1984 NBA Playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 1984 NBA Playoffs
was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
's 1983-84 season
. This was the first postseason allowing sixteen teams to qualify, a format that is still in use as of 2011. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference
champion Boston Celtics
defeating their rivals, the Western Conference
champion Los Angeles Lakers
, four games to three in the NBA Finals
. Larry Bird
was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.
It was the first NBA Finals meeting between the Celtics and Lakers since 1969
; the storied rivals met seven times in the championship series from 1959 to 1969, with Boston coming out on top each year. Going into the 1984 playoffs the Lakers had already won two championships in the 1980s and the Celtics one, making the renewal of the Lakers/Celtics rivalry arguably inevitable and certainly highly anticipated.
Two teams made their playoff debuts (and won their first playoff series) in the 1984 playoffs: the Utah Jazz
(who joined the NBA for the 1974-75 season
as the New Orleans Jazz) and the Dallas Mavericks
, a 1980-81
expansion team. The Jazz would not miss the playoffs again until 2004.
The Detroit Pistons
made their first playoff appearance since 1977
; they would not miss the postseason again until 1993.
The New Jersey Nets
won a playoff series for the first time in their NBA history, upsetting the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers
in five games. This was also the only time a road team won every playoff game in a series. The Nets would not win a playoff series again until 2002
.
The 1984 Playoffs also involved two of the hottest (literally) games in NBA history. Game 5 of the first round between the New York Knicks
and the Detroit Pistons
was played at Joe Louis Arena
, as the Pontiac Silverdome
was unavailable, with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees. Game 5 of the 1984 NBA Finals
between the Boston Celtics
and Los Angeles Lakers
, at the Boston Garden
, reached temperatures as high as 100 degrees, as the Garden lacked air-conditioning, coupled with the sweltering outdoors conditions in Boston.
vs. (8) Kansas City Kings
:
Lakers win series 3-0
Last Playoff Meeting: 1955 Western Division Semifinals
(Lakers won 2-1; Lakers were in Minneapolis, Kings were in Rochester, New York
as the Royals)
(2) Utah Jazz
vs. (7) Denver Nuggets
:
Jazz win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(3) Portland Trail Blazers
vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
:
Suns win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1979 Western Conference First Round
(Phoenix won 2-1)
(4) Dallas Mavericks
vs. (5) Seattle SuperSonics
:
Mavericks win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(*) Reunion Arena was booked because of a World Championship Tennis
event
vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks
:
Lakers win series 4-1
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(*) Derek Harper
made a huge mistake by dribbling out the clock thinking Dallas was ahead, with the score actually tied going into overtime.
(2) Utah Jazz
vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
:
Suns win series 4-2
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
:
Lakers win series 4-2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Western Conference Semifinals
(Los Angeles won 4-0)
vs. (8) Washington Bullets
:
Celtics win series 3-1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Eastern Conference Semifinals
(Boston won 4-1)
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
vs. (7) Atlanta Hawks
:
Bucks win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(3) Philadelphia 76ers
vs. (6) New Jersey Nets
:
Nets win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1979 Eastern Conference First Round
(Philadelphia won 2-0)
(4) Detroit Pistons
vs. (5) New York Knicks
:
Knicks win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
vs. (5) New York Knicks
:
Celtics win series 4-3
Last Playoff Meeting: 1974 Eastern Conference Finals
(Boston won 4-1)
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
vs. (6) New Jersey Nets
:
Bucks win series 4-2
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks
:
Celtics win series 4-1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1983 Eastern Conference Semifinals
(Milwaukee won 4-0)
vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers
:
Celtics win series 4-3
Last Playoff Meeting: 1969 NBA Finals
(Boston won 4-3)
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's 1983-84 season
1983-84 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Rookie of the Year: Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets*Defensive Player of the Year: Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks...
