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1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season

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The 1976–77 season was the Portland Trail Blazers' 7th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The revamped Trail Blazers had an exceptional start, winning 22 of their first 31 games. The team won their last 5 games to post a record of 49–33.[1] The Trail Blazers reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and proceeded to stampede through the postseason. By the time the Blazers had made it to the 1977 NBA Finals, the city of Portland was truly in the grips of "Blazermania".[1] After losing the first two games of the championship series at Philadelphia, the Trail Blazers won four in a row to bring the trophy to Portland. The championship capped the team's first winning season. The Blazers had a remarkable 45–6 record at home, which included a perfect 10–0 mark in the playoffs.[2]

1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Head coachJack Ramsay
General managerHarry Glickman
Owner(s)Larry Weinberg
ArenaMemorial Coliseum
Results
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated 76ers 4–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKOIN
RadioKYTE
< 1975–76 1977–78 >

As of 2024, this remains the only NBA championship in Blazers franchise history, though they made NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992, losing to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, respectively.

Offseason

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Wally Walker was the fifth overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft.

NBA draft

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Main article: 1976 NBA draft

Note: This is not a complete list; only the first three rounds are covered, as well as any other picks by the franchise who played at least one NBA game.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 5 Wally Walker F   United States Virginia
2 20 Major Jones F   United States Albany State
2 22 Johnny Davis G   United States University of Dayton
3 39 Jeff Tyson F   United States Western Michigan University

ABA Dispersal Draft

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= All-Star
= Hall of Fame

The American Basketball Association joined the NBA with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976. Of the teams remaining in the ABA, four joined the NBA. The two teams, the Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis, which folded had their players assigned to a dispersal draft for draft purposes.

Pick Player Nationality NBA Team ABA Team Purchase Price
2 Maurice Lucas (PF)   United States Portland Trail Blazers Spirits of St. Louis $300,000
5 Moses Malone (C)   United States Portland Trail Blazers Spirits of St. Louis $350,000

Roster

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1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
SF 10 Calhoun, Corky 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Penn
G 16 Davis, Johnny 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Dayton
G 3 Gilliam, Herm 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Purdue
SF 30 Gross, Bob 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Long Beach State
G 14 Hollins, Lionel 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Arizona State
C 34 Jones, Robin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Saint Louis
PF 20 Lucas, Maurice 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Marquette
F/C 36 Neal, Lloyd 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Tennessee State
G/F 15 Steele, Larry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Kentucky
PG 13 Twardzik, Dave 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Old Dominion
SF 42 Walker, Wally 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Virginia
C 32 Walton, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 210 lb (95 kg) UCLA
Head coach
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Regular season

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The Trail Blazers played their home games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Just months earlier, the American Basketball Association had ended its ninth and last campaign and the two leagues combined. Despite the changes, it would become the season of Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers. Walton's college performance led to predictions that Walton would be pro basketball's next great player. Yet those dreams went largely unfulfilled because of a series of foot injuries that hampered him. But in the 1977 playoffs, a healthy Walton and his teammates found a chemistry that enabled them to beat one of the most talented pro teams ever assembled.[3] For Walton, it wasn't a question of wanting to play but of being able to. Injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress as a pro player. On the court, when he was healthy, he was a key contributor. He missed 17 games over the 1976–77 season; the Blazers lost 12 of them. With Walton in the lineup, the Blazers were 44–21, and their .677 winning percentage during those games was the best in the league.[3] The dispersal of ABA players had been particularly beneficial to the Blazers. Maurice Lucas was simply the most dominating power forward in the game, and his arrival only boosted Walton's effectiveness in the frontcourt. Lucas led the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game and averaged better than 11 rebounds. Coming over with Lucas from the ABA was lead guard Dave Twardzik. He had four pro seasons with the Virginia Squires of the ABA and was a starter in Ramsay's system. Another key contributor was Lionel Hollins, a second-year player out of Arizona State who averaged nearly 15 points per game.[3]

The Blazers set a team record on November 2, 1976, when they scored 45 points in the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in their 129–116 win.[4]

