1973 NBA playoffs

1973 NBA playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1972-1973 NBA season, with the Eastern Conference (NBA) and Western Conference (NBA) winners competing for the NBA championship. The New York Knicks, led by Willis Reed and Walt Frazier, won the championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, with Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley (basketball) playing key roles. The playoffs featured notable players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Milwaukee Bucks, Rick Barry of the Golden State Warriors, and John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics.

● Introduction

The 1973 NBA playoffs began on March 30, 1973, and ended on May 10, 1973, with the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. The playoffs included teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Cincinnati Royals, with players like Chet Walker, Pete Maravich, and Nate Archibald. The American Basketball Association's Kentucky Colonels and Indiana Pacers were also competing during this time, with notable players like Dan Issel and George McGinnis. The NBA All-Star Game had taken place on January 23, 1973, at the Chicago Stadium, featuring players like Dave Cowens and Elvin Hayes.

● Playoff Bracket

The playoff bracket consisted of the top four teams from each conference, with the Boston Celtics and Baltimore Bullets competing in the Eastern Conference (NBA) and the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors competing in the Western Conference (NBA). The Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls also made the playoffs, with players like Oscar Robertson and Bob Love (basketball) leading their teams. The Cincinnati Royals and Atlanta Hawks were eliminated in the first round, with players like Tom Van Arsdale and Lou Hudson playing their final games of the season. The New York Knicks defeated the Baltimore Bullets in the conference semifinals, with Earl Monroe and Dave DeBusschere contributing to the team's success.

● Conference Finals

The Eastern Conference (NBA) Finals featured the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics, with the Knicks winning the series 4-3. The Western Conference (NBA) Finals featured the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors, with the Lakers winning the series 4-1. Notable players like John Havlicek and Jo Jo White competed in the conference finals, along with Rick Barry and Nate Thurmond. The Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in the conference semifinals, with players like Chet Walker and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing key roles. The Atlanta Hawks and Cincinnati Royals were also eliminated, with players like Pete Maravich and Tom Van Arsdale ending their seasons.

● NBA Finals

The NBA Finals featured the New York Knicks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Knicks winning the series 4-1. The Knicks were led by Willis Reed and Walt Frazier, with Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley (basketball) contributing to the team's success. The Lakers were led by Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, with Gail Goodrich and Happy Hairston playing key roles. The series was marked by notable performances from players like Earl Monroe and Dave Cowens, with the Knicks ultimately emerging as champions. The NBA championship was the second in the history of the New York Knicks, with the team's first championship coming in 1970 NBA Finals.

● Statistical Leaders

The statistical leaders of the 1973 NBA playoffs included Rick Barry in scoring, with an average of 28.8 points per game. Wilt Chamberlain led the playoffs in rebounding, with an average of 22.9 rebounds per game. Walt Frazier led the playoffs in assists, with an average of 7.3 assists per game. Other notable statistical leaders included John Havlicek in field goal percentage, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in blocks, and Nate Archibald in steals. The New York Knicks had several players among the statistical leaders, including Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere. The Los Angeles Lakers also had several players among the statistical leaders, including Jerry West and Gail Goodrich. Category:1973 in basketball