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The '''1979 [[NBA Playoffs]]''' was the postseason tournament of the [[National Basketball Association]]'s [[1978–79 NBA season|1978-79 season]]. The tournament concluded with the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] champion [[Seattle SuperSonics]] defeating the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] champion [[Washington Bullets]] 4 games to 1 in the [[1979 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]. The Sonics (later the Thunder) earned their first (and as of 2014, only) NBA title. [[Dennis Johnson]] was named [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]].
The '''1979 [[NBA Playoffs]]''' was the postseason tournament of the [[National Basketball Association]]’s [[1978–79 NBA season|1978–79 season]]. The tournament concluded with the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] champion [[1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]] defeating the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] champion [[1978–79 Washington Bullets season|Washington Bullets]] 4 games to 1 in the [[1979 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]. The Sonics (later the Oklahoma City Thunder) earned their first (and as of 2016, only) NBA title. [[Dennis Johnson]] was named [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]].


The Finals was a rematch of [[1978 NBA Finals|1978]], in which Washington defeated Seattle 4-3. As of 2013, the Bullets (later the Wizards) have not returned to the Finals.
The Finals was a rematch of [[1978 NBA Finals|1978]], in which Washington defeated Seattle 4—3. As of 2016, the Bullets (later the Wizards) have not returned to the Finals, nor even to the Conference Finals.


The Spurs made their first visit to the conference finals in these playoffs.
The Spurs made their first visit to the Conference Finals in these playoffs.


This was the first time that three of the former ABA teams made the playoffs, as it was the NBA playoff debut of the [[Brooklyn Nets|New Jersey Nets]].
This was the first time that three of the former ABA teams made the playoffs, as it was the NBA playoff debut of [[1978–79 New Jersey Nets season|the New Jersey Nets]].


==Bracket==
==Bracket==
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==Western Conference==
==Western Conference==


Champion: '''[[Seattle SuperSonics]]'''
Champion: '''[[1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]]'''


'''1st Round'''
'''1st Round'''
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(1) '''Seattle SuperSonics''' & (2) '''Kansas City Kings''' have first round byes.
(1) '''Seattle SuperSonics''' & (2) '''Kansas City Kings''' have first round byes.


(3) '''[[Phoenix Suns]]''' vs. (6) [[Portland Trail Blazers]]: ''Suns win series 2-1''
(3) '''[[1978–79 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]]''' vs. (6) [[1978–79 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]]: ''Suns win series 2—1''
*'''Game 1''' @ Phoenix (April 10): '''Phoenix 107''', Portland 103
*'''Game 1''' @ Phoenix (April 10): '''Phoenix 107''', Portland 103
*'''Game 2''' @ Portland (April 13): '''Portland 96''', Phoenix 92
*'''Game 2''' @ Portland (April 13): '''Portland 96''', Phoenix 92
*'''Game 3''' @ Phoenix (April 15): '''Phoenix 101''', Portland 91
*'''Game 3''' @ Phoenix (April 15): '''Phoenix 101''', Portland 91


(4) [[Denver Nuggets]] vs. (5) '''[[Los Angeles Lakers]]''': ''Lakers win series 2-1''
(4) [[1978–79 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] vs. (5) '''[[1978–79 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]]''': ''Lakers win series 2—1''
*'''Game 1''' @ Denver (April 10): '''Denver 110''', Los Angeles 105
*'''Game 1''' @ Denver (April 10): '''Denver 110''', Los Angeles 105
*'''Game 2''' @ Los Angeles (April 13): '''Los Angeles 121''', Denver 109
*'''Game 2''' @ Los Angeles (April 13): '''Los Angeles 121''', Denver 109
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'''Conference Semifinals'''
'''Conference Semifinals'''


(1) '''[[Seattle SuperSonics]]''' vs. (5) [[Los Angeles Lakers]]: ''Sonics win series 4-1''
(1) '''[[1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]]''' vs. (5) [[1978–79 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]]: ''Sonics win series 4—1''
*'''Game 1''' @ Seattle (April 17): '''Seattle 112''', Los Angeles 101
*'''Game 1''' @ Seattle (April 17): '''Seattle 112''', Los Angeles 101
*'''Game 2''' @ Seattle (April 18): '''Seattle 108''', Los Angeles 103 (OT)
*'''Game 2''' @ Seattle (April 18): '''Seattle 108''', Los Angeles 103 (OT)
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*'''Game 4''' @ Los Angeles (April 22): '''Seattle 117''', Los Angeles 115
*'''Game 4''' @ Los Angeles (April 22): '''Seattle 117''', Los Angeles 115
*'''Game 5''' @ Seattle (April 25): '''Seattle 106''', Los Angeles 100
*'''Game 5''' @ Seattle (April 25): '''Seattle 106''', Los Angeles 100
'''Last playoff meeting''': [[1978 NBA Playoffs|1978 Western Conference First Round]] (Seattle won 2-1)
'''Last playoff meeting''': [[1978 NBA Playoffs|1978 Western Conference First Round]] (Seattle won 2—1)


