June 5
June 3
Above - Bill Walton calling for ball from Lionel Hollins. Image captured by Youtube.
Philadelphia was able to finally mount an offensive threat in the early stages of the third quarter to close within a single point at 53-52. The Sixers twice had an opportunity to tie or go ahead but were unable to do so. George McGinnis, mired in a shooting slump, missed two free throws and Julius Erving missed a jumper from the side. Gross then hit a jumper, fed Johnny Davis and then Dave Twardzik. Suddenly the Blazers caught fire again and jumped to a 79-60 lead late in the third quarter. “Defense has sparked us all year and it sparked us tonight, especially in the third quarter,” said Gross. “Defense get us excited.” The Blazers continued to run and score getting to a 22 point lead at 91-69 four minuted into the final quarter. Philadelphia made a few runs but were unable to get any closer than five points. “We were shaken at times,” said Ramsay, “but not in the fourth quarter. We kept our poise in the tough situations.”
Erving led the Sixers in scoring with 37 points and gathered nine rebounds in addition to passing for seven assists. “We’ve got to get more guys involved in the offense,” said Erving. “We’re strongest when we get guys involved.” Ramsay noted that, “There is no one in the world who can guard him one-up. We have good ones in Gross, Calhoun and Steele but it’s no contest. Collins added 23 points though he took 20 shots to get those points. Henry Bibby had 16 points while McGinnis added 11 points. Caldwell Jones led the Sixers with 13 rebounds while McGinnis added nine rebounds. “We came back, but we never had the chance to win,” said Philadelphia coach Gene Shue. “Portland had the game under control completely after we let them dominate us in the third quarter. We haven’t played well in the last three games.” This was the first time all season that Philadelphia lost three games in a row. |
More images, above and below,captured from Game 5 on Youtube
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Gross led the Blazers with 25 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Gross passed for six assists as well. Lucas had 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Bill Walton only scored 14 points but gathered 24 rebounds. “The Sixers did a good job of keeping the ball out of my hands,” said Walton. “My contributions were more on defense. I thought Gross and Davis had tremendous games.” Lionel Hollins scored 14 points while Johnny Davis added 11 points and passed for eight assists. Dave Twardzik scored 16 points off the bench.
May 31
PORTLAND — After four games, the Blazers and Sixers are back to even with both teams winning two games but momentum may have switched teams following the Blazers 130-98 thumping. “The Portland team was absolutely super,” said Philadelphia coach Gene Shue. “They threw us out of what we wanted to do at the start and had control all the way.” Blazer coach Jack Ramsay concurred. “We played a super game. Needless to say, I’m very pleased.” The Blazers largest lead was 41 points with the score at 126-85 and the 32 point victory is the third biggest in NBA Finals history. The Boston Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks in 1961 by 34 points and the Los Angeles Lakers by 33 in 1965. The teams travel to Philadelphia for Game 5 which will be played on June 3.
Maurice Lucas broke a 2-2 tie with a three-point play and the Blazers never looked back. With a score of 9-2 only two minutes into the game, Shue called time to regroup his players but had to do so again when the Blazers kept the pace jumping to a 17-4 lead. Lucas led the Blazers in the quarter with 10 points and 2 blocked shots. Bill Walton added eight points and 3 blocks and ended the quarter with a 29-16 lead. “We were really moving, just like Sunday,” said Lionel Hollins referring to the Blazers 129-107 Game 3 victory. Portland continued to score at will in the second quarter, eventually getting to a 19-point lead at 37-18, despite Julius Erving scoring 18 first half points, before settling to a 57-46 halftime lead. Doug Collins opened the third quarter with two quick baskets to pull the Sixers to within 57-50 but that was the closest Philadelphia would get. Hollins would score eight points over the next three minutes to get Portland back to a double-digit lead at 71-57 with 7:02 to go but at that point Walton was whistled for his fifth foul and was relegated to the bench. |
Lloyd Neal replaced Walton and led the Blazers on another run of 27-10 and the Blazers ended the quarter with a 98-67 lead. Walton never returned to the game, playing only 26 minutes. “We thought we could get back in it then,” said Collins. “I figured we could get it down to six or eight by the fourth quarter but all of a sudden we down 30. It was like a clinic.”
Julius Erving again led the Sixers in scoring with 24 points, getting 10 points from the free throw line, and grabbed six rebounds. Darryl Dawkins had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench while Lloyd Free scored 14 points. Collins was the only other Sixer in double figures with 11 points. Philadelphia committed 30 turnovers leading to 40 points for the Blazers.
Julius Erving again led the Sixers in scoring with 24 points, getting 10 points from the free throw line, and grabbed six rebounds. Darryl Dawkins had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench while Lloyd Free scored 14 points. Collins was the only other Sixer in double figures with 11 points. Philadelphia committed 30 turnovers leading to 40 points for the Blazers.
