1975 NBA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 8–May 25, 1975
Season1974–75
Teams10
Final positions
ChampionsGolden State Warriors (3rd title)
Runner-upWashington Bullets
Semifinalists

The 1975 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1974–75 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals. Rick Barry was named NBA Finals MVP. The Warriors won their third NBA title and first since 1956 as the Philadelphia Warriors.

The playoff format was revised again, as the result of which the first two finishers in each division were guaranteed playoff berths, along with the best third-place team from each conference. Once each conference's qualifiers were selected, they were seeded 1–5, with the fourth and fifth seeds playing a best-of-three series, with the victor advancing to play the first seed in a best-of-seven semifinal, while the second and third seeds played the other semifinal.

The eight-year-old Seattle SuperSonics made their playoff debut, winning the first playoff series in franchise history against the Detroit Pistons. Seattle would go on to make consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 1978 and 1979, winning the championship the latter year.

The Kansas City-Omaha Kings made their first playoff appearance since 1967 as the Cincinnati Royals, and the Houston Rockets made their first playoff appearance since 1969 as the San Diego Rockets.

The 1975 playoffs expanded the number of playoff qualifiers to 10; it would be expanded again to 12 in 1977 and again to its current number of 16 in 1984.

At the time, this was the closest the Chicago Bulls came to an NBA title, losing to the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals 4–3. This was their second and final Western Conference Finals appearance as they would move to the Eastern Conference in 1980. They would not reach the East Finals until 1989, and would not win a title until 1991.

Bracket

First Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
E1 Boston* 4
E4 Houston 2 E4 Houston 1
E5 New York 1 Eastern ConferenceE1 Boston* 2
E2 Washington* 4
E3 Buffalo 3
E2 Washington* 4
E2 Washington* 0
W1 Golden State* 4
W1 Golden State* 4
W4 Seattle 2 W4 Seattle 2
W5 Detroit 1 Western ConferenceW1 Golden State* 4
W2 Chicago* 3
W3 Kansas City–Omaha 2
W2 Chicago* 4
  • * Division winner
  • Bold Series winner
  • Italic Team with home-court advantage

First round

Eastern Conference first round

(4) Houston Rockets vs. (5) New York Knicks

April 8
New York Knicks 84, Houston Rockets 99
Scoring by quarter: 27–24, 12–22, 21–21, 24–32
Pts: Walt Frazier 21
Rebs: Phil Jackson 13
Asts: Walt Frazier 11
Pts: Calvin Murphy 22
Rebs: Kevin Kunnert 14
Asts: Mike Newlin 5
Houston leads series, 1–0
Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas
Attendance: 10,218
April 10
Houston Rockets 96, New York Knicks 106
Scoring by quarter: 15–27, 21–27, 27–30, 33–22
Pts: Rudy Tomjanovich 22
Rebs: Kevin Kunnert 9
Asts: Newlin, Ratleff 4 each
Pts: Walt Frazier 26
Rebs: Phil Jackson 10
Asts: Harthorne Wingo 7
Series tied, 1–1
April 12
New York Knicks 86, Houston Rockets 118
Scoring by quarter: 25–28, 18–26, 17–28, 26–36
Pts: Walt Frazier 24
Rebs: Harthorne Wingo 10
Asts: Walt Frazier 4
Pts: Rudy Tomjanovich 25
Rebs: Rudy Tomjanovich 10
Asts: Murphy, Newlin 9 each
Houston wins series, 2–1
Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas
Attendance: 10,218

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[1]

Western Conference first round

(4) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (5) Detroit Pistons

April 8
Detroit Pistons 77, Seattle SuperSonics 90
Scoring by quarter: 12–22, 23–26, 25–20, 17–22
Pts: Howard Porter 21
Rebs: Bob Lanier 14
Asts: Bob Lanier 9
Pts: Fred Brown 23
Rebs: Spencer Haywood 14
Asts: Slick Watts 6
Seattle leads series, 1–0
April 10
Seattle SuperSonics 106, Detroit Pistons 122
Scoring by quarter: 24–33, 25–24, 23–36, 34–29
Pts: Fred Brown 30
Rebs: Tommy Burleson 10
Asts: Slick Watts 8
Pts: Bing, Trapp 24 each
Rebs: George Trapp 14
Asts: Dave Bing 11
Series tied, 1–1
Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Attendance: 10,490
April 12
Detroit Pistons 93, Seattle SuperSonics 100
Scoring by quarter: 19–23, 22–33, 23–16, 29–28
Pts: Bob Lanier 29
Rebs: Curtis Rowe 13
Asts: Dave Bing 10
Pts: Tommy Burleson 26
Rebs: Tommy Burleson 16
Asts: Slick Watts 6
Seattle wins series, 2–1

