1970 NBA playoffs
Knicks win first title, Lakers lose eighth straight finals.
The 1970 NBA playoffs concluded the 1969–70 season of the National Basketball Association. Willis Reed was named Finals MVP.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 1969–70
- Dates
- March 25–May 8, 1970
- Teams
- 8
- Winners
- New York Knicks
- Second
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Award
- Willis Reed (Knicks)
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Boston missed the playoffs for the first time since 1951, despite being the defending champions.
- The second-year Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns made their playoff debuts; the Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
- The Lakers dropped their eighth straight NBA finals series, the previous seven to the Boston Celtics.
NBA Finals: (E1) New York Knicks vs. (W2) Los Angeles Lakers
Jerry West, playing with a jammed thumb suffered in the first half, hit a 60-foot buzzer-beater to tie the game at 102 and force overtime. The Knicks secured the win in overtime on a Willis Reed free throw and a Dick Barnett field goal. West stated the Lakers would win the next game. In the deciding game, Reed surprised fans by walking onto the court during warmups, inspiring the Knicks to the title. This was the third playoff meeting between the teams; the Lakers won the first two while based in Minneapolis.
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