. This was the first postseason allowing sixteen teams to qualify, a format that is still in use as of 2011. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
champion Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
defeating their rivals, the Western Conference
Western Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
champion Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, four games to three in the NBA Finals
1984 NBA Finals
The 1984 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1983-84 NBA season. In 1984, the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game Finals, winning Game 7 111-102. Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the award of...
. Larry Bird
Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.
It was the first NBA Finals meeting between the Celtics and Lakers since 1969
1969 NBA Finals
The 1969 NBA World Championship Series to determine the champion of the 1968-69 NBA season was played between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the Lakers being heavily favored due to the presence of three formidable stars: Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West...
; the storied rivals met seven times in the championship series from 1959 to 1969, with Boston coming out on top each year. Going into the 1984 playoffs the Lakers had already won two championships in the 1980s and the Celtics one, making the renewal of the Lakers/Celtics rivalry arguably inevitable and certainly highly anticipated.
Two teams made their playoff debuts (and won their first playoff series) in the 1984 playoffs: the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(who joined the NBA for the 1974-75 season
1974-75 NBA season
The 1974–75 NBA season was the 29th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA Championship, sweeping the Washington Bullets 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
as the New Orleans Jazz) and the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
, a 1980-81
1980-81 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz*Coach of the Year: Jack McKinney, Indiana Pacers*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
expansion team. The Jazz would not miss the playoffs again until 2004.
The Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
made their first playoff appearance since 1977
1977 NBA Playoffs
The 1977 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1976-1977 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers four games to two in the Finals. It was...
; they would not miss the postseason again until 1993.
The New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
won a playoff series for the first time in their NBA history, upsetting the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in five games. This was also the only time a road team won every playoff game in a series. The Nets would not win a playoff series again until 2002
2002 NBA Playoffs
The 2002 NBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2001–02 season. This would be the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; next year's postseason would see those series expanded to a best-of-7 format...
.
The 1984 Playoffs also involved two of the hottest (literally) games in NBA history. Game 5 of the first round between the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
was played at Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...
, as the Pontiac Silverdome
Pontiac Silverdome
The Silverdome is a domed stadium located in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, USA, which sits on . It was the largest stadium in the National Football League until FedEx Field in suburban Washington, D.C...
was unavailable, with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees. Game 5 of the 1984 NBA Finals
1984 NBA Finals
The 1984 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1983-84 NBA season. In 1984, the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game Finals, winning Game 7 111-102. Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the award of...
between the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, at the Boston Garden
Boston Garden
The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, reached temperatures as high as 100 degrees, as the Garden lacked air-conditioning, coupled with the sweltering outdoors conditions in Boston.
Bracket
1st Round
(1) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (8) Kansas City Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
:
Lakers win series 3-0
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 18): Los Angeles 116, Kansas City 105
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 20): Los Angeles 109, Kansas City 102
- Game 3 @ Kemper ArenaKemper ArenaKemper Arena is a 19,500 seat indoor arena, in Kansas City, Missouri.It is named for R. Crosby Kemper Sr., a member of the powerful Kemper financial clan and who donated $3.2 million, from his estate for the arena...
, Kansas City (April 22): Los Angeles 108, Kansas City 102
Last Playoff Meeting: 1955 Western Division Semifinals
1955 NBA Playoffs
The 1955 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1954-1955 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Syracuse Nationals defeating the Western Conference champion Fort Wayne Pistons, four games to three in the NBA Finals.This...
(Lakers won 2-1; Lakers were in Minneapolis, Kings were in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
as the Royals)
(2) Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (7) Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
:
Jazz win series 3-2
- Game 1 @ Salt PalaceSalt PalaceThis article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
, Salt Lake City (April 17): Utah 123, Denver 121 - Game 2 @ Salt PalaceSalt PalaceThis article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
, Salt Lake City (April 19): Denver 132, Utah 116 - Game 3 @ McNichols Sports ArenaMcNichols Sports ArenaMcNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena, in Denver, Colorado, USA, adjacent to Mile High Stadium. Completed in 1975, at a cost of $10 million, it seated 16,061, for hockey games, 17,171, for basketball games and contained 27 luxury suites, which were installed as part of the 1986 renovation. It...
