1973–74 Buffalo Braves season

1973–74 Buffalo Braves season
Head coachJack Ramsay
Owner(s)Paul Snyder
ArenaBuffalo Memorial Auditorium
Maple Leaf Gardens
Results
Record42–40 (.512)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(lost to Celtics 2–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWBEN-TV
RadioWBEN
(Van Miller, Rudy Martzke)

The 1973–74 Buffalo Braves season was the fourth season for the expansion Buffalo Braves franchise in the National Basketball Association and its Atlantic Division. It was the team's second season under head coach Jack Ramsay.[1] The team's official home arena was Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. It was the first season where the team wore Columbia blue for their uniforms, which they retained for the rest of their tenure in Buffalo.

Bob McAdoo, who finished second in the NBA MVP Award voting, led the league in scoring; Ernie DiGregorio, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, led the league in assists and free throw percentage, and every starter on the team was among the league's top ten in at least one statistical category.

The team finished third in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. After three consecutive 60-loss seasons, the team made the NBA playoffs for the first time and became the youngest team to have ever done so in terms of average player age. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics.

Draft picks

Main article: 1973 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 3 Ernie DiGregorio Guard  United States Providence College
3 38 Ken Charles Guard  Trinidad & Tobago Fordham University
4 54 Doug Little Forward  United States Oregon
5 72 Randy Noll Forward  United States Marshall
6 88 Mike Macaluso Forward  United States Canisius College
7 106 Tim Bassett Forward  United States Georgia
8 122 Carl Jackson Guard  United States St. Bonaventure
9 140 Bob Fullerton Center  United States Xavier
10 153 Nick Connor Forward  United States Illinois
11 168 Mike Lee Guard  United States Syracuse
12 176 Aaron Covington Guard  United States Canisius College
13 184 Bob Vartanian Guard  United States Buffalo
14 190 Ron Gilliam Guard  United States SUNY Brockport
15 195 John Fraley Forward  United States Georgia
16 200 John Green Forward  United States Oregon
17 204 Jim Garvin Forward  United States Boston University
18 207 Don Johnston Forward  United States North Carolina
19 209 Ron Thornson Forward  United States British Columbia
20 211 Phil Tollestrup Forward  United States Brigham Young

Roster

1973–74 Buffalo Braves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 14 Ken Charles 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fordham
G 15 Ernie DiGregorio 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Providence
F 30 Jim Garvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Boston University
G 4 Matt Guokas 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Saint Joseph's
F 24 Gar Heard 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Oklahoma
F 44 Bob Kauffman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Guilford
C 43 Kevin Kunnert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Iowa
F 21 Mike Macaluso 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Canisius
F 42 Jack Marin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Duke
C 11 Bob McAdoo 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) North Carolina
F 5 Jim McMillian 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Columbia
C 22 Paul Ruffner 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 225 lb (102 kg) BYU
G 9 Randy Smith 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Buffalo State
G 3 Lee Winfield 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) North Texas
G 13 Dave Wohl 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Penn
Head coach
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster Notes

Regular season

McAdoo had an outstanding second season and led the league in scoring with 30.6 ppg.[2][3] The Braves led the league in team scoring (111.60) but were last in team defense (111.8).[4] They totaled 427,270 in attendance in their 41 home games, ranking them 4th of 17 teams.[4] The Braves played several home games at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, in order to expand their fan base into Canada.[2] This season was the first of three consecutive scoring titles for McAdoo.[3] McAdoo also posted 15.1 rebounds per game and 3.3 blocked shots per game, which were each third in the league.[3] It was the most recent time that one player averaged both 30 points and 15 rebounds in the same NBA season.[5][6] In addition to McAdoo, the Braves were led by Ernie DiGregorio, who became the second straight Brave (following McAdoo) to capture NBA Rookie of the Year honors by leading the league in assists with 8.2 per game.[2] 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year DiGregorio earned the first of two NBA free throw percentage championships (90.2%) and led the NBA in assists (8.2).[7] That season DiGregorio set the NBA single-game rookie assists record (25), which still stands as unbroken (tied by Nate McMillan).[8] Jim McMillan would finish fifth in the NBA in minutes played (3322) and tenth in free throw percentage (85.8%).[9] He also finished second on the Braves in scoring (18.6).[10] Heard went on to rank in the top ten in rebounds (11.7, 10th) and blocked shots (2.8, 6th) that season.[11] Randy Smith, who was third on the team in scoring with a 15.5 average,[10] finished third in the league in steals (2.5/game).[12]