(2) [[Kansas City Kings]] vs. (3) '''[[Phoenix Suns]]''': ''Suns win series 4-1''
(2) [[1978–79 Kansas City Kings season|Kansas City Kings]] vs. (3) '''[[1978–79 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]]''': ''Suns win series 4—1''
*'''Game 1''' @ Phoenix (April 17): '''Phoenix 102''', Kansas City 99
*'''Game 1''' @ Phoenix (April 17): '''Phoenix 102''', Kansas City 99
*'''Game 2''' @ Kansas City (April 20): '''Kansas City 111''', Phoenix 91
*'''Game 2''' @ Kansas City (April 20): '''Kansas City 111''', Phoenix 91
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'''Conference Finals'''
'''Conference Finals'''


(1) '''[[Seattle SuperSonics]]''' vs. (3) [[Phoenix Suns]]: ''Sonics win series 4-3''
(1) '''[[1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]]''' vs. (3) [[1978–79 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]]: ''Sonics win series 4—3''
*'''Game 1''' @ Seattle (May 1): '''Seattle 108''', Phoenix 93
*'''Game 1''' @ Seattle (May 1): '''Seattle 108''', Phoenix 93
*'''Game 2''' @ Seattle (May 4): '''Seattle 103''', Phoenix 97
*'''Game 2''' @ Seattle (May 4): '''Seattle 103''', Phoenix 97
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*'''Game 6''' @ Phoenix (May 13): '''Seattle 106''', Phoenix 105
*'''Game 6''' @ Phoenix (May 13): '''Seattle 106''', Phoenix 105
*'''Game 7''' @ Seattle (May 17): '''Seattle 114''', Phoenix 110
*'''Game 7''' @ Seattle (May 17): '''Seattle 114''', Phoenix 110
'''Last playoff meeting''':[[1976 NBA Playoffs|1976 Western Conference Semifinals]] (Phoenix won 4-2)
'''Last playoff meeting''':[[1976 NBA Playoffs|1976 Western Conference Semifinals]] (Phoenix won 4—2)


==Eastern Conference==
==Eastern Conference==
⚫
Champion: '''[[1978–79 Washington Bullets season|Washington Bullets]]'''

⚫
Champion: '''[[Washington Bullets]]'''


(1) '''Washington Bullets''' & (2) '''San Antonio Spurs''' have first round byes.
(1) '''Washington Bullets''' & (2) '''San Antonio Spurs''' have first round byes.


(3) '''[[Philadelphia 76ers]]''' vs. (6) [[Brooklyn Nets|New Jersey Nets]]: ''76ers win series 2-0''
(3) '''[[1978–79 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]]''' vs. (6) [[1978–79 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey Nets]]: ''76ers win series 2—0''
*'''Game 1''' @ Philadelphia (April 11): '''Philadelphia 122''', New Jersey 114
*'''Game 1''' @ Philadelphia (April 11): '''Philadelphia 122''', New Jersey 114
*'''Game 2''' @ New Jersey (April 13): '''Philadelphia 111''', New Jersey 101
*'''Game 2''' @ New Jersey (April 13): '''Philadelphia 111''', New Jersey 101


(4) [[Houston Rockets]] vs. (5) '''[[Atlanta Hawks]]''': ''Hawks win series 2-0''
(4) [[1978–79 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] vs. (5) '''[[1978–79 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]]''': ''Hawks win series 2—0''
*'''Game 1''' @ Houston (April 11): '''Atlanta 109''', Houston 106
*'''Game 1''' @ Houston (April 11): '''Atlanta 109''', Houston 106
*'''Game 2''' @ Atlanta (April 13): '''Atlanta 100''', Houston 91
*'''Game 2''' @ Atlanta (April 13): '''Atlanta 100''', Houston 91
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'''Conference Semifinals'''
'''Conference Semifinals'''


(1) '''[[Washington Bullets]]''' vs. (5) [[Atlanta Hawks]]: ''Bullets win series 4-3''
(1) '''[[1978–79 Washington Bullets season|Washington Bullets]]''' vs. (5) [[1978–79 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]]: ''Bullets win series 4—3''
*'''Game 1''' @ Washington (April 15): '''Washington 103''', Atlanta 89
*'''Game 1''' @ Washington (April 15): '''Washington 103''', Atlanta 89
*'''Game 2''' @ Washington (April 17): '''Atlanta 107''', Washington 99
*'''Game 2''' @ Washington (April 17): '''Atlanta 107''', Washington 99
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*'''Game 7''' @ Washington (April 29): '''Washington 100''', Atlanta 94
*'''Game 7''' @ Washington (April 29): '''Washington 100''', Atlanta 94