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[2]

Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference semifinals

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (4) Houston Rockets

April 14
Houston Rockets 106, Boston Celtics 123
Scoring by quarter: 21–28, 31–35, 23–28, 31–32
Pts: Rudy Tomjanovich 30
Rebs: Tomjanovich, Riley 9 each
Asts: Calvin Murphy 6
Pts: John Havlicek 30
Rebs: Dave Cowens 19
Asts: John Havlicek 9
Boston leads series, 1–0
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
April 16
Houston Rockets 100, Boston Celtics 112
Scoring by quarter: 26–27, 21–24, 23–38, 30–23
Pts: Calvin Murphy 30
Rebs: Kevin Kunnert 10
Asts: Calvin Murphy 9
Pts: Dave Cowens 28
Rebs: Dave Cowens 18
Asts: John Havlicek 7
Boston leads series, 2–0
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 13,254
April 19
Boston Celtics 102, Houston Rockets 117
Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 26–28, 20–24, 34–41
Pts: Don Nelson 21
Rebs: Havlicek, Silas 8 each
Asts: Silas, White 5 each
Pts: Rudy Tomjanovich 28
Rebs: Rudy Tomjanovich 12
Asts: Murphy, Hawes 7 each
Boston leads series, 2–1
Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas
Attendance: 10,218
April 22
Boston Celtics 122, Houston Rockets 117
Scoring by quarter: 30–33, 32–18, 31–26, 29–40
Pts: Dave Cowens 31 Pts: Calvin Murphy 35
Boston leads series, 3–1
Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas
Attendance: 10,218
April 24
Houston Rockets 115, Boston Celtics 128
Scoring by quarter: 22–28, 33–32, 28–36, 32–32
Pts: Tomjanovich, Murphy 27 each
Rebs: Ed Ratleff 6
Asts: Ed Ratleff 6
Pts: John Havlicek 28
Rebs: Dave Cowens 12
Asts: John Havlicek 11
Boston wins series, 4–1
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[3]

(2) Washington Bullets vs. (3) Buffalo Braves

April 10
Buffalo Braves 113, Washington Bullets 102
Scoring by quarter: 29–26, 23–30, 30–18, 31–28
Pts: Bob McAdoo 35
Rebs: Bob McAdoo 14
Asts: Randy Smith 9
Pts: Phil Chenier 23
Rebs: Elvin Hayes 9
Asts: Jimmy Jones 5
Buffalo leads series, 1–0
April 12
Washington Bullets 120, Buffalo Braves 106
Scoring by quarter: 28–29, 32–29, 24–17, 36–31
Pts: Elvin Hayes 34
Rebs: Wes Unseld 25
Asts: Kevin Porter 10
Pts: Bob McAdoo 36
Rebs: Gar Heard 10
Asts: Randy Smith 7
Series tied, 1–1
April 16
Buffalo Braves 96, Washington Bullets 111
Scoring by quarter: 29–24, 23–29, 18–28, 26–30
Pts: Bob McAdoo 34
Rebs: Bob McAdoo 19
Asts: Randy Smith 7
Pts: Elvin Hayes 30
Rebs: Wes Unseld 18
Asts: Kevin Porter 13
Washington leads series, 2–1
April 18
Washington Bullets 102, Buffalo Braves 108
Scoring by quarter: 25–23, 31–24, 19–31, 27–30
Pts: Nick Weatherspoon 21
Rebs: Wes Unseld 23
Asts: Kevin Porter 10
Pts: Bob McAdoo 50
Rebs: Bob McAdoo 21
Asts: Randy Smith 10
Series tied, 2–2
April 20
Buffalo Braves 93, Washington Bullets 97
Scoring by quarter: 23–18, 16–24, 26–19, 28–36
Pts: Bob McAdoo 34
Rebs: Gar Heard 14
Asts: Heard, Smith 5 each
Pts: Elvin Hayes 46
Rebs: Hayes, Unseld 12 each
Asts: Kevin Porter 8
Washington leads series, 3–2
April 23
Washington Bullets 96, Buffalo Braves 102
Scoring by quarter: 26–32, 31–27, 16–20, 23–23
Pts: Phil Chenier 25
Rebs: Wes Unseld 12
Asts: Unseld, Chenier 6 each
Pts: Bob McAdoo 37
Rebs: Bob McAdoo 10
Asts: Smith, Weiss 7 each
Series tied, 3–3
April 25
Buffalo Braves 96, Washington Bullets 115
Scoring by quarter: 13–28, 25–28, 26–25, 32–34
Pts: Bob McAdoo 36
Rebs: Gar Heard 14
Asts: Randy Smith 4
Pts: Phil Chenier 39
Rebs: Wes Unseld 12
Asts: Kevin Porter 8
Washington wins series, 4–3

