New York Knicks (Celtics lead 3-1)
The Knicks came out firing at MSG, but after a strong first quarter (leading 29-15),
Bird continued with his fantastic play and the Celtics ran over the Knicks the rest of the way, deflating the New York City fans. Bird hit 4 threes, scoring 30 and locking in a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Questions around
Micheal Ray will dominate the off-season, as he failed to take over, and struggled to stay on the court (he fouled out after 25 minutes). The dream season for New York is over.
Celtics 124, KNICKS 118 (Celtics win 4-1)
Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 30 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 4/8 3P
Gus Williams: 23 PTS, 5 AST
Cedric Maxwell: 20 PTS, 8 REB, 5/8 FG, 10/11 FT
Knicks Stats
Bill Cartwright: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 8/13 FG, 12/14 FT
Micheal Ray Richardson: 16 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 25 MINS, 6 FOULS
***
Game 5 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #2 Indiana Pacers (Series tied 2-2)
The Sixers scored a huge victory in Game 5 in Indiana, this time by playing lockdown defense. After a strong first quarter for Indiana, they were up 27-23, but they would only score 50 the rest of the way.
Bobby Jones scored 25 and had 10 boards, while also slowing
Alex English down to just 18 points on 6/20 FG.
Julius Erving and
Robert Parish added 21 apiece. The Pacers shot 32.9% FG, shooting 25 for 76. The Pacers have put on a great fight, but a 2-0 lead has slipped away and Philly has a chance to win the series at home.
76ers 95, PACERS 77 (76ers lead 3-2)
76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK, 10/15 FG
Bobby Jones: 25 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL
Julius Erving: 21 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 6/9 FG
Pacers Stats
James Edwards: 20 PTS, 7 REB
Alex English: 18 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK, 6/20 FG
***
Game 6 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #3 San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 3-2)
This time the Spurs won a different way, forcing 26 Laker turnovers, resulting in 14 more field goal attempts, 26 more free throws attempts…and 17 more points.
Ice led the way with 31, overcoming a massive triple-double from
Magic, a 21-13-16. The Lakers now face a second straight season of disappointment if they can’t get by Gervin and the Spurs in Game 7…and no one in LA can be happy considering they were up 3-1.
SPURS 115, Lakers 98 (Series tied 3-3)
Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 16 AST
Jamaal Wilkes: 24 PTS, 4 REB, 10/15 FG
Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
John Lucas: 19 PTS, 10 AST
Campy Russell: 18 PTS
***
Game 6 - #2 Indiana Pacers at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (76ers lead 3-2)
The Pacers looked to be just as every bit as good as the Sixers, even better, early on. But the defending Eastern Conference Champions figured things out. The Sixers took a 26-1 1st quarter lead and never looked back. The Pacers never gave up, but they couldn’t get back in the game despite
Alex English’s 36.
Robert Parish was dominant again with 39 points and 8 boards.
Dr. J added 30. It’s Dr. J and Parish against
Bird in the Eastern Conference Finals.
76ERS 127, Pacers 110 (76ers win 4-2)
Pacers Stats
Alex English: 36 PTS, 12 REB
James Edwards: 24 PTS, 4 REB, 10/15 FG
Billy Knight: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
Brad Davis: 14 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST
76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 39 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 2 ST, 4 BLK, 15/22 FG
Julius Erving: 20 PTS, 9 AST, 11/14 FG
Maurice Cheeks: 16 PTS, 11 AST
***
Game 7 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Series tied 3-3)
The Spurs threw what they could at the Lakers, but a 75 point first half (49 points in the second quarter) with
Magic directing the way proved to be too much.
Ice had 28, but
Kareem had 23 and
Magic had another triple-double. The Lakers avoided a total collapse, and now take on
MVP Moses Malone and the Rockets. The Spurs go back to the drawing board, coming so close.