Season standings

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Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 – 37–4 16–25 11–5
x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 4 35–6 14–27 10–6
x-Golden State Warriors 46 36 .561 7 29–12 17–24 8–8
Seattle SuperSonics 40 42 .488 13 27–14 13–28 6–10
Phoenix Suns 34 48 .415 19 26–15 8–33 5–11
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 –
2 y-Denver Nuggets 50 32 .610 3
3 x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 4
4 x-Golden State Warriors 46 36 .561 7
5 x-Detroit Pistons 44 38 .537 9
6 x-Chicago Bulls 44 38 .537 9
7 Kansas City Kings 40 42 .488 13
8 Seattle SuperSonics 40 42 .488 13
9 Indiana Pacers 36 46 .439 17
10 Phoenix Suns 34 48 .415 19
11 Milwaukee Bucks 30 52 .366 23
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1976–77 NBA records
Team ATL BOS BUF CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NOJ NYK NYN PHI PHO POR SAS SEA WAS
Atlanta – 0–4 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 4–0 1–2 1–3
Boston 4–0 – 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–2 3–1 2–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 4–0 2–2 0–4
Buffalo 0–4 1–3 – 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–3 1–3 1–3 0–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 0–4
Chicago 2–2 2–2 3–1 – 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 3–1 2–2 1–2
Cleveland 2–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 3–1 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3
Denver 2–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 – 3–1 2–2 3–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–2 4–0 2–2
Detroit 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 – 3–1 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 1–3 1–3
Golden State 4–0 3–1 3–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 – 2–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1
Houston 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 0–3 2–2 1–2 – 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1
Indiana 4–0 2–1 3–1 2–2 1–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–4 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4
Kansas City 2–1 1–3 3–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 – 1–3 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2
Los Angeles 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 – 3–1 3–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 4–0
Milwaukee 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 – 1–2 1–3 3–1 1–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3
New Orleans 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–3 2–1 – 3–1 2–2 0–4 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2
N.Y. Knicks 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–3 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–2 2–2
N.Y. Nets 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–2 2–2 – 1–3 2–2 0–3 1–3 1–3 1–3
Philadelphia 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 – 1–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 3–1
Phoenix 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–1 – 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–3
Portland 1–3 3–1 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 – 2–2 3–1 1–2
San Antonio 0–4 0–4 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–1 2–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 – 3–1 2–2
Seattle 2–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 – 3–1
Washington 3–1 4–0 4–0 2–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–1 2–2 1–3 —