(2) '''[[San Antonio Spurs]]''' vs. (3) [[Philadelphia 76ers]]: ''Spurs win series 4-3''
(2) '''[[1978–79 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]]''' vs. (3) [[1978–79 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]]: ''Spurs win series 4—3''
*'''Game 1''' @ San Antonio (April 15): '''San Antonio 119''', Philadelphia 106
*'''Game 1''' @ San Antonio (April 15): '''San Antonio 119''', Philadelphia 106
*'''Game 2''' @ San Antonio (April 17): '''San Antonio 121''', Philadelphia 120
*'''Game 2''' @ San Antonio (April 17): '''San Antonio 121''', Philadelphia 120
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'''Conference Finals'''
'''Conference Finals'''


(1) '''[[Washington Bullets]]''' vs. (2) [[San Antonio Spurs]]: ''Bullets win series 4-3''
(1) '''[[1978–79 Washington Bullets season|Washington Bullets]]''' vs. (2) [[1978–79 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]]: ''Bullets win series 4-3''
*'''Game 1''' @ Washington (May 4): '''San Antonio 118''', Washington 97
*'''Game 1''' @ Washington (May 4): '''San Antonio 118''', Washington 97
*'''Game 2''' @ Washington (May 6): '''Washington 115''', San Antonio 95
*'''Game 2''' @ Washington (May 6): '''Washington 115''', San Antonio 95
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{{main|1979 NBA Finals}}
{{main|1979 NBA Finals}}
(1) [[Washington Bullets]] vs. (1) '''[[Seattle SuperSonics]]''': ''Sonics win series 4-1''
(1) [[1978–79 Washington Bullets season|Washington Bullets]] vs. (1) '''[[1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]]''': ''Sonics win series 4-1''
*'''Game 1''' @ Washington (May 20): '''Washington 99''', Seattle 97 ([[Larry Wright]] makes the game winning free throws with one second remaining)
*'''Game 1''' @ Washington (May 20): '''Washington 99''', Seattle 97 ([[Larry Wright]] makes the game winning free throws with one second remaining)
*'''Game 2''' @ Washington (May 24): '''Seattle 92''', Washington 82
*'''Game 2''' @ Washington (May 24): '''Seattle 92''', Washington 82

Revision as of 10:17, 8 May 2016

The 1979 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association’s 1978–79 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. The Sonics (later the Oklahoma City Thunder) earned their first (and as of 2016, only) NBA title. Dennis Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP.

The Finals was a rematch of 1978, in which Washington defeated Seattle 4—3. As of 2016, the Bullets (later the Wizards) have not returned to the Finals, nor even to the Conference Finals.

The Spurs made their first visit to the Conference Finals in these playoffs.

This was the first time that three of the former ABA teams made the playoffs, as it was the NBA playoff debut of the New Jersey Nets.

Bracket

1st Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
            
1 Seattle 4
Western Conference
5 Los Angeles 1
4 Denver 1
5 Los Angeles 2
1 Seattle 4
3 Phoenix 3
3 Phoenix 2
6 Portland 1
3 Phoenix 4
2 Kansas City 1
W1 Seattle 4
E1 Washington 1
1 Washington 4
5 Atlanta 3
4 Houston 0
5 Atlanta 2
1 Washington 4
Eastern Conference
2 San Antonio 3
3 Philadelphia 2
6 New Jersey 0
3 Philadelphia 3
2 San Antonio 4

Western Conference

Champion: Seattle SuperSonics

1st Round

(1) Seattle SuperSonics & (2) Kansas City Kings have first round byes.

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers: Suns win series 2—1

  • Game 1 @ Phoenix (April 10): Phoenix 107, Portland 103
  • Game 2 @ Portland (April 13): Portland 96, Phoenix 92
  • Game 3 @ Phoenix (April 15): Phoenix 101, Portland 91

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers: Lakers win series 2—1

  • Game 1 @ Denver (April 10): Denver 110, Los Angeles 105
  • Game 2 @ Los Angeles (April 13): Los Angeles 121, Denver 109
  • Game 3 @ Denver (April 15): Los Angeles 112, Denver 111

Conference Semifinals

(1) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers: Sonics win series 4—1

  • Game 1 @ Seattle (April 17): Seattle 112, Los Angeles 101
  • Game 2 @ Seattle (April 18): Seattle 108, Los Angeles 103 (OT)
  • Game 3 @ Los Angeles (April 20): Los Angeles 118, Seattle 112 (OT)
  • Game 4 @ Los Angeles (April 22): Seattle 117, Los Angeles 115
  • Game 5 @ Seattle (April 25): Seattle 106, Los Angeles 100