, Denver (April 22): Denver 121, Utah 117 - Game 4 @ McNichols Sports ArenaMcNichols Sports ArenaMcNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena, in Denver, Colorado, USA, adjacent to Mile High Stadium. Completed in 1975, at a cost of $10 million, it seated 16,061, for hockey games, 17,171, for basketball games and contained 27 luxury suites, which were installed as part of the 1986 renovation. It...
, Denver (April 24): Utah 129, Denver 124 - Game 5 @ Salt PalaceSalt PalaceThis article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
, Salt Lake City (April 26): Utah 127, Denver 111
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(3) Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
:
Suns win series 3-2
- Game 1 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 18): Phoenix 113, Portland 106
- Game 2 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 20): Portland 122, Phoenix 116
- Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (April 22): Phoenix 106, Portland 103 - Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (April 24): Portland 113, Phoenix 110 - Game 5 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 26): Phoenix 117, Portland 105
Last Playoff Meeting: 1979 Western Conference First Round
1979 NBA Playoffs
The 1979 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1978-1979 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets four games to one in the Finals. The Sonics...
(Phoenix won 2-1)
(4) Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
vs. (5) Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
:
Mavericks win series 3-2
- Game 1 @ Reunion ArenaReunion ArenaReunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
, Dallas (April 17): Dallas 88, Seattle 86 - Game 2 @ Reunion ArenaReunion ArenaReunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
, Dallas (April 19): Seattle 95, Dallas 92 (Gus Williams banks in game-winning 3-pointer as time runs out) - Game 3 @ Seattle Center ColiseumKeyArenaKeyArena at Seattle Center , is a multipurpose arena, in Seattle, Washington. It is located north of downtown in the entertainment complex known as Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair, the Century 21 Exposition...
, Seattle (April 21): Seattle 104, Dallas 94 - Game 4 @ KingdomeKingdomeThe Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the...
, Seattle (April 24): Dallas 107, Seattle 96 - Game 5 @ Moody ColiseumMoody ColiseumMoody Coliseum is an 8,998-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Texas. The arena opened in 1956. It is home to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs basketball team. It was also home to the Dallas Chaparrals and Texas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association before they moved...
, University Park (April 26)*: Dallas 105, Seattle 104 (OT)
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(*) Reunion Arena was booked because of a World Championship Tennis
World Championship Tennis
World Championship Tennis was a tour for professional male tennis players established in 1968 and lasted until the emergence of the ATP Tour in 1990...
event
Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
:
Lakers win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 28): Los Angeles 134, Dallas 91
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 1): Los Angeles 117, Dallas 101
- Game 3 @ Reunion ArenaReunion ArenaReunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
, Dallas (May 4): Dallas 125, Los Angeles 115 - Game 4 @ Reunion ArenaReunion ArenaReunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
, Dallas (May 6)*: Los Angeles 122, Dallas 115 (OT) - Game 5 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 8): Los Angeles 115, Dallas 99
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(*) Derek Harper
Derek Harper
Derek Ricardo Harper is a retired American professional basketball player from the University of Illinois, who spent 16 seasons as a point guard in the National Basketball Association with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.-College:After graduating from...
made a huge mistake by dribbling out the clock thinking Dallas was ahead, with the score actually tied going into overtime.