Season schedule

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Date Opponent Score Result Record Streak Scoring Leader
October 23, 1976 New York Nets 114–104 Win 1–0 Won 1 Lucas 24
October 26, 1976 Golden State Warriors 110–96 Win 2–0 Won 2 Walton 21
October 28, 1976 at Golden State Warriors 92–112 Loss 2–1 Lost 1 Walton 21
October 30, 1976 Detroit Pistons 131–97 Win 3–1 Won 1 Lucas 24
November 2, 1976 Atlanta Hawks 129–116 Win 4–1 Won 2 Walton 22
November 5, 1976 Philadelphia 76ers 146–104 Win 5–1 Won 3 Walton 26
November 7, 1976 New York Knicks 119–93 Win 6–1 Won 4 Gross 22
November 9, 1976 Kansas City Kings 119–102 Win 7–1 Won 5 Hollins 22
November 11, 1976 at Atlanta Hawks 105–107 Loss 7–2 Lost 1 Walton 28
November 13, 1976 at San Antonio Spurs 101–113 Loss 7–3 Lost 2 Walton 18
November 16, 1976 at New Orleans Jazz 98–100 Loss 7–4 Lost 3 Walton 21
November 19, 1976 Milwaukee Bucks 124–111 Win 8–4 Won 1 Walton 27
November 21, 1976 Buffalo Braves 121–98 Win 9–4 Won 2 Twardzik 19
November 24, 1976 Chicago Bulls 117–115 (OT) Win 10–4 Won 3 Lucas 25
November 26, 1976 at Los Angeles Lakers 96–99 Loss 10–5 Lost 1 Walton 26
November 27, 1976 Washington Bullets 103–95 Win 11–5 Won 1 Lucas 30
November 28, 1976 Indiana Pacers 145–115 Win 12–5 Won 2 Lucas 25
November 30, 1976 at Milwaukee Bucks 106–115 Loss 12–6 Lost 1 Walton 26
December 1, 1976 at Indiana Pacers 101–100 Win 13–6 Won 1 Lucas 23
December 3, 1976 at Phoenix Suns 113–99 Win 14–6 Won 2 Walton 24
December 4, 1976 Milwaukee Bucks 112–108 Win 15–6 Won 3 Walton 25
December 5, 1976 Cleveland Cavaliers 93–89 Win 16–6 Won 4 Lucas 22
December 7, 1976 at New York Knicks 111–94 Win 17–6 Won 5 Lucas 22
December 8, 1976 at Boston Celtics 95–104 Loss 17–7 Lost 1 Lucas 25
December 10, 1976 at Buffalo Braves 103–102 Win 18–7 Won 1 Walton 18
December 11, 1976 at Philadelphia 76ers 107–108 Loss 18–8 Lost 1 Walton 30
December 14, 1976 Houston Rockets 104–84 Win 19–8 Won 1 Gross 22
December 17, 1976 Denver Nuggets 127–105 Win 20–8 Won 2 Walton 22
December 18, 1976 Los Angeles Lakers 111–115 (OT) Loss 20–9 Lost 1 Walton 28
December 21, 1976 Kansas City Kings 99–94 Win 21–9 Won 1 Walton 24
December 25, 1976 Seattle SuperSonics 110–95 Win 22–9 Won 2 Walton 26
December 26, 1976 at Seattle SuperSonics 87–89 Loss 22–10 Lost 1 Walton 26
December 28, 1976 at Chicago Bulls 84–79 Win 23–10 Won 1 Walton 29
December 29, 1976 at Detroit Pistons 111–120 Loss 23–11 Lost 1 Hollins 20
December 30, 1976 at Milwaukee Bucks 107–127 Loss 23–12 Lost 2 Davis 20
January 1, 1977 Chicago Bulls 89–82 Win 24–12 Won 1 Neal 20
January 2, 1977 at Los Angeles Lakers 99–104 Loss 24–13 Lost 1 Lucas 31
January 4, 1977 Boston Celtics 128–84 Win 25–13 Won 1 Hollins 21
January 7, 1977 New Orleans Jazz 130–118 Win 26–13 Won 2 Lucas, Davis 19
January 9, 1977 San Antonio Spurs 150–113 Win 27–13 Won 3 Twardzik 22
January 11, 1977 New York Knicks 131–111 Win 28–13 Won 4 Lucas 36
January 14, 1977 at Boston Celtics 107–92 Win 29–13 Won 5 Walton, Gross 16
January 15, 1977 at Washington Bullets 107–113 Loss 29–14 Lost 1 Walton 18
January 16, 1977 at Atlanta Hawks 120–125 Loss 29–15 Lost 2 Steele 28
January 18, 1977 at New York Nets 109–94 Win 30–15 Won 1 Lucas 21
January 20, 1977 at Cleveland Cavaliers 99–91 Win 31–15 Won 2 Lucas 32
January 22, 1977 at Houston Rockets 107–110 Loss 31–16 Lost 1 Lucas 22
January 23, 1977 at San Antonio Spurs 118–123 Loss 31–17 Lost 2 Walton 28
January 26, 1977 at Denver Nuggets 107–102 Win 32–17 Won 1 Lucas 22
January 27, 1977 San Antonio Spurs 112–104 Win 33–17 Won 2 Lucas 23
January 30, 1977 Phoenix Suns 97–91 Win 34–17 Won 3 Lucas 21
February 2, 1977 at Kansas City Kings 107–119 Loss 34–18 Lost 1 Lucas 24
February 3, 1977 at Indiana Pacers 107–98 Win 35–18 Won 1 Lucas 35
February 5, 1977 Washington Bullets 104–116 Loss 35–19 Lost 1 Lucas 21
February 8, 1977 Denver Nuggets 111–119 Loss 35–20 Lost 2 Hollins 28
February 11, 1977 Atlanta Hawks 108–121 Loss 35–21 Lost 3 Lucas 41
February 15, 1977 at Cleveland Cavaliers 96–117 Loss 35–22 Lost 4 Lucas 25
February 16, 1977 at Detroit Pistons 118–125 Loss 35–23 Lost 5 Lucas 25
February 18, 1977 at Chicago Bulls 90–87 Win 36–23 Won 1 Lucas 23
February 19, 1977 at Denver Nuggets 124–133 Loss 36–24 Lost 1 Lucas 35
February 22, 1977 Boston Celtics 113–111 Win 37–24 Won 1 Hollins 43
February 25, 1977 Houston Rockets 106–123 Loss 37–25 Lost 1 Lucas 27
March 1, 1977 Philadelphia 76ers 108–107 Win 38–25 Won 1 Lucas 34
March 4, 1977 Cleveland Cavaliers 101–113 Loss 38–26 Lost 1 Gross 17
March 5, 1977 Seattle SuperSonics 134–104 Win 39–26 Won 1 Twardzik 28
March 8, 1977 at Buffalo Braves 95–102 Loss 39–27 Lost 1 Lucas 26
March 10, 1977 at New York Knicks 104–108 Loss 39–28 Lost 2 Lucas 29
March 11, 1977 at Kansas City Kings 112–114 Loss 39–29 Lost 3 Lucas, Hollins 26
March 15, 1977 New Orleans Jazz 131–104 Win 40–29 Won 1 Hollins 22
March 17, 1977 at Golden State Warriors 115–106 Win 41–29 Won 2 Steele 27
March 18, 1977 Indiana Pacers 134–110 Win 42–29 Won 3 Hollins 28
March 20, 1977 at Phoenix Suns 106–126 Loss 42–30 Lost 1 Lucas, Walton 16
March 22, 1977 at New Orleans Jazz 95–106 Loss 42–31 Lost 2 Lucas 29
March 23, 1977 at Houston Rockets 104–109 Loss 42–32 Lost 3 Walton 26
March 25, 1977 at New York Nets 131–103 Win 43–32 Won 1 Lucas 22
March 27, 1977 at Philadelphia 76ers 116–128 Loss 43–33 Lost 1 Lucas 30
March 29, 1977 Buffalo Braves 127–101 Win 44–33 Won 1 Hollins 26
April 1, 1977 Golden State Warriors 109–98 Win 45–33 Won 2 Walton 30
April 3, 1977 at Seattle SuperSonics 119–104 Win 46–33 Won 3 Walton 26
April 5, 1977 Detroit Pistons 110–105 Win 47–33 Won 4 Neal 18
April 9, 1977 Phoenix Suns 122–111 Win 48–33 Won 5 Walton, Gilliam 18
April 10, 1977 Los Angeles Lakers 145–116 Win 49–33 Won 6 Hollins 27