Lionel Hollins led Portland with 25 points and passed for six assists while Maurice Lucas was right behind with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Walton, who had 12 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes, noted after the game, “With those kind of minutes, I could play forever.” Herm Gilliam and Wally Walker came off the bench and scored 12 and 10 points respectively in the fourth quarter. Johnny Davis was the only starter to play in the fourth quarter and ended the game with nine points.
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“We were over anxious in the first two game,” said Blazer coach Jack Ramsay. “Especially Maurice and Lionel. They’ve toned down their emotional level and are playing more within the team concept, instead of going so much to their own skills.” The Blazers have defeated the Sixers in four home games and lost four game in Philadelphia with Ramsay saying, “We face a three-game series with two of the games in Philadelphia. We must win there and we still haven’t been able to do that.” Sixers coach Shue agreed mentioning that the Blazers were “A super home team.”
May 29
Entering the final quarter with an 87-82 lead, the Blazers finally exploded with a two key Bill Walton dunks. Henry Bibby connected on a free throw when Lionel Hollins committed his fifth foul to move Philadelphia to within four points at 91-87 and the Blazers came down the court. Bob Gross saw Walton cut to the basket and lobbed the ball and Walton was able to push the ball through as he fell to the ground. “I’ve never seen a play like that in my life,” said Bibby, Walton’s roommate at UCLA, referring to the first dunk. “It was a great one.” Walton commented “That was a play that Bobby and I use quite a bit. We have played together long enough that we sense when to try the lob.”
Julius Erving led all scorers with 28 points as well as grabbing 11 rebounds and passing for five assists and wasn’t surprised with the Blazers he saw today. “I’ve seen Portland play this way before, the first time we came out here.” said Erving reflecting back on the Blazers 146-104 win in November. Doug Collins, with a cut still visible above his eye from the Darryl Dawkins punch in Game 2, scored 21 points. “We weren’t making the transition.” said Collins. “They came out early, started a quick tempo and did what they wanted to do.” George McGinnis, who grabbed 12 rebounds, also had 14 points but shot 6-17 from the field. Dawkins who provided much muscle for the Sixers in the first two games, was less intimidating after Maurice Lucas went to shake hands with him during the opening introductions, scored six points and gathered nine rebounds.
All five Blazers starters scored in double figures with Lucas leading the way with 27 points and while grabbing 12 rebounds. Walton scored 20 points and 18 rebounds. Walton also passed for nine assists. Gross had 19 points with five assists. Johnny Davis ended with 18 points after his opening quarter of 10 while Lionel Hollins struggled shooting 4-17 from the field but ended with 15 points. Neal had 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. “We played our game today, which means we had good player and good ball movement.” said Neal
All five Blazers starters scored in double figures with Lucas leading the way with 27 points and while grabbing 12 rebounds. Walton scored 20 points and 18 rebounds. Walton also passed for nine assists. Gross had 19 points with five assists. Johnny Davis ended with 18 points after his opening quarter of 10 while Lionel Hollins struggled shooting 4-17 from the field but ended with 15 points. Neal had 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. “We played our game today, which means we had good player and good ball movement.” said Neal
May 26
With the score 96-76 Herm Gilliam missed an easy jumper in the lane and Darryl Dawkins and Bob Gross went up for the rebound. As the players came back to the floor and their arms entangled, Dawkins swung Gross to the ground. When both players rose, words were exchanged and Gross pointed at Dawkins, who took offense and charged towards him, swinging his fist towards Gross but connecting instead with teammate Doug Collins, who suffered a cut above his eye. “I was trying to help him (by holding Gross) and he ends up hitting me,” said Collins.
Dawkins pedaled away from Gross after the swing towards mid-court before Lucas hit Dawkins in the head from behind and the fight started. With fists up like heavyweight boxers, Dawkins and Lucas each held their ground as players, referees, security guards, and coaches all tried to separate the two players. When order was restored after about 10 minutes, both players were ejected. “In the playoffs, those things happen,” said Shue. “I just wanted to stop the fight,” said Blazer coach Jack Ramsay. Collins led the Sixers with 27 points while Erving added 20 points. Henry Bibby added 15 points and passed for 11 assists. Caldwell Jones, who continued to bring the ball up the court on occasion, had 10 points and 14 rebounds. George McGinnis continued to struggle from the field but scored 12 points and grab 11 rebounds. Bill Walton was the high Blazer scorer with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Lucas contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds before his ejection. Lionel Hollins added 14 points. |
Bob Gross and Darryl Dawkins fall to ground above after attempting to rebound a miss shot. Below words are exchanged before Dawkins attempts to swing at Gross. Images captured from Youtube.