(2) Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
:
Suns win series 4-2
- Game 1 @ Salt PalaceSalt PalaceThis article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
, Salt Lake City (April 29): Utah 105, Phoenix 95 - Game 2 @ Salt PalaceSalt PalaceThis article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
, Salt Lake City (May 2): Phoenix 102, Utah 97 - Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (May 4): Phoenix 106, Utah 94 - Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (May 6): Phoenix 111, Utah 110 (OT) - Game 5 @ Salt PalaceSalt PalaceThis article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
, Salt Lake City (May 8): Utah 118, Phoenix 106 - Game 6 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (May 10): Phoenix 102, Utah 82
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
Conference finals
(1) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
:
Lakers win series 4-2
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 12): Los Angeles 110, Phoenix 94
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 15): Los Angeles 118, Phoenix 102 (Magic JohnsonMagic JohnsonEarvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
gives NBA playoff record 24 assists) - Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (May 18): Phoenix 135, Los Angeles 127 (OT) - Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (May 20): Los Angeles 126, Phoenix 115 - Game 5 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 23): Phoenix 126, Los Angeles 121
- Game 6 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
, Phoenix (May 25): Los Angeles 99, Phoenix 97
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Western Conference Semifinals
1982 NBA Playoffs
The 1982 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1981-1982 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers, four games to two in the NBA Finals...
(Los Angeles won 4-0)
1st Round
(1) Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (8) Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
:
Celtics win series 3-1
- Game 1 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (April 17): Boston 91, Washington 83 - Game 2 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (April 19): Boston 88, Washington 85 - Game 3 @ Capital CentreCapital CentreThe Capital Centre was an indoor arena located in Landover, Maryland, unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland; a suburb of Washington, D.C. Completed in 1973, the arena sat 18,756 for basketball and 18,130 for hockey....
, Landover (April 21): Washington 111, Boston 108 (OT) - Game 4 @ Capital CentreCapital CentreThe Capital Centre was an indoor arena located in Landover, Maryland, unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland; a suburb of Washington, D.C. Completed in 1973, the arena sat 18,756 for basketball and 18,130 for hockey....
, Landover (April 24): Boston 99, Washington 96
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Eastern Conference Semifinals
1982 NBA Playoffs
The 1982 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1981-1982 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers, four games to two in the NBA Finals...
(Boston won 4-1)
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
vs. (7) Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
:
Bucks win series 3-2
- Game 1 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (April 17): Milwaukee 105, Atlanta 89 - Game 2 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (April 19): Milwaukee 101, Atlanta 87 - Game 3 @ The OmniOmni ColiseumThe Omni Coliseum, usually called The Omni, from the Latin for "all," or "every," was an indoor arena, located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Completed in 1972, the arena seated 16,378, for basketball and 15,278, for ice hockey...
, Atlanta (April 21): Atlanta 103, Milwaukee 94 - Game 4 @ The OmniOmni ColiseumThe Omni Coliseum, usually called The Omni, from the Latin for "all," or "every," was an indoor arena, located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Completed in 1972, the arena seated 16,378, for basketball and 15,278, for ice hockey...
, Atlanta (April 24): Atlanta 100, Milwaukee 97 - Game 5 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (April 26): Milwaukee 118, Atlanta 89
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
vs. (6) New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
:
Nets win series 3-2
- Game 1 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (April 18): New Jersey 116, Philadelphia 101
- Game 2 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (April 20): New Jersey 116, Philadelphia 102
- Game 3 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (April 22): Philadelphia 108, New Jersey 100
- Game 4 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (April 24): Philadelphia 110, New Jersey 102
- Game 5 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (April 26): New Jersey 101, Philadelphia 98
Last Playoff Meeting: 1979 Eastern Conference First Round
1979 NBA Playoffs
The 1979 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1978-1979 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets four games to one in the Finals. The Sonics...
(Philadelphia won 2-0)
(4) Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
vs. (5) New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
:
Knicks win series 3-2
- Game 1 @ Pontiac SilverdomeSilverdomeThe Silverdome is an indoor sporting and entertainment venue located in Launceston, Tasmania built in 1984. The Silverdome was built at an estimated cost of A$4 million, as the Tasmanian Government "proposed a world class facility" to replace the run down velodrome in the Launceston suburb of St...
