Game #1 5/1/76 @Denver

The teams were tight throughout as neither team led by more than 9 points in the game. Denver had no answer for Julius Erving as both Bobby Jones, Gus Gerard & Dan Issel ran into foul trouble because of Erving. Rookie Marvin Webster stepped in big with a season-high 18 rebounds. Denver had won 11 straight games vs. the Nets in Denver. The 4th quarter turned into a duel between Erving & David Thompson. N.Y. led by 1 when Issel turned the ball over with 0:21 left. Bobby Jones was forced to foul Tim Bassett who made 1 of 2 shots to give the Nets a 118-116 lead. After a timeout, Issel missed but Webster’s follow jam tied the game with 0:04 on the clock. After calling time to move the ball to mid-court, N.Y. got Erving free for the in-bounds pass. Bobby Jones was shadowing him and forced Erving to the baseline and away from the hoop. Erving hit a 20-foot fallaway from the corner with no time remaining for the win.

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Game #2 5/4/76 @Denver

An ABA record crowd watched the game as there was a standing room only crowd of 1,000 crowded into McNichols Arena. Denver built a 12 point lead in the 3rd period behind a balanced attack. Denver still led 112-99 with 5 minutes left in the game. The Nets went to a press and Denver was without 2 of their better ballhandlers, Chuck Williams & Claude Terry. Terry left the game dizzy after hitting his head on the floor diving for a loose ball & Williams had left with a bruised calf. The Nets came up with 5 steals during a 13-4 run that close the gap to 116-112. The run consisted of 2 hoops by Brian Taylor, 1 by Rich Jones, Erving & Al Skinner. A pair of stellar defensive plays by Bobby Jones during the run kept New York from tying the game. Back to back 3-point plays by Ralph Simpson & David Thompson put Denver ahead 122-112. The Nuggets survived a wild, 82-point 4th period that saw Dr. J set an ABA playoff single quarter scoring mark with 25 of NY’s 40 points.

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Game #3 5/6/76 @New York

The Nets started fast with a 9-0 lead behind Brian Taylor’s passing & Kim Hughes who was open for several lay-ups. However, Taylor & Williamson became too involved in 1-on-1 and the Nets became ineffective. A jumper by David Thompson tied the game at 16. The Nets retained the lead at halftime on a buzzer-beating jumper from Rich “House” Jones. Erving got into some foul trouble trying to guard Thompson and picked up his 5th foul with 7:03 left in the 3rd. Nets’ coach Kevin Loughery inserted Al Skinner to guard Thompson. Denver lost Dan Issel when he picked up his 6th foul in the 4th and Larry Brown chose to remove Issel. The Nets were clinging a 109-108 lead when Dr. J made a spectacular layup to make it 111-108 with 1:45 left. Thompson tied the game on a 3-point play with 0:32 left. Dr J then blocked a Bobby Jones shot and came right back and broke up a Denver 3-on-1 break by blocking a Chuck Williams lay-up. In the ensuing scramble, Rich Jones drew an offensive foul on Thompson. N.Y. would convert 4 free throws in the last 20 seconds to seal it. 

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Game #4 5/8/76 @New York

The Nuggets built an 11-point 1st quarter lead, but bad free throw shooting and turnovers would come back to haunt them. Kim Hughes opened the game with a hoop, but Denver scored the next 10 points. Brian Taylor & John Williamson helped keep New York in it. Julius Erving couldn’t find the range outside as only 2 of his 34 points came outside the paint. 11 Nugget turnovers in the 1st half allowed N.Y. to take the lead. Both Bobby Jones & Byron Beck each picked up their 4th fouls within a minute of the 3rd quarter. Denver rallied to tie the score at 71 midway through the 3rd period on a David Thompson jumper. Brian Taylor then responded with a personal 8-0 run on 3 jump shots and a layup to give N.Y. the lead for good 79-71. Veteran Jim Eakins came up big with 17 points and 2 blocks in the 2nd half.

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Game #5 5/11/76 @Denver

Denver again built a big lead early as they led by 11 in the opening period. Kim Hughes left the game with a sprained ankle and would be out for the series. The Nets would force Denver into 16 1st half turnovers that sparked a 31-8 Nets run. The Nets led by as many as 16 in the 2nd period. Gus Gerard came off the bench to score 8 straight points and the Net lead was cut to 6 by halftime. Denver came up with a 21-4 run that put Denver ahead in the 3rd period. In the 3rd, Denver outscored N.Y. from the line 16-4. Denver’s biggest lead was 16 which they held at the beginning of the final period. Brian Taylor was ejected after punching Monte Towe. Towe keyed Denver late with his passing & ball-handling against the Net press. 

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Game #6 5/13/76 @New York

The Nuggets,behind David Thompson & Dan Issel, controlled the first 2 ½ periods. Denver led 80-58 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd and looked to be heading home for Game 7. After shooting 37% in the 1st half, the Nets went to an all-out press and Denver went over 5 minutes without scoring as Dr. J led the Nets back within 14 by the end of the 3rd period. Dr. J would get 5 steals in the final 17 minutes while Rich Jones came up with 4 steals as well. John Williamson led the way with 24 points in the 2nd half. Dan Issel & Bobby Jones both picked up their 6th fouls and had to leave for awhile. Williamson hit a jumper from the corner that put N.Y. up 106-104- their 1st lead since early in the game. With 1:29 left & N.Y. up 108-106, Williamson turned the ball over and Denver had a chance to tie when Marvin Webster drew Jim Eakins’ 6th foul. Webster missed both shots though and then was called for goaltending on Brian Taylor at the other end. N.Y. led 110-106 and Denver could not find the range. As fans came out of the stands, Rich Jones scored the final points in ABA history on a lay-up with 0:03 left. Remarkably, Dr. J did not score in the 4th period.

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