Game #1 @Los Angeles

The Lakers jumped out to a 13-4 lead but the Knicks rallied back to take a 22-21 lead in the first quarter. Jerry West dominated Walt Frazier in the first half, outscoring him 19-2 as Frazier could only hit one of six shots. In the second quarter, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas and Phil Jackson all picked up their third fouls. Los Angeles took advantage and raced to a 59-49 lead at the half. Chamberlain had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the half as the Knicks struggled to stop him. Los Angeles extended the lead all the way to 93-73 late in the third quarter. However, West picked up his fifth foul midway in the fourth period and had to go to the bench. The Knicks came back after Red Holzman moved Bradley to guard and went with a big line-up. After being down 103-87, they slowly narrowed the lead. It was 105-94 when they made their move. They cut the lead down to 106-102 with 3:59 to play. At the 3:09 mark, with L.A. leading 108-102, West fouled out. Willis Reed drove and hit to make it 108-104. Jim McMillian hit a three-point play to make it 111-104 but the Knicks weren't dead yet. They closed back to 113-110 on a DeBusschere shot at the 1:17 mark. Gail Goodrich then missed two free throws at the 49-second mark but the Knicks couldn't capitalize when Earl Monroe couldn't corral a Frazier pass. McMillian was called for an offensive foul with 0:31 left but again New York failed to capitalize when Bradley missed. Keith Erickson grabbed the board and fed Bill Bridges for a breakaway layup to clinch the game. Chamberlain ended up with 12 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and six blocked shots.

top of the page

Game #2 @Los Angeles

The Knicks evened the series by leading almost all the way in game two. They could never pull away though, and had to fight off a late rally. New York took the lead for good at 35-34 midway through the second quarter but never led by more than 10 points at any juncture. New York lost Earl Monroe midway through the third quarter after he collided with Bill Bridges and aggravated his injured hip. Dave DeBusschere could not deliver many points but he did make it count. His hoop to make it 98-89 was the Knicks only field goal in the last four minutes of the game. Phil Jackson and Dean Meminger came off the bench in relief of DeBusschere and Monroe to play key roles. After leading by four at the end of the second and third period, the Knicks extended it to 10 points twice in the fourth at 84-74 and 94-84. They were apparently home free with a 98-89 lead with 1:30 to play when they unraveled. A turnover and two backcourt fouls led to four quick Laker points. Then Jim McMillian followed a Knick miss with a hoop while drawing a foul to cut it to 98-95 with 0:26 left. McMillian missed the free throw and L.A. was forced to foul. DeBusschere made one of two to seal the win. 

top of the page

Game #3 @New York

The Lakers got out of the gates fast early, jumping to a 10-3 lead and 39-28 in the second quarter. Los Angeles would carry the lead into the half before New York made a move in the third period. The Knicks went on a 15-2 run that gave them a 63-56 lead. Phil Jackson would play 21 minutes in the second half and contribute big inside. New York led 71-61 with 11 minutes left in the game when L.A. went on an eight point run that cut it to 71-69 with nine minutes left. The Knicks stayed ahead and lead by six at the two minute mark. Two Keith Erickson hoops made it 85-83 with 56 seconds left but the Lakers would not score again. They had a chance to tie after Willis Reed traveled with 36 seconds left but Erickson missed. Reed grabbed the rebound and Walt Frazier clinched the game with two free throws. The Knicks managed to hang on despite eight turnovers in the last 11 minutes of the game.

top of the page

Game #4 @New York

Once again, the Knicks took a big lead but had to scramble at the end to hold on to the win. Hold on they did, and took a 3-1 series lead over the defending champions. They got hot early and took a 13-point lead (21-8) in the first quarter. Los Angeles tried to rally but could not gain much ground. New York was still leading by 10 (94-84) with four minutes left in the game. However, they then missed seven consecutive shots and allowed the Lakers to pull within 94-92. Dave DeBusschere grabbed an offensive rebound and converted into a three-point play to make it 97-92. The Lakers went eight minutes in the fourth quarter without being whistled for a foul. Los Angeles would not catch up as Earl Monroe and DeBusschere sealed it with six free throws down the stretch. 

top of the page

Game #5 @Los Angeles

New York once again had a strong first quarter and led by seven at the end, but Los Angeles came back in the second period. Behind 13 free throws, L.A. rallied to take a two-point lead into the locker room. The Knicks came out with their pressure defense and patented motion offense to swarm L.A. in the third quarter. Leading by 12 going into the fourth, New York found themselves in familiar territory; desperately scrambling to hold on to a lead. Dave DeBusschere had to leave with an injury with New York leading 79-69. L.A. went on an 11-5 run to close the gap to 84-80. Willis Reed set up Bill Bradley for an easy hoop. two Reed jumpers, and a three-point play off an Earl Monroe drive that left New York up 93-82 with 1:52 left on the clock followed it. Los Angeles did not go quietly into the night though. Jerry West nailed a shot, Wilt Chamberlain converted a steal into a three-point play and Jim McMillian hit a runner to make it 95-91 with 1:04 to play. Monroe made one of two free throws but Reed then swiped the ball and Monroe got two points on a Chamberlain goaltend to make it 98-91 with 23 seconds left and the defending champs had been dethroned by last year's runners-up.

top of the page

COMPOSITE BOX SCORE

top of the page