, Pontiac (April 17): New York 94, Detroit 93 - Game 2 @ Pontiac SilverdomeSilverdomeThe Silverdome is an indoor sporting and entertainment venue located in Launceston, Tasmania built in 1984. The Silverdome was built at an estimated cost of A$4 million, as the Tasmanian Government "proposed a world class facility" to replace the run down velodrome in the Launceston suburb of St...
, Pontiac (April 19): Detroit 113, New York 105 - Game 3 @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York City (April 22): New York 120, Detroit 113 - Game 4 @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York City (April 25): Detroit 119, New York 112 - Game 5 @ Joe Louis ArenaJoe Louis ArenaJoe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...
, Detroit (April 27): New York 127, Detroit 123 (OT)
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
Conference Semifinals
(1) Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (5) New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
:
Celtics win series 4-3
- Game 1 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (April 29): Boston 110, New York 92 - Game 2 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 2): Boston 116, New York 102 - Game 3 @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York City (May 4): New York 100, Boston 92 - Game 4 @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York City (May 6): New York 118, Boston 113 - Game 5 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 9): Boston 121, New York 99 - Game 6 @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York City (May 11): New York 106, Boston 104 - Game 7 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 13): Boston 121, New York 104
Last Playoff Meeting: 1974 Eastern Conference Finals
1974 NBA Playoffs
The 1974 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks, four games to three in the NBA Finals...
(Boston won 4-1)
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
vs. (6) New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
:
Bucks win series 4-2
- Game 1 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (April 29): New Jersey 106, Milwaukee 100 - Game 2 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (May 1): Milwaukee 98, New Jersey 94 - Game 3 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (May 3): Milwaukee 100, New Jersey 93
- Game 4 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (May 5): New Jersey 106, Milwaukee 99
- Game 5 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (May 8): Milwaukee 94, New Jersey 82 - Game 6 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (May 10): Milwaukee 98, New Jersey 97
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
Conference finals
(1) Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
:
Celtics win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 15): Boston 119, Milwaukee 96 - Game 2 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 17): Boston 125, Milwaukee 100 - Game 3 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (May 19): Boston 109, Milwaukee 100 - Game 4 @ The MECCAU.S. Cellular ArenaU.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, Milwaukee (May 21): Milwaukee 122, Boston 113 - Game 5 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 23): Boston 115, Milwaukee 108
Last Playoff Meeting: 1983 Eastern Conference Semifinals
1983 NBA Playoffs
The 1983 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1982-1983 season. This was the final postseason using the 12-team format, before the NBA expanded the postseason to 16 teams the next season...
(Milwaukee won 4-0)
NBA finals
(1) Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
:
Celtics win series 4-3
- Game 1 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 27): Los Angeles 115, Boston 109 - Game 2 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (May 31)*: Boston 124, Los Angeles 121 (OT; Gerald HendersonGerald HendersonJerome McKinley "Gerald" Henderson, Sr. is a retired American basketball player. He was a shooting guard who had a 13-year career in the NBA from 1979 until 1992. He played for the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and...
stole a James WorthyJames WorthyJames Ager Worthy is a retired Hall of Fame American college and professional basketball player. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion...
pass and made a layup to tie the game with 13 seconds left and eventually send it to overtime) - Game 3 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (June 3): Los Angeles 137, Boston 104 (Magic JohnsonMagic JohnsonEarvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
gives NBA playoff record 21 assists) - Game 4 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (June 6): Boston 129, Los Angeles 125 (OT)
- Game 5 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (June 8): Boston 121, Los Angeles 103 (The heat game) - Game 6 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (June 10): Los Angeles 119, Boston 108
- Game 7 @ Boston GardenBoston GardenThe Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
, Boston (June 12): Boston 111, Los Angeles 102
Last Playoff Meeting: 1969 NBA Finals
1969 NBA Finals
The 1969 NBA World Championship Series to determine the champion of the 1968-69 NBA season was played between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the Lakers being heavily favored due to the presence of three formidable stars: Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West...
(Boston won 4-3)