[5]

Playoffs

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1977 playoff game log
First round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 12 Chicago W 96–83 Maurice Lucas (29) Bill Walton (9) Bill Walton (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,774 		1–0
2 April 15 @ Chicago L 104–107 Bill Walton (24) Bill Walton (17) Bob Gross (7) Chicago Stadium
20,000 		1–1
3 April 17 Chicago W 106–98 Bob Gross (26) Bill Walton (11) Lionel Hollins (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,520 		2–1
Conference Semi-finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 20 @ Denver W 101–100 Maurice Lucas (23) Maurice Lucas (13) Bill Walton (6) McNichols Sports Arena
17,995 		1–0
2 April 23 @ Denver L 110–121 Maurice Lucas (29) Bill Walton (16) Bill Walton (10) McNichols Sports Arena
17,975 		1–1
3 April 24 Denver W 110–106 Bill Walton (26) Bill Walton (13) Walton, Twardzik (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,736 		2–1
4 April 26 Denver W 105–96 Bob Gross (25) Bill Walton (11) Bob Gross (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,930 		3–1
5 May 1 @ Denver L 105–114 (OT) Lionel Hollins (19) Walton, Gross (14) Hollins, Gross (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,517 		3–2
6 May 2 Denver W 108–92 Johnny Davis (25) Bill Walton (12) Bill Walton (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,924 		4–2
Conference Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 6 @ Los Angeles W 121–109 Maurice Lucas (28) Maurice Lucas (15) three players tied (6) The Forum
16,975 		1–0
2 May 8 @ Los Angeles W 99–97 Lionel Hollins (31) Bill Walton (17) Lionel Hollins (9) The Forum
15,192 		2–0
3 May 10 Los Angeles W 102–97 Walton, Lucas (22) Bill Walton (15) Bill Walton (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,926 		3–0
4 May 13 Los Angeles W 105–101 Maurice Lucas (26) Bill Walton (14) Walton, Gross (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,904 		4–0
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 22 @ Philadelphia L 101–107 Bill Walton (28) Bill Walton (20) Hollins, Davis (6) Spectrum
18,276 		0–1
2 May 26 @ Philadelphia L 89–107 Bill Walton (17) Bill Walton (16) Bob Gross (4) Spectrum
18,276 		0–2
3 May 29 Philadelphia W 129–107 Maurice Lucas (27) Bill Walton (18) Bill Walton (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,923 		1–2
4 May 31 Philadelphia W 130–98 Lionel Hollins (25) Bill Walton (13) Bill Walton (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,913 		2–2
5 June 3 @ Philadelphia W 110–104 Bob Gross (25) Bill Walton (24) Johnny Davis (8) Spectrum
18,276 		3–2
6 June 5 Philadelphia W 109–107 Hollins, Walton (20) Bob Gross (23) Bill Walton (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,951 		4–2
1977 schedule
 
