1970 NBA playoffs
The 1970 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1969–70 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Willis Reed was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the first NBA title for the Knicks in franchise history, and was their first appearance in the finals since losing their third straight finals in 1953 to the Lakers while they were still in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
For the Lakers, it was their third straight Western Division title and second straight year they lost in Game 7 of the NBA finals. The Lakers dropped their eighth straight NBA finals series and were denied their first NBA title since 1954.
It was also the playoff debut of both the second-year Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, with the former managing a first-round defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston missed the playoffs for the first time since 1951, despite being the defending champions.
Division Semifinals
Eastern Division Semifinals
(1) [New York Knicks] vs. (3) Baltimore Bullets">Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)">Baltimore Bullets
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.| New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
(2) [Milwaukee Bucks] vs. (4) [Philadelphia 76ers]
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.Western Division Semifinals
(1) [Atlanta Hawks] vs. (3) [Chicago Bulls]
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning the first meeting while based in St. Louis.| Atlanta/ St. Louis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
(2) [Los Angeles Lakers] vs. (4) [Phoenix Suns]
- The Lakers become the second team to come back from a 3–1 series deficit.
Division Finals
Eastern Division Finals
(1) [New York Knicks] vs. (2) [Milwaukee Bucks]
- Guy Rodgers' final NBA game.
Western Division Finals
(1) [Atlanta Hawks] vs. (2) [Los Angeles Lakers]
This was the 10th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning five of the first nine meetings.| Atlanta leads 5–4 in all-time playoff series |
NBA Finals: (E1) New York Knicks vs. (W2) Los Angeles Lakers
- Jerry West hit a desperation buzzer-beating 60-foot shot to tie it at 102 and force overtime. The Knicks pulled ahead in overtime for good when Willis Reed shot a free throw and Dick Barnett made a field goal to close the scoring. Bandaged hand and all, West later stated that the Lakers would beat the Knicks in the next game.
- Willis Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warmups, prompting widespread applause and inspiring the Knicks to win the title.
| Los Angeles/ Minneapolis leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |