1980 NBA Playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 1980 NBA Playoffs
were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
's 1979-1980 season
. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference
champion Los Angeles Lakers
defeating the Eastern Conference
champion Philadelphia 76ers
four games to two in the Finals
. The Lakers earned their seventh NBA championship, their second since moving from Minneapolis
.
Magic Johnson
of the Lakers became the first and (as of 2010), only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award, leading the Lakers to a clinching victory in Game 6 with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. With center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
out with a severely sprained ankle, Johnson started at center in his stead, and ultimately played all five positions on the court during the game.
Philadelphia earned their third Eastern Conference championship but were unsuccessful in capturing their second NBA championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks
appeared in the playoffs for the last time as a member of the Western Conference
; the Houston Rockets
and San Antonio Spurs
likewise appeared for the last time playing for the Eastern Conference
. They would switch conferences (along with the Chicago Bulls
) in the 1980-81 season
with the addition of the Dallas Mavericks
.
1st Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers and (2) Milwaukee Bucks have first-round byes.
(3) Seattle SuperSonics
vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers
:
Sonics win series 2-1
(4) Phoenix Suns
vs. (5) Kansas City Kings:
Suns win series 2-1
Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers
vs. (4) Phoenix Suns
:
Lakers win series 4-1
The Suns were no match for the Lakers, losing the first three games before winning Game 4. The Lakers cruised at home in Game 5.
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
:
Sonics win series 4-3
The Sonics won a thrilling 7-game series overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to beat the Bucks in which 6 of the 7 games were decided by 5 points or less.
Conference Finals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers
vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
:
Lakers win series 4-1
After the Lakers lost Game 1 in heartbreaking fashion by 1 point they swept the Sonics out of the Playoffs in 4 straight, including a 20-point comeback in game 4.
(1) Boston Celtics and (2) Atlanta Hawks have first round byes.
(3) Philadelphia 76ers
vs. (6) Washington Bullets:
76ers win series 2-0
(4) Houston Rockets
vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs
:
Rockets win series 2-1
Conference Semifinals
(1) Boston Celtics
vs. (4) Houston Rockets
:
Celtics win series 4-0
The Celtics recorded an easy sweep over the Rockets in a one sided series winning every game by 18 or 19 points. The teams would meet the following year in the 1981 NBA finals.
(2) Atlanta Hawks
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
:
76ers win series 4-1
The Sixers took down the Hawks, destroying them on their home court in Game 4. The home team won every other game.
Conference Finals
(1) Boston Celtics
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
:
76ers win series 4-1
The inexperienced Celtics lost in a hard fought 5 game series, and would have to wait another year to get their revenge on the Sixers.
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
:
Lakers win series 4-2
It was a hard fought series, the teams splitting the first 4 games, going 1-1 each on their court. In Game 4 Julius Erving made an incredible Baseline Move, an incredible, behind-the-board reverse layup. The Lakers took Game 5 at home to go up 3-2. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, in his rookie year, scored 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists in Game 6 starting in place of an injured Kareem in one of the most memorable performances in the history of the NBA as the Lakers routed the Sixers in Philadelphia to claim their first NBA title since 1972.
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's 1979-1980 season
1979-80 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Coach of the Year: Bill Fitch, Boston Celtics*All-NBA First Team:**Paul Westphal, Phoenix Suns...
. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference
Western Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
champion Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
defeating the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
champion Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
four games to two in the Finals
1980 NBA Finals
The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1979–80 NBA season.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP. But midway through Game 5, the Laker center suffered a severely sprained ankle. He managed to come back in the game in the 4th quarter to lead the Lakers to victory...
. The Lakers earned their seventh NBA championship, their second since moving from Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
of the Lakers became the first and (as of 2010), only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award, leading the Lakers to a clinching victory in Game 6 with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. With center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
out with a severely sprained ankle, Johnson started at center in his stead, and ultimately played all five positions on the court during the game.
Philadelphia earned their third Eastern Conference championship but were unsuccessful in capturing their second NBA championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
appeared in the playoffs for the last time as a member of the Western Conference
Western Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
; the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
and San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
likewise appeared for the last time playing for the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
. They would switch conferences (along with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
) in the 1980-81 season
1980-81 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz*Coach of the Year: Jack McKinney, Indiana Pacers*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
with the addition of the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
.
Bracket
Western Conference
Champion: Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
1st Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers and (2) Milwaukee Bucks have first-round byes.