October–November

In his October 9, 1973 NBA debut against the Houston Rockets, Ernie DiGregorio had 14 assists.[13] DiGregrorio had 17 points but it was a 25-foot basket with two seconds left in overtime by McAdoo, who had 31 points and 21 rebounds, that earned the Braves a 107–105 victory.[14][15] An October 30 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics gave the Braves a half game lead over the Celtics in the Atlantic Division with a 6–4 record.[16] The Braves only won one of their next nine games.[4] It came on November 14 when McAdoo set the franchise single game rebound record with 28 against the Atlanta Hawks. That night, he also scored 31 points for the fourth game in a row.[17] Two weeks later on November 28, the Braves lost when Pete Maravich, who entered the game in the second quarter and posted 42 points off the bench, led the Atlanta Hawks over the Braves by 130–106.[18]

December–January

The Braves' December 12 game against the Celtics was played in Providence, Rhode Island, making it a homecoming game for DiGregorio, the former Providence Friar. The Braves lost for the 20th consecutive time to the Celtics that night.[19] Following a December 30 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Braves fell to a 16–22 record at the end of 1973 but began the New Year with a season high seven-game winning streak.[4] Heard set a career high with 22 rebounds in game five of the streak on January 8.[20] The fifth game of the streak set a new franchise record for consecutive wins and gave the team 21 wins, which matched their total of the prior season.[21][22] The resulting 23–22 record following the January 12 victory over the Capital Bullets gave them their first winning record since their 6–5 start.[4] McAdoo, who would go on to finish second in the NBA Most Valuable Player Award balloting, represented the team in the January 15, 1974 NBA All-Star Game.[3] By the end of the month the Braves had fallen back to a 26–29 record.[4]

February–March

On February 1, the Braves traded Kunnert and Wohl to the Rockets for Goukas and Marin.[23][24] The team then went 10–5 in February.[4] On February 27, the Braves earned their first victory over the Boston Celtics after 22 defeats.[25] By late February, the team had the top scoring offense in the league.[26] They clinched their first playoff experience in a victory at a home game held at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens against the Portland Trail Blazers as McAdoo again had 28 rebounds as well as 29 points.[27][28] The clinching game on March 10 was the Braves 74th game.[10] The team reached five games over .500 three times following their 40th, 41st and 42nd wins but lost the last three games of a five-game western road trip to conclude the season at 42–40.[4] The team made the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division.[2]

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
y-Boston Celtics 56 26 .683 – 26–6 21–18 9–2 17–5
x-New York Knicks 49 33 .598 7 28–13 21–19 0–1 10–12
x- 42 40 .512 14 19–13 17–21 6–6 12–10
Philadelphia 76ers 25 57 .305 31 14–23 9–30 2–4 5–17
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics 56 26 .683 –
2 x-New York Knicks 49 33 .598 7
3 y-Capital Bullets 47 35 .573 9
4 x- 42 40 .512 14
5 Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 21
6 Houston Rockets 32 50 .390 24
7 Cleveland Cavaliers 29 53 .354 27
8 Philadelphia 76ers 25 57 .305 31

Record vs. opponents

1973-74 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS BUF CAP CHI CLE DET GSW HOU KCO LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO POR SEA
Atlanta — 1–5 2–4 4–4 1–3 4–3 0–4 1–3 5–2 1–3 4–0 1–3 1–5 3–3 1–3 2–2 4–0
Boston 5–1 — 5–2 2–4 2–2 4–2 3–1 3–1 4–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 5–2 7–1 3–1 4–0 2–2
Buffalo 4–2 2–5 — 3–3 1–3 5–1 1–3 1–3 4–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 4–4 6–1 3–1 3–1 2–2
Capital 4–4 4–2 3–3 — 1–3 6–1 2–2 3–1 4–3 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–3 4–2 2–2 3–1 2–2
Chicago 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 — 4–0 5–2 4–2 4–0 5–2 1–5 3–3 2–2 3–1 4–2 4–2 4–2
Cleveland 3–4 2–4 1–5 1–6 0–4 — 2–2 0–4 4–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–5 5–1 1–3 4–0 2–2
Detroit 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–5 2–2 — 5–1 3–1 4–2 4–2 3–4 1–3 2–2 6–0 5–1 5–1
Golden State 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 2–4 4–0 1–5 — 4–0 3–3 4–2 3–3 1–3 3–1 5–2 3–4 3–3
Houston 2–5 2–4 2–4 3–4 0–4 4–4 1–3 0–4 — 2–2 2–2 0–4 4–2 4–2 2–2 3–1 1–3
Kansas City-Omaha 3–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–5 4–0 2–4 3–3 2–2 — 1–5 0–7 1–3 1–3 4–2 4–2 2–4
Los Angeles 0–4 2–2 4–0 2–2 5–1 1–3 2–4 2–4 2–2 5–1 — 4–2 2–2 4–0 4–2 4–3 4–3
Milwaukee 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–3 4–0 4–3 3–3 4–0 7–0 2–4 — 2–2 4–0 5–1 6–0 4–2
New York 5–1 2–5 4–4 3–3 2–2 5–1 3–1 3–1 2–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 — 4–3 3–1 2–2 4–0
Philadelphia 3–3 1–7 1–6 2–4 1–3 1–5 2–2 1–3 2–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 3–4 — 3–1 2–2 0–4
Phoenix 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–4 3–1 0–6 2–5 2–2 2–4 2–4 1–5 1–3 1–3 — 3–3 4–3
Portland 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–4 0–4 1–5 4–3 1–3 2–4 3–4 0–6 2–2 2–2 3–3 — 3–3
Seattle 0–4 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–4 2–2 1–5 3–3 3–1 4–2 3–4 2–4 0–4 4–0 3–4 3–3 —