LAKERS 113, Spurs 96 (Lakers wins 4-3)
Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 28 PTS, 5 REB, 8/17 FG, 11/12 FT
Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 11/20 FG
Magic Johnson: 11 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST
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Playoff Preview
Western Conference Finals
Best of Seven
#2 Los Angeles Lakers (60-22) vs. #1 Houston Rockets (63-19)
11/27/80 – ROCKETS 102, Lakers 98
1/19/81 – Rockets 116, LAKERS 100
3/22/81 – LAKERS 93, Rockets 90
4/6/81 – Rockets 97, LAKERS 92
4/16/81 – Lakers 95, ROCKETS 92
Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 60-22
PPG: 109 (4th)
oPPG: 98.1 (5th)
Offensive Eff: 108.5 (5th)
Defensive Eff: 97.9 (2nd)
eFG: 50.7% (3rd)
Reb%: 53% (2nd)
Starters/Key Players
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 24.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.4 BPG
Rick Mahorn: 5.6 PPG, 5 RPG
Jamaal Wilkes: 20 PPG, 5 RPG
Michael Cooper: 12.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, Def 2nd Team
Magic Johnson: 23.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 10.4 APG, 2.4 SPG, Def 1st Team, NBA 1st Team
Key Injuries
None
Houston Rockets
Record: 63-19
PPG: 105.7 (9th)
oPPG: 93.5 (1st)
Offensive Eff: 111.1 (1st)
Defensive Eff: 98.2 (3rd)
eFG: 49.7% (7th)
Reb%: 53.2% (1st)
Starters/Key Players
Moses Malone: 29.7 PPG, 15.4 RPG, MVP
Dennis Johnson: 19.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.4 SPG
Kevin Grevey: 12.6 PPG, 3 REB, 2.6 APG
Allen Leavell: 10.7 PPG, 5.9 APG, 2.1 SPG
Rudy Tomjanovich: 7.5 PPG, 5 RPG
Robert Reid (6th): 9 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Key Injuries
None
Eastern Conference Finals
Best of Seven
#4 Boston Celtics (57-25) vs. #3 Philadelphia 76ers (60-22)
11/4/80 – 76ers 94, CELTICS 82
11/7/80 – 76ers 118, CELTICS 110
12/15/80 – Celtics 122, 76ERS 113
12/22/80 – Celtics 108, 76ERS 107
2/20/81 – Celtics 104, 76ERS 95
4/23/81 – 76ers 112, CELTICS 98
Boston Celtics
Record: 57-25
PPG: 108.7 (6th)
oPPG: 100.2 (9th)
Offensive Eff: 108.2 (6th)
Defensive Eff: 99.5 (4th)
eFG: 50.7% (2nd)
Reb%: 51.7% (5th)
Starters/Key Players
Larry Bird – 26.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 53.4% FG, 90.9% FT, 44.1% 3P
Gus Williams – 18.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG
Dave Cowens – 8.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG
Cedric Maxwell – 9.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG
Ricky Sobers – 12.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.3 SPG
Tiny Archibald – 7.9 PPG, 3.4 APG
Key Injuries
None
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 60-22
PPG: 108.7 (5th)
oPPG: 98.9 (6th)
Offensive Eff: 107.2 (7th)
Defensive Eff: 97.6 (1st)
eFG: 50.4% (6th)
Reb%: 51.1% (9th)
Starters/Key Players
Robert Parish – 23.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.9 BPG, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA 2nd Team
Bobby Jones – 12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, All-Defense 2nd Team
Julius Erving – 26.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.2 BPG, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Defense 1st Team
Maurice Cheeks – 14.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 7.7 APG, All-Defense 2nd Team
Key Injuries
Doug Collins is out the rest of the playoffs with a severe concussion
***
Prediction Contest – ONLY PREDICT THE CONFERENCE FINALS
1st Round – Picking the Winning Team is worth 10 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 2 Points
Results
Grim is the only predictor so far. Fortunately, he nailed all four picks team wise, scoring 40, but didn’t pay attention that the series were only best of three, so he missed all the game amounts. Still, a 40 point cushion over anyone who may predict later this playoffs.
Semi-Finals – Picking the Winning Team is worth 25 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 5 Points
Results
We have some contenders! Joey Bananas hit Rockets and Lakers, nailing the exact amount of games for the Lakers, putting Joey on the board with 55 points. Dubb came in with his own predictions, hitting all four teams and getting the exact games for the Sixers, scoring 105. Right now the 1981 Playoff Predictions Standings look like this:
@Dubble J : 105
@Joey Bananas : 55
@ThanksGriming : 40
Conference Finals – Picking the Winning is worth 50 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 10 Points
NBA Finals – Picking the Winning Team is Worth 100 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 20 Points
Guessing the Finals MVP: Worth 20 Points
Winning the Competition Each Year: Worth +10%
I will eventually find use for prediction points, as you will keep them over the years. Predictions accepted until Semi Results are posted.
Stats Site