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[4]

Western Conference semifinals

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (4) Seattle SuperSonics

April 14
Seattle SuperSonics 96, Golden State Warriors 123
Scoring by quarter: 18–27, 24–33, 27–32, 27–31
Pts: Leonard Gray 20
Rebs: Leonard Gray 8
Asts: Watts, Brown 4 each
Pts: Rick Barry 39
Rebs: Clifford Ray 13
Asts: Rick Barry 11
Golden State leads series, 1–0
April 16
Seattle SuperSonics 100, Golden State Warriors 99
Scoring by quarter: 24–26, 25–29, 26–23, 25–21
Pts: Spencer Haywood 28
Rebs: Spencer Haywood 15
Asts: Slick Watts 7
Pts: Rick Barry 29
Rebs: Ray, Dickey 10 each
Asts: Barry, Beard 6 each
Series tied, 1–1
April 17
Golden State Warriors 105, Seattle SuperSonics 96
Scoring by quarter: 29–28, 23–22, 26–24, 27–22
Pts: Rick Barry 33
Rebs: George Johnson 13
Asts: Rick Barry 7
Pts: Tommy Burleson 25
Rebs: Tommy Burleson 11
Asts: Slick Watts 9
Golden State leads series, 2–1
April 19
Golden State Warriors 94, Seattle SuperSonics 111
Scoring by quarter: 22–23, 25–34, 25–28, 22–26
Pts: Jamaal Wilkes 22
Rebs: Wilkes, Ray 9 each
Asts: three players 3 each
Pts: Fred Brown 37
Rebs: Tommy Burleson 15
Asts: Slick Watts 10
Series tied, 2–2
April 22
Seattle SuperSonics 100, Golden State Warriors 124
Scoring by quarter: 17–32, 29–25, 21–34, 33–33
Pts: three players 15 each
Rebs: Tommy Burleson 8
Asts: Leonard Gray 5
Pts: Jamaal Wilkes 24
Rebs: Ray, G. Johnson 13
Asts: Rick Barry 10
Golden State leads series, 3–2
April 24
Golden State Warriors 105, Seattle SuperSonics 96
Scoring by quarter: 28–20, 18–18, 34–28, 25–30
Pts: Rick Barry 31
Rebs: George Johnson 15
Asts: Charles Johnson 6
Pts: Slick Watts 24
Rebs: Tommy Burleson 11
Asts: Slick Watts 11
Golden State wins series, 4–2

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[5]