Season schedule

1973–74 game log
Total: 42–40 (home: 25–19; road: 17–21)
October: 6–4 (home: 4–1; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 9 Houston 105–107 (OT) McAdoo (31) McAdoo (21) DiGregorio (14) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
11,462		 1–0
2 October 12 @ Boston 112–118 McAdoo (25) Heard (10) DiGregorio (8) Boston Garden
15,320		 1–1
3 October 13 Los Angeles 122–125 McAdoo (35) McAdoo (21) DiGregorio (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
12,565		 1–2
4 October 16 @ New York 91–117 McMillian (29) Heard, McAdoo (13) DiGregorio (4) Madison Square Garden
17,210		 1–3
5 October 20 Philadelphia 110–116 DiGregorio, McAdoo (24) McAdoo (18) DiGregorio (9) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,232		 2–3
6 October 24 @ Milwaukee 113–130 McAdoo (32) Heard (10) DiGregorio (10) Milwaukee Arena
8,309		 2–4
7 October 26 N Cleveland 97–104 McMillian (36) McAdoo (15) DiGregorio (7) Maple Leaf Gardens
7,187		 3–4
8 October 27 @ Cleveland 111–101 Heard (23) Heard (18) DiGregorio (8) Cleveland Arena
4,313		 4–4
9 October 28 @ Kansas City-Omaha 112–100 McAdoo (44) McAdoo (12) Wohl (5) Municipal Auditorium
5,045		 5–4
10 October 30 Seattle 103–105 DiGregorio, McAdoo, Smith (21) Heard, McAdoo (15) DiGregorio (5) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
7,396		 6–4
November: 4–11 (home: 3–5; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
11 November 2 @ Chicago 97–107 McAdoo (30) McAdoo (15) DiGregorio (8) Chicago Stadium
7,718		 6–5
12 November 3 Golden State 124–121 (OT) McMillian (48) McAdoo (14) DiGregorio (10) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
8,644		 6–6
13 November 4 N Chicago 101–95 (OT) McAdoo (28) McAdoo (18) DiGregorio (9) Maple Leaf Gardens
6,075		 6–7
14 November 7 @ Seattle 113–130 McAdoo (31) McMillian (9) DiGregorio (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,878		 6–8
15 November 9 @ Portland 108–122 McAdoo (31) McMillian (10) Wohl (10) Memorial Coliseum
11,789		 6–9
16 November 10 @ Golden State 105–128 McAdoo (31) McAdoo (16) DiGregorio, McMillian (6) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
5,431		 6–10
17 November 13 Atlanta 114–121 McAdoo (31) McAdoo (28) DiGregorio (13) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,885		 7–10
18 November 15 @ New York 86–97 McAdoo (23) McAdoo (19) DiGregorio (10) Madison Square Garden
17,462		 7–11
19 November 17 Detroit 98–94 McAdoo (23) McAdoo (18) DiGregorio (6) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
8,104		 7–12
20 November 18 @ Capital 112–101 McAdoo (43) McAdoo (17) Wohl (8) Cole Field House
6,134		 8–12
21 November 20 Phoenix 100–127 McAdoo (26) McAdoo (18) DiGregorio (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,088		 9–12
22 November 24 Kansas City-Omaha 131–143 McAdoo (43) McAdoo (17) DiGregorio, Smith (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
16,063		 10–12
23 November 27 Milwaukee 115–110 McMillian (24) McAdoo (11) Smith (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
8,169		 10–13
24 November 28 @ Atlanta 106–130 McMillian (33) McMillian (12) DiGregorio (8) Omni Coliseum
9,531		 10–14
25 November 30 Capital 121–113 McMillian (30) Kauffman, McAdoo (14) DiGregorio (14) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,118		 10–15
December: 6–7 (home: 3–5; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
26 December 5 Portland 110–114 McAdoo (37) McAdoo (14) DiGregorio (10) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
4,355		 11–15
27 December 7 New York 113–108 Smith (27) McAdoo (19) McMillian (7) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
13,172		 11–16
28 December 9 N Boston 114–118 McAdoo (49) McAdoo (17) DiGregorio (11) Maple Leaf Gardens
10,173		 11–17
29 December 11 @ Atlanta 132–127 (OT) McAdoo (37) McAdoo (13) Smith (10) Omni Coliseum
9,115		 12–17
30 December 12 N Boston 119–126 McAdoo (42) McAdoo (11) DiGregorio (9) Providence Civic Center
11,671		 12–18
31 December 14 @ Cleveland 102–98 McAdoo (27) McAdoo (19) DiGregorio (8) Cleveland Arena
2,593		 13–18
32 December 18 Cleveland 93–100 Heard, McAdoo (22) McAdoo (15) McAdoo, Smith (6) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
10,224		 14–18
33 December 21 New York 115–117 McAdoo (29) McAdoo (25) McAdoo (6) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
10,073		 15–18
34 December 22 @ Kansas City-Omaha 112–122 McAdoo (28) Heard (13) DiGregorio (4) Municipal Auditorium
7,546		 15–19
35 December 23 N Capital 110–85 McMillian (22) Heard (21) DiGregorio (6) Maple Leaf Gardens
7,112		 15–20
36 December 26 Boston 125–123 Heard (36) Heard (17) DiGregorio (10) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
12,653		 15–21
37 December 29 @ Phoenix 120–108 McAdoo (30) McAdoo (15) Smith (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,116		 16–21
38 December 30 @ Los Angeles 105–108 McAdoo (35) McAdoo (19) DiGregorio, Heard (5) The Forum
16,787		 16–22
January: 10–7 (home: 5–4; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
39 January 1 @ Portland 120–119 Heard (31) Heard (13) DiGregorio (25) Memorial Coliseum
6,595		 17–22
40 January 2 @ Seattle 115–111 McAdoo (31) McAdoo (12) DiGregorio (12) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,011		 18–22