Last playoff meeting: 1978 Western Conference First Round (Seattle won 2—1)

(2) Kansas City Kings vs. (3) Phoenix Suns: Suns win series 4—1

  • Game 1 @ Phoenix (April 17): Phoenix 102, Kansas City 99
  • Game 2 @ Kansas City (April 20): Kansas City 111, Phoenix 91
  • Game 3 @ Phoenix (April 22): Phoenix 108, Kansas City 93
  • Game 4 @ Kansas City (April 25): Phoenix 108, Kansas City 94
  • Game 5 @ Phoenix (April 27): Phoenix 120, Kansas City 99

Conference Finals

(1) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (3) Phoenix Suns: Sonics win series 4—3

  • Game 1 @ Seattle (May 1): Seattle 108, Phoenix 93
  • Game 2 @ Seattle (May 4): Seattle 103, Phoenix 97
  • Game 3 @ Phoenix (May 6): Phoenix 113, Seattle 103
  • Game 4 @ Phoenix (May 8): Phoenix 100, Seattle 91
  • Game 5 @ Seattle (May 11): Phoenix 99, Seattle 93
  • Game 6 @ Phoenix (May 13): Seattle 106, Phoenix 105
  • Game 7 @ Seattle (May 17): Seattle 114, Phoenix 110

Last playoff meeting:1976 Western Conference Semifinals (Phoenix won 4—2)

Eastern Conference

Champion: Washington Bullets

(1) Washington Bullets & (2) San Antonio Spurs have first round byes.

(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (6) New Jersey Nets: 76ers win series 2—0

  • Game 1 @ Philadelphia (April 11): Philadelphia 122, New Jersey 114
  • Game 2 @ New Jersey (April 13): Philadelphia 111, New Jersey 101

(4) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks: Hawks win series 2—0

  • Game 1 @ Houston (April 11): Atlanta 109, Houston 106
  • Game 2 @ Atlanta (April 13): Atlanta 100, Houston 91

Conference Semifinals

(1) Washington Bullets vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks: Bullets win series 4—3

  • Game 1 @ Washington (April 15): Washington 103, Atlanta 89
  • Game 2 @ Washington (April 17): Atlanta 107, Washington 99
  • Game 3 @ Atlanta (April 20): Washington 89, Atlanta 77
  • Game 4 @ Atlanta (April 22): Washington 120, Atlanta 118 (OT)
  • Game 5 @ Washington (April 24): Atlanta 107, Washington 103
  • Game 6 @ Atlanta (April 26): Atlanta 104, Washington 86
  • Game 7 @ Washington (April 29): Washington 100, Atlanta 94

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers: Spurs win series 4—3

  • Game 1 @ San Antonio (April 15): San Antonio 119, Philadelphia 106
  • Game 2 @ San Antonio (April 17): San Antonio 121, Philadelphia 120
  • Game 3 @ Philadelphia (April 20): Philadelphia 123, San Antonio 115
  • Game 4 @ Philadelphia (April 22): San Antonio 115, Philadelphia 112
  • Game 5 @ San Antonio (April 26): Philadelphia 120, San Antonio 97
  • Game 6 @ Philadelphia (April 29): Philadelphia 92, San Antonio 90 (Maurice Cheeks hits game winning shot with 10 seconds remaining.)
  • Game 7 @ San Antonio (May 2): San Antonio 111, Philadelphia 108

Conference Finals

(1) Washington Bullets vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs: Bullets win series 4-3

  • Game 1 @ Washington (May 4): San Antonio 118, Washington 97
  • Game 2 @ Washington (May 6): Washington 115, San Antonio 95
  • Game 3 @ San Antonio (May 9): San Antonio 116, Washington 114
  • Game 4 @ San Antonio (May 11): San Antonio 118, Washington 102
  • Game 5 @ Washington (May 13): Washington 107, San Antonio 103
  • Game 6 @ San Antonio (May 16): Washington 108, San Antonio 100
  • Game 7 @ Washington (May 18): Washington 107, San Antonio 105 (Bob Dandridge hits series-winning shot with 8 seconds remaining; Washington becomes 3rd team to win series after trailing 3-1.)

NBA Finals

Main article: 1979 NBA Finals

(1) Washington Bullets vs. (1) Seattle SuperSonics: Sonics win series 4-1

  • Game 1 @ Washington (May 20): Washington 99, Seattle 97 (Larry Wright makes the game winning free throws with one second remaining)
  • Game 2 @ Washington (May 24): Seattle 92, Washington 82
  • Game 3 @ Seattle (May 27): Seattle 105, Washington 95
  • Game 4 @ Seattle (May 29): Seattle 114, Washington 112 (OT: Dennis Johnson blocks Kevin Grevey with 4 seconds left to seal it)
  • Game 5 @ Washington (June 1): Seattle 97, Washington 93
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