In his first season as head coach, Jack Ramsay led the Trail Blazers to their first playoff berth.

NBA Finals

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Bill Walton was the MVP for the 1977 NBA Finals.

The Finals opened in the Spectrum on Sunday, May 22. The 76ers seemed unbeatable after the first two games. Julius Erving opened Game 1 with a stupendous dunk off the opening tip. He finished with 33 points and Doug Collins had 30 as Philadelphia won 107–101. The Blazers were rattled enough to commit 34 turnovers. Walton finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds.[3]

In Game 2 four nights later, the Sixers won handily, 107–89. Caldwell Jones and Darryl Dawkins handled Walton easily, while the Sixers dominated in the second quarter, scoring 14 points in one three-minute stretch on their way to a 61–43 halftime lead. The game became very physical with about five minutes left. First, Portland's Lloyd Neal and George McGinnis squared off, followed by Lucas and Erving trading elbows. Then, Dawkins & Gross got into some extracurricular activity battling for a rebound. Dawkins punched Gross, then Lucas punched Dawkins, resulting in a bench clearing brawl.[3]

In Game 3, played on Sunday, May 29, Lucas strode directly to the Philadelphia bench, then startled everybody, including Dawkins, by sticking out his hand for a shake. The Blazers had a high scoring attack to win the game. Lucas contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds. Walton had nine assists, 20 points, and 18 rebounds. Twardzik, too, had returned to speed, driving the Portland offense along to a 42-point fourth quarter. They won 129–107, closing the series gap to 2–1.[3]

In Game 4, Portland opened up a quick 17-point lead, then cruised to a 130–98 win despite Walton being sent to the bench with five fouls in the third. With a little more than eight minutes left in Game 5, Portland led 91–69 and the crowd was headed home. Erving rallied the Sixers to make it respectable at the end, 110–104. He had managed 37 points in the game. Gross scored 25 points to lead the Blazers, while Lucas had 20 with 13 rebounds. Walton finished with 24 rebounds and 14 points.[3]

In the sixth and deciding game, Portland was up by 12 with half of the fourth quarter left when Erving led his teammates on one final run. At the four-minute mark, the lead was cut to four, 102–98. McGinnis hit a jumper, and the lead was only two points with 18 seconds left. The Sixers needed a turnover, and they finally got it from McGinnis, who was able to force a jump ball with Gross. With eight seconds remaining, Erving put up a jumper in the lane but missed. Free got the ball and lofted a baseline shot and missed too. With a second left, McGinnis tried to force a seventh and deciding game but he missed. Walton, (who had 20 points, 23 rebounds, eight blocks and seven assists) knocked the loose ball away, then when time ran out, ripped off his jersey & hurled it into the crowd.[3]

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Portland Trail Blazers (1970 – present)". Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2008.
  2. ^ "HickokSports.com – History – NBA 1976–77 Season". Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "NBA.com: Walton, Lucas Ignite 'Blazermania'". NBA.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  4. ^ Trailblazers 129, Hawks 116, web: The Salina Journal, 1976, archived from the original on October 17, 2023, retrieved March 13, 2023
  5. ^ "1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers Games – Basketball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
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