(2) Chicago Bulls vs. (3) Kansas City-Omaha Kings

April 9
Kansas City–Omaha Kings 89, Chicago Bulls 95
Scoring by quarter: 22–34, 21–20, 21–17, 25–24
Pts: Larry McNeill 22
Rebs: Sam Lacey 13
Asts: Tiny Archibald 7
Pts: Bob Love 38
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 12
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 5
Chicago leads series, 1–0
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 15,433
April 13
Chicago Bulls 95, Kansas City–Omaha Kings 102
Scoring by quarter: 25–29, 26–26, 22–28, 22–19
Pts: Chet Walker 20
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 12
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 3
Pts: Jimmy Walker 26
Rebs: Sam Lacey 20
Asts: Tiny Archibald 12
Series tied, 1–1
April 16
Kansas City–Omaha Kings 90, Chicago Bulls 93
Scoring by quarter: 24–26, 25–28, 20–20, 21–19
Pts: Tiny Archibald 18
Rebs: Sam Lacey 18
Asts: Scott Wedman 4
Pts: Bob Love 31
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 24
Asts: Norm Van Lier 6
Chicago leads series, 2–1
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 18,347
April 18
Chicago Bulls 100, Kansas City–Omaha Kings 104 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 22–22, 19–23, 29–27, 24–22, Overtime: 6–10
Pts: Bob Love 34
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 17
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 5
Pts: Tiny Archibald 28
Rebs: Sam Lacey 16
Asts: Sam Lacey 8
Series tied, 2–2
April 20
Kansas City–Omaha Kings 77, Chicago Bulls 104
Scoring by quarter: 13–20, 18–27, 23–22, 23–35
Pts: Wedman, Archibald 13 each
Rebs: Sam Lacey 12
Asts: Sam Lacey 5
Pts: Bob Love 30
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 19
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 8
Chicago leads series, 3–2
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 16,247
April 23
Chicago Bulls 101, Kansas City–Omaha Kings 89
Scoring by quarter: 23–22, 27–22, 24–21, 27–24
Pts: Bob Love 26
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 14
Asts: Norm Van Lier 4
Pts: Tiny Archibald 26
Rebs: Sam Lacey 15
Asts: Sam Lacey 5
Chicago 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) Washington Bullets

April 27
Washington Bullets 100, Boston Celtics 95
Scoring by quarter: 23–26, 20–29, 27–18, 30–22
Pts: Elvin Hayes 34
Rebs: Wes Unseld 14
Asts: Kevin Porter 7
Pts: Jo Jo White 27
Rebs: Dave Cowens 19
Asts: Paul Silas 6
Washington leads series, 1–0
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
April 30
Boston Celtics 92, Washington Bullets 117
Scoring by quarter: 20–31, 24–29, 30–24, 18–33
Pts: Don Nelson 23
Rebs: Paul Silas 17
Asts: Jo Jo White 7
Pts: Elvin Hayes 29
Rebs: Wes Unseld 16
Asts: Kevin Porter 6
Washington leads series, 2–0
May 3
Washington Bullets 90, Boston Celtics 101
Scoring by quarter: 33–31, 24–29, 10–21, 23–20
Pts: Elvin Hayes 23
Rebs: Wes Unseld 15
Asts: Kevin Porter 5
Pts: John Havlicek 26
Rebs: Paul Silas 25
Asts: Jo Jo White 7
Washington leads series, 2–1
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
May 7
Boston Celtics 108, Washington Bullets 119
Scoring by quarter: 26–29, 28–36, 34–34, 20–20
Pts: Jo Jo White 32
Rebs: Dave Cowens 17
Asts: Jo Jo White 7
Pts: Phil Chenier 27
Rebs: Wes Unseld 25
Asts: Wes Unseld 7
Washington leads series, 3–1
May 9
Washington Bullets 99, Boston Celtics 103
Scoring by quarter: 23–24, 31–35, 23–20, 22–24
Pts: Phil Chenier 32
Rebs: Wes Unseld 13
Asts: Kevin Porter 6
Pts: Dave Cowens 27
Rebs: Dave Cowens 12
Asts: Don Chaney 5
Washington leads series, 3–2
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
May 11
Boston Celtics 92, Washington Bullets 98
Scoring by quarter: 18–26, 22–29, 26–18, 26–25
Pts: Dave Cowens 23
Rebs: Dave Cowens 21
Asts: Jo Jo White 6
Pts: Phil Chenier 24
Rebs: Wes Unseld 17
Asts: Kevin Porter 11
Washington wins series, 4–2

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[7]