(3) Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
:
Sonics win series 2-1
- Game 1 @ Seattle: Seattle 120, Portland 110
- Game 2 @ Portland: Portland 105, Seattle 95
- Game 3 @ Seattle: Seattle 103, Portland 86
(4) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
vs. (5) Kansas City Kings:
Suns win series 2-1
- Game 1 @ Phoenix: Phoenix 96, Kansas City 93
- Game 2 @ Kansas City: Kansas City 106, Phoenix 96
- Game 3 @ Phoenix: Phoenix 114, Kansas City 99
Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (4) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
:
Lakers win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 119, Phoenix 110
- Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 131, Phoenix 128
- Game 3 @ Phoenix: Los Angeles 108, Phoenix 105
- Game 4 @ Phoenix: Phoenix 127, Los Angeles 101
- Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 126, Phoenix 101
The Suns were no match for the Lakers, losing the first three games before winning Game 4. The Lakers cruised at home in Game 5.
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
:
Sonics win series 4-3
- Game 1 @ Seattle: Seattle 114, Milwaukee 113
- Game 2 @ Seattle: Milwaukee 114, Seattle 112
- Game 3 @ Milwaukee: Milwaukee 95, Seattle 91
- Game 4 @ Milwaukee: Seattle 112, Milwaukee 107
- Game 5 @ Seattle: Milwaukee 108, Seattle 97
- Game 6 @ Milwaukee: Seattle 86, Milwaukee 85
- Game 7 @ Seattle: Seattle 98, Milwaukee 94
The Sonics won a thrilling 7-game series overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to beat the Bucks in which 6 of the 7 games were decided by 5 points or less.
Conference Finals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
:
Lakers win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Seattle 108, Los Angeles 107
- Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 108, Seattle 99
- Game 3 @ Seattle: Los Angeles 104, Seattle 100
- Game 4 @ Seattle: Los Angeles 98, Seattle 93
- Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 111, Seattle 105
After the Lakers lost Game 1 in heartbreaking fashion by 1 point they swept the Sonics out of the Playoffs in 4 straight, including a 20-point comeback in game 4.
Eastern Conference
Champion: Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
(1) Boston Celtics and (2) Atlanta Hawks have first round byes.
(3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
vs. (6) Washington Bullets:
76ers win series 2-0
- Game 1 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 111, Washington 96
- Game 2 @ Washington: Philadelphia 112, Washington 104
(4) Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
:
Rockets win series 2-1
- Game 1 @ Houston: Houston 95, San Antonio 85
- Game 2 @ San Antonio: San Antonio 106, Houston 101
- Game 3 @ Houston: Houston 141, San Antonio 120
Conference Semifinals
(1) Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (4) Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
:
Celtics win series 4-0
- Game 1 @ Boston: Boston 119, Houston 101
- Game 2 @ Boston: Boston 95, Houston 75
- Game 3 @ Houston: Boston 100, Houston 81
- Game 4 @ Houston: Boston 138, Houston 121
The Celtics recorded an easy sweep over the Rockets in a one sided series winning every game by 18 or 19 points. The teams would meet the following year in the 1981 NBA finals.
(2) Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
:
76ers win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 107, Atlanta 104
- Game 2 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 99, Atlanta 92
- Game 3 @ Atlanta: Atlanta 105, Philadelphia 93
- Game 4 @ Atlanta: Philadelphia 107, Atlanta 83
- Game 5 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 105, Atlanta 100
The Sixers took down the Hawks, destroying them on their home court in Game 4. The home team won every other game.
Conference Finals
(1) Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
:
76ers win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Boston: Philadelphia 96, Boston 93
- Game 2 @ Boston: Boston 96, Philadelphia 90
- Game 3 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 99, Boston 97
- Game 4 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 102, Boston 90
- Game 5 @ Boston: Philadelphia 105, Boston 94
The inexperienced Celtics lost in a hard fought 5 game series, and would have to wait another year to get their revenge on the Sixers.
NBA finals
(1) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
:
Lakers win series 4-2
- Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 109, Philadelphia 102
- Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Philadelphia 107, Los Angeles 104
- Game 3 @ Philadelphia: Los Angeles 111, Philadelphia 101
- Game 4 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 105, Los Angeles 102 (Julius ErvingJulius ErvingJulius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
makes the "Up and down") - Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 108, Philadelphia 103 (Kareem Abdul-JabbarKareem Abdul-JabbarKareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
dunks the game winning 3-point play with 33 seconds remaining) - Game 6 @ Philadelphia: Los Angeles 123, Philadelphia 107
It was a hard fought series, the teams splitting the first 4 games, going 1-1 each on their court. In Game 4 Julius Erving made an incredible Baseline Move, an incredible, behind-the-board reverse layup. The Lakers took Game 5 at home to go up 3-2. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, in his rookie year, scored 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists in Game 6 starting in place of an injured Kareem in one of the most memorable performances in the history of the NBA as the Lakers routed the Sixers in Philadelphia to claim their first NBA title since 1972.