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May 22
The Blazers and Sixers traded baskets for the most part in the second quarter as neither team gained more than a four point advantage. The Blazers last four point lead was at 39-35 when Maurice Lucas scored his eighth point whereas the Sixers last was just before the half at 55-51. Hollins two free-throws with one-second on the clock cut the Philadelphia lead to 55-53. Erving and Gross, each matched against the other on defense, were the teams respective scorers with 14 points each. The quarter witnessed heated exchanges between Lucas and Steve Mix on two occasions before Lucas and Darryl Dawkins also had words after a stare-down. Referees Earl Strom and Ed Vanak were able to keep the peace.
Philadelphia scored the first basket of the third quarter when Erving intercepted a pass near the top of the key and ran the floor for a slam from the left side of the key. Erving would continue to score during the quarter, ending it with 24 points. The Sixers other All-Star forward, George McGinnis, continued to struggle from the field but was sent to the bench just four minutes into the third when called for his fifth foul but Philadelphia was able to build their lead, getting to an 86-78 lead after three quarters. In the final quarter the Blazers scraped to get back to 86-85 when Walton scored a jumper with 9:39 and looked to go ahead when Davis stole the ball before another Blazer turnover from a bad pass. After a Sixers missed shot, the Blazers again looked for the go-ahead basket before Steve Mix stole a pass and scored a layup. Soon after the Blazers had two more untimely turnovers before Erving scored to put the Sixers back 93-89 as Gross was called for his sixth foul. “We had three good chance to go ahead and didn’t do it,” said Herm Gilliam. |
Images captured from YouTube show Bill Walton, above, looking to Larry Steele cutting baseline. Below, Maurice Lucas holds the ball while Herm Gilliam cuts through the key.
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The Sixers kept the offensive pressure on getting to a 99-91 with 4:21 left in the game. The Blazers made a final push to close to 101-99 with 1:48 left when Lucas, who didn’t start the second half due to stomach issues, hit two baskets. Twenty-seconds later though, Lucas would join Gross on the Blazers bench with his sixth foul. Dawkins would score the two foul shots and add another moments later. With 10-seconds remaining Mix hit a free throw to give Philadelphia a 107-99 lead while Erving and Collins did a little victory dance on the side lines to celebrate the victory.
Julius Erving led the Sixers with 33 points while gathering five rebounds. “They took away the layup,” said Erving. “That left me with short jumpers or the pass. I got a chance to use a lot of my skills today, not only shooting but rebounding, on defense and passing. I was trying to be a factor all the time.” Doug Collins had 30 points with six rebounds and six assists. “Collins didn’t do anything different,” said Lionel Hollins. “He just got open more. I didn’t play well against him.” Hollins got three quick fouls and commented, “When you get early fouls like that, you have to stay away from the guy some.” Caldwell Jones led Philadelphia with 11 rebounds before fouling out.
Bill Walton, shooting 11-17 from the field, led the Blazers with 28 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. Maurice Lucas added 18 points and seven rebounds before fouling out. “Luke had a tough time,” said Blazers trainer Ron Culp. “He threw up before the game and again at halftime. That’s why he didn’t start the second half. It’s tied with the chest cold he has been fighting. I’m sure he’ll be okay in a couple of days.” Bob Gross had 16 16 points before he fouled out. Herm Gilliam came off the bench to add 14 points. “We’ll be better in the next game,” said Gilliam. “We expected this to be a tough series and it is tough.” Ramsay didn’t want to blame the nine-day layoff after the sweep of the Lakers but most of the players pointed to a rusty play as an excuse.
Julius Erving led the Sixers with 33 points while gathering five rebounds. “They took away the layup,” said Erving. “That left me with short jumpers or the pass. I got a chance to use a lot of my skills today, not only shooting but rebounding, on defense and passing. I was trying to be a factor all the time.” Doug Collins had 30 points with six rebounds and six assists. “Collins didn’t do anything different,” said Lionel Hollins. “He just got open more. I didn’t play well against him.” Hollins got three quick fouls and commented, “When you get early fouls like that, you have to stay away from the guy some.” Caldwell Jones led Philadelphia with 11 rebounds before fouling out.
Bill Walton, shooting 11-17 from the field, led the Blazers with 28 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. Maurice Lucas added 18 points and seven rebounds before fouling out. “Luke had a tough time,” said Blazers trainer Ron Culp. “He threw up before the game and again at halftime. That’s why he didn’t start the second half. It’s tied with the chest cold he has been fighting. I’m sure he’ll be okay in a couple of days.” Bob Gross had 16 16 points before he fouled out. Herm Gilliam came off the bench to add 14 points. “We’ll be better in the next game,” said Gilliam. “We expected this to be a tough series and it is tough.” Ramsay didn’t want to blame the nine-day layoff after the sweep of the Lakers but most of the players pointed to a rusty play as an excuse.