Western Conference finals

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (2) Chicago Bulls

April 27
Chicago Bulls 89, Golden State Warriors 107
Scoring by quarter: 24–26, 15–20, 26–26, 24–35
Pts: Bob Love 37
Rebs: Nate Thurmond 7
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 4
Pts: Rick Barry 38
Rebs: George Johnson 11
Asts: Butch Beard 9
Golden State leads series, 1–0
April 30
Golden State Warriors 89, Chicago Bulls 90
Scoring by quarter: 20–21, 20–22, 26–19, 23–28
Pts: Rick Barry 26
Rebs: Clifford Ray 7
Asts: Rick Barry 8
Pts: Chet Walker 28
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 14
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 5
Series tied, 1–1
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 18,533
May 4
Golden State Warriors 101, Chicago Bulls 108
Scoring by quarter: 37–26, 13–26, 21–29, 30–27
Pts: Butch Beard 28
Rebs: Rick Barry 7
Asts: Rick Barry 9
Pts: Norm Van Lier 35
Rebs: Nate Thurmond 12
Asts: Norm Van Lier 9
Chicago leads series, 2–1
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 19,128
May 6
Chicago Bulls 106, Golden State Warriors 111
Scoring by quarter: 35–18, 17–32, 32–32, 22–29
Pts: Bob Love 27
Rebs: Jerry Sloan 12
Asts: Norm Van Lier 9
Pts: Rick Barry 36
Rebs: Clifford Ray 18
Asts: Rick Barry 9
Series tied, 2–2
May 8
Chicago Bulls 89, Golden State Warriors 79
Scoring by quarter: 25–20, 22–19, 20–17, 22–23
Pts: Chet Walker 21
Rebs: Sloan, Boerwinkle 10 each
Asts: Van Lier, Boerwinkle 4 each
Pts: Rick Barry 20
Rebs: Clifford Ray 12
Asts: Rick Barry 4
Chicago leads series, 3–2
May 11
Golden State Warriors 86, Chicago Bulls 72
Scoring by quarter: 18–25, 28–13, 21–22, 19–12
Pts: Rick Barry 36
Rebs: Bill Bridges 11
Asts: three players 3 each
Pts: Norm Van Lier 24
Rebs: Sloan, Boerwinkle 8 each
Asts: Nate Thurmond 5
Series tied, 3–3
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 19,594
May 14
Chicago Bulls 79, Golden State Warriors 83
Scoring by quarter: 21–16, 26–20, 18–23, 14–24
Pts: Chet Walker 21
Rebs: Tom Boerwinkle 16
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 6
Pts: Jamaal Wilkes 23
Rebs: Clifford Ray 12
Asts: Rick Barry 4
Golden State wins series, 4–3

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[8]

NBA Finals: (E2) Washington Bullets vs. (W1) Golden State Warriors

May 18
Golden State Warriors 101, Washington Bullets 95
Scoring by quarter: 17–27, 23–27, 31–18, 30–23
Pts: Rick Barry 24
Rebs: Clifford Ray 16
Asts: Rick Barry 5
Pts: Elvin Hayes 29
Rebs: Hayes, Unseld 16 each
Asts: Wes Unseld 6
Golden State leads series, 1–0
Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland
Attendance: 19,035
Referees: Joe Gushue, Earl Strom
May 20
Washington Bullets 91, Golden State Warriors 92
Scoring by quarter: 28–19, 24–27, 21–27, 18–19
Pts: Phil Chenier 30
Rebs: Wes Unseld 20
Asts: Kevin Porter 8
Pts: Rick Barry 36
Rebs: Rick Barry 9
Asts: three players 4 each
Golden State leads series, 2–0
Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Attendance: 13,225
Referees: Richie Powers, Darell Garretson
May 23
Washington Bullets 101, Golden State Warriors 109
Scoring by quarter: 21–26, 27–24, 23–27, 30–32
Pts: Elvin Hayes 24
Rebs: Wes Unseld 15
Asts: Kevin Porter 6
Pts: Rick Barry 38
Rebs: Jamaal Wilkes 10
Asts: Rick Barry 6
Golden State leads series, 3–0
Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Attendance: 13,225
Referees: Jake O'Donnell, Don Murphy
May 25
Golden State Warriors 96, Washington Bullets 95
Scoring by quarter: 20–30, 28–22, 22–21, 26–22
Pts: Rick Barry 20
Rebs: Clifford Ray 11
Asts: Rick Barry 5
Pts: Phil Chenier 26
Rebs: Wes Unseld 16
Asts: Phil Chenier 11
Golden State wins series, 4–0
Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland
Attendance: 19,035
Referees: Richie Powers, Manny Sokol

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[9]

See also

References

  1. "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  2. "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  3. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Houston Rockets (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Clippers versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  6. "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  7. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  8. "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Golden State Warriors (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  9. "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
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