1977 NBA playoffs


The 1977 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1976–77 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers] defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers] 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. It was Portland's first NBA title. Bill Walton was named Bill Russell [NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP].
Portland won the NBA title in its first playoff appearance, something that had not taken place since the early days of the BAA. The Trail Blazers went 10-0 at home in the playoffs.
This was the first NBA playoffs after the ABA-NBA merger; two of the former ABA teams made their playoff debuts in their first NBA season. The New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey Nets] made their playoff debut in 1979, and the Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers] in 1981.
The NBA Playoffs added 1 more team from each conference, for a total of 12 contestants, up from 10 the previous year. Also, the two division winners in each conference were automatically given a first-round bye and started the playoffs in the conference semifinals.
This was the Detroit Pistons last playoff appearance of the decade and their last as a Western Conference team, as they would move to the East in 1978. They would not reach the postseason again until 1984.
After losing in the semifinals to Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors wouldn't return to the playoffs again until 1987.
For the first time since 1956, the Eastern Conference Finals had neither the Celtics nor Knicks participating.
The referees went on strike during these playoffs. Two high-profile veterans, Richie Powers and Earl Strom, did not honor the strike and stayed on the job.
It was the first time since 1950 that the NBA Champion had to win 4 rounds.

First round

Eastern Conference first round

(3) [1976–77 [Washington Bullets season|Washington Bullets]] vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers">1976–77 Cleveland Cavaliers season">Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Nate Thurmond played for one minute and recorded a rebound off the bench in what was his final NBA game.
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Cavaliers winning the previous meeting.
Cleveland leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series


(4) [1976–77 [Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]] vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Western Conference first round

(3) Portland Trail Blazers">1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season">Portland Trail Blazers vs. (6) Chicago Bulls">1976–77 Chicago Bulls season">Chicago Bulls

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

(4) [1976–77 [Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] vs. (5) [1976–77 [Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]]

  • This would be the last NBA playoff game in the city of Detroit until 2019.
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning both previous encounters. The April 17 game saw a fistfight between Eric Money of the Pistons and Charles Dudley of the Warriors in the third quarter that turned into a ten-minute melee between coaches and fans. The referees assessed personal fouls on Money and Dudley and continued play.
Golden State leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series


Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference semifinals

(1) Philadelphia 76ers">1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season">Philadelphia 76ers vs. (4) Boston Celtics">1976–77 Boston Celtics season">Boston Celtics

This was the 14th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning eight of the first 13 meetings.
Boston leads 8–5 in all-time playoff series


(2) Houston Rockets">1976–77 Houston Rockets season">Houston Rockets vs. (3) Washington Bullets">1976–77 Washington Bullets season">Washington Bullets

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Western Conference semifinals

(1) [1976–77 [Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (4) Golden State Warriors">1976–77 Golden State Warriors season">Golden State Warriors

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning three of the first four meetings.
Los Angeles leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series


(2) Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers">1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season">Portland Trail Blazers

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Conference finals

Eastern Conference finals

(1) Philadelphia 76ers">1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season">Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Houston Rockets">1976–77 Houston Rockets season">Houston Rockets

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Western Conference finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers">1976–77 Los Angeles Lakers season">Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers">1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season">Portland Trail Blazers

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

NBA Finals: (E1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (W3) Portland Trail Blazers

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.