41 January 5 @ New York 111–110 McAdoo (32) McAdoo (13) DiGregorio, Smith (5) Madison Square Garden
19,694		 19–22
42 January 6 N Atlanta 117–109 McAdoo (34) Heard (20) Smith (10) Maple Leaf Gardens
7,484		 20–22
43 January 8 Atlanta 96–100 McAdoo (32) Heard (22) DiGregorio (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
10,472		 21–22
44 January 11 Houston 99–117 McAdoo (30) Heard, McAdoo (12) Smith (5) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
10,291		 22–22
45 January 12 @ Capital 97–96 McMillian (37) Heard (18) DiGregorio (7) Capital Centre
12,206		 23–22
46 January 13 N Houston 121–112 McMillian (26) McAdoo (17) Smith (9) Maple Leaf Gardens
4,639		 23–23
47 January 18 Capital 94–98 McAdoo (25) McAdoo (16) DiGregorio (14) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
11,227		 24–23
48 January 20 @ Philadelphia 112–129 McAdoo (38) Heard (12) Wohl (4) The Spectrum
3,925		 24–24
49 January 22 Philadelphia 109–119 McMillian (32) Heard (15) DiGregorio (14) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,264		 25–24
50 January 23 N Milwaukee 114–88 McMillian (17) Heard, Kunnert (6) DiGregorio (6) Dane County Veteran Memorial Coliseum
7,325		 25–25
51 January 25 Kansas City-Omaha 118–113 McAdoo (33) McAdoo (17) Smith (7) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
10,297		 25–26
52 January 26 @ Atlanta 122–132 Smith (32) McAdoo (13) DiGregorio (6) Omni Coliseum
8,533		 25–27
53 January 27 @ Houston 122–108 McAdoo (34) McAdoo (13) Wohl (7) Hofheinz Pavilion
3,341		 26–27
54 January 29 Golden State 128–121 Smith (30) McAdoo (15) DiGregorio (12) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,341		 26–28
55 January 30 @ Detroit 96–111 McAdoo (30) Heard (15) McMillian, Smith (6) Cobo Arena
4,732		 26–29
February: 9–5 (home: 6–3; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
56 February 3 N Philadelphia 98–112 McAdoo (28) Heard (17) DiGregorio (12) Maple Leaf Gardens
6,341		 27–29
57 February 6 @ Philadelphia 114–98 McAdoo (40) McAdoo (21) Guokas, McMillian, Smith (6) The Spectrum
2,058		 28–29
58 February 8 Chicago 101–106 McAdoo (29) McAdoo (23) DiGregorio (14) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
13,667		 29–29
59 February 9 @ New York 103–100 (OT) McAdoo (32) McAdoo (20) DiGregorio (8) Madison Square Garden
19,694		 30–29
60 February 10 @ Cleveland 121–125 McAdoo (33) McAdoo (13) McMillian (8) Cleveland Arena
2,997		 30–30
61 February 12 New York 100–93 McAdoo (23) McAdoo (21) DiGregorio (13) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
13,491		 30–31
62 February 13 @ Philadelphia 129–106 McAdoo (30) McAdoo (14) DiGregorio (6) The Spectrum
3,926		 31–31
63 February 15 Detroit 116–118 McAdoo (34) Heard (16) DiGregorio (11) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
15,164		 32–31
64 February 16 @ Capital 92–101 McAdoo (29) McAdoo (13) DiGregorio (8) Capital Centre
12,651		 32–32
65 February 17 @ Houston 135–118 McAdoo (38) McAdoo (9) DiGregorio (10) Hofheinz Pavilion
4,847		 33–32
66 February 19 Milwaukee 109–145 McAdoo (36) Heard (12) Heard (9) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
15,676		 34–32
67 February 21 N New York 97–119 McAdoo (29) Heard (11) DiGregorio (11) Maple Leaf Gardens
1,641		 35–32
68 February 22 Boston 116–109 McAdoo (52) McAdoo (22) DiGregorio (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
18,023		 35–33
69 February 26 Los Angeles 119–112 McAdoo (44) McAdoo (24) DiGregorio (7) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
13,788		 35–34
70 February 27 N Boston 122–104 McAdoo (37) McAdoo (15) DiGregorio (11) Providence Civic Center
10,917		 36–34
March: 6–6 (home: 4–1; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
71 March 1 Boston 94–110 McAdoo (31) McAdoo (18) DiGregorio (10) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
17,378		 37–34
72 March 2 @ Philadelphia 103–99 McAdoo (33) McAdoo (18) DiGregorio (5) The Spectrum
5,833		 38–34
73 March 8 Seattle 123–117 (OT) McAdoo (37) McAdoo (21) Smith (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
16,218		 38–35
74 March 10 N Portland 112–122 McAdoo (29) McAdoo (28) DiGregorio, Smith (7) Maple Leaf Gardens
6,291		 39–35
75 March 12 Phoenix 94–124 McMillian (30) Heard (25) DiGregorio (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
14,244		 40–35
76 March 15 @ Chicago 97–114 Heard (18) Heard (12) Kauffman (6) Chicago Stadium
12,762		 40–36
77 March 16 Cleveland 105–114 Smith (30) Heard (24) DiGregorio (8) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
18,000		 41–36
78 March 17 @ Detroit 109–116 Smith (32) Heard (10) DiGregorio (10) Cobo Arena
10,719		 41–37
79 March 21 @ Golden State 115–102 Smith (23) Heard (17) DiGregorio (11) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,175		 42–37
80 March 22 @ Phoenix 119–126 Heard (31) Heard (14) Kauffman, Winfield (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,604		 42–38
81 March 24 @ Los Angeles 124–150 McAdoo (40) McAdoo (15) DiGregorio (11) The Forum
17,505		 42–39
82 March 26 @ Houston 96–119 McAdoo (35) Marin (11) Smith (8) Hofheinz Pavilion
3,543		 42–40
Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Playoffs

