Game #1 @Philadelphia

76ers coach Gene Shue had used closed practices for the days preceding game one. The reason became evident when the game began, Sixers' big men Caldwell Jones and George McGinnis brought the ball up against Portland's press. The surprise helped Philadelphia get off to a good start. It was Portland who turned the over in the game; they had 34 turnovers compared to only 20 for the 76ers. Bob Gross had 10 points in the first quarter but only six the rest of the way. Philadelphia built a lead highlighted by four Julius Erving dunks including two alley-oop dunks. Gross and Larry Steele accumulated 10 personal fouls trying to guard the Doctor. Steve Mix had six steals as well three from Dr. J. Portland stayed close, as Philadelphia never moved their lead past eight points. The Blazers cut the lead to one twice in the fourth quarter. The 76ers led 101-93 with 3:25 to play when Portland reeled off six straight points (four by Maurice Lucas and two by Bill Walton) to cut the lead to 101-99 with less than two minutes left as Caldwell Jones fouled out.

Darryl Dawkins would come in and make three of four free throws and came up with a big steal to push the lead back to 107-99.

top of the page

Game #2 @Philadelphia

Philadelphia blew out Portland in the first half and the only fireworks in the second half had little to do with the game. Henry Bibby scored 15 points in the first half to lead the Sixers. Portland again committed a ghastly number of turnovers: 29. Philadelphia led by 18 at the half and continued to dominate in the second half. Portland never threatened in the second half. The play of the game was probably Darryl Dawkins blocking a Bill Walton shot, grabbing the ball, leading the break and dishing to Henry Bibby for a layup. The fireworks in the second half occurred with the 76ers leading 96-76 with 4:52 to play in the game. Dawkins and Bob Gross were fighting for a loose ball and went down to the floor. They got up and squared off with Dawkins swinging wildly. He nailed not Gross, but his teammate Doug Collins. Collins required four stitches to close the cut. The benches emptied and some fans came out of the stand to get involved in the melee. Maurice Lucas came to the aid of Gross and nailed Dawkins with a solid punch. Dawkins and Lucas squared off and nobody seemed in a hurry to break that one up. It took 10 minutes to restore order after about 100 fans and Spectrum personnel were on the court. Both Dawkins and Lucas were ejected with Dawkins kicking a bathroom stall off its moorings in the Sixers' dressing room. 

top of the page

Game #3 @Portland

Portland got back in the series by winning game three after the series returned to Portland. The Blazers just buried Philly in the first quarter as they raced to a 32-12 lead with two minutes left in the period. Philadelphia would rally back within two points when Bob Gross, Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, Johnny Davis and Lionel Hollins would all encounter foul trouble. With the 76ers within four points in the fourth quarter, Walton would score two hoops in an eight-second span to start a Portland run of 26-10 that left the Blazers leading 113-93. Portland would eventually lead by as many as 24 before both coaches cleared their benches. 

top of the page

Game #4 @Portland

Portland exploded to a 19-4 lead to start the game and the 76ers could never get back into the game. The Blazers made nine of their first 10 field goals. Free throw shooting kept them within shouting distance in the first half. However, once the third period started, Portland preceded to decimate the 76ers. Bill Walton, who had four blocks in the game, picked up his fifth personal foul with seven minutes left in the third and Portland leading 71-57. Philadelphia had a glimmer of a chance as Lloyd Neal came in to replace Walton. That chance vanished quickly as Portland outscored Philadelphia 27- 10 the rest of the quarter with Neal in to lead 98-67. Portland's lead continued to grow as the Sixers completely collapsed. Portland led by 41 with two minutes left before winning by 32; the third largest margin in NBA Finals history at the time.

top of the page

Game #5 @Philadelphia

Portland won their third straight game and handed the 76ers their first three-game losing streak of the 1976-77 season. Portland grabbed the lead in a ragged first half. Portland shot 38% from the field while Philadelphia made an even colder, 29%. Portland lead 53-52 in the third when George McGinnis missed a chance to tie from the free throw line and Julius Erving missed a shot that would've given the 76ers lead. Portland then went on a 31-13 tear that left them with a 19-point lead entering the final period. The lead widened to 22 points with 8:30 to play in the game when Gene Shue went to the full-court press. He inserted a line-up of Erving, Doug Collins, Joe Bryant, Caldwell Jones and Henry Bibby which forced Portland into a seven of their 24 turnovers in the last eight minutes of the game. Dr. J scored 13 and Collins 10 during the run that closed the lead to five with 3:26 left. Maurice Lucas hit an 18-footer and Lionel Hollins converted a fast break layup to stretch the lead back to nine and end the 76ers comeback hopes.

top of the page

Game #6 @Portland

Philadelphia came out to a good start behind George McGinnis, who broke his series long slump by hitting his first three shots. Bill Walton had a monster game, a near quadruple-double. Caldwell Jones got in foul trouble and neither he, nor Darryl Dawkins, could handle Walton who finished with 20 points, 23 rebounds, eight blocks and seven assists. He keyed a run that started with four minutes left in the first period. Philadelphia was leading 22-18 when Portland went on a 39-20 tear to take a 57-42 lead with three minutes left in the half. Portland was aid in their run by grabbing nine offensive rebounds in the second period. Portland's backcourt outscored Philly's 30-4 in the first half. Philadelphia tried to get back into the game but was still trailing by 12 with six minutes left in the game. The 76ers then came to life as they cut to five at 95-90. But Bob Gross made two acrobatic layups to push it back to 99-90. Behind Julius Erving and McGinnis (who would make 29-52 shots while the rest of the team was 15-39) they cut it to three, 108-105, with 51 seconds remaining. Maurice Lucas made one of two free throws to make it 109-105 before McGinnis hit a shot with 18 seconds to play. With Portland leading 109-107, the 76ers forced a jump ball and won the tap. Philadelphia then got three good looks at the basket to send the game into overtime but Erving, Lloyd Free and McGinnis all missed and time ran out before they could get a fourth try.

top of the page

top of the page

top of the page