In the 1974 NBA Playoffs the Braves were matched up against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics had won 22 of 24 matches between the teams. However, the Braves had won the most recent two matches after 22 straight defeats, including 5 earlier that season.[29] Through four games, the series was even at two games apiece. However the Celtics would pull away with two more wins to take the series in six games.[2] With rookie DiGregorio and 2nd year McAdoo leading the way, the team became the youngest NBA playoff team (24.42, using data going back to 1952) based on average age weighted by minutes played. The 1977–78 Milwaukee Bucks (23.82) would surpass this record.[30] The Celtics went on to win the NBA championship in the 1974 NBA Finals.[2]

In game 1, the Braves lost a 17-point lead as Dave Cowens led a fourth quarter rally despite five personal fouls.[31][32] In game 2, the Braves evened the series 1–1 with a 115–105 victory despite balanced scoring by the Celtics who had three 20-point scorers: Jo Jo White had 27, Don Nelson had 21 and John Havlicek had 20. McAdoo had 23 and DiGregorio had 18 for Buffalo.[33] The Braves led most of game 2 and held on for the victory.[34] In game 3, the Celtics scored 39 first quarter points on their way to a 120–107 victory. Havlicek had 43 points (26 in the first half), and Cowens added 23 (17 in the first half).[35] The Braves recovered from an early fourth quarter 10-point deficit to win game 4 104–102.[36] The game had a frenetic final 15 seconds as McMillian lost the ball on a drive resulting in a game-tying fast break by the Celtics. Then when a McAdoo shot rolled off the rim, McMillian tipped the ball in as time expired for the victory. The Braves had rallied from an 84–74 deficit to tie the score at 98 largely on the performance of McAdoo.[37] In the game the lead changed hands 9 times, and the Braves outrebounded the Celtics 62–38, including 20–3 offensive rebounds (11 by McMillian).[38] The Celtics won game 5 by a 100–97 margin.[39] Although McAdoo was held to 16 points on the night, the Braves led 89–85 with four minutes left.[40] The Celtics won game 6 of the series when White sank two free throws after time expired in regulation play for a 106–104 victory.[41] McAdoo had tied the score at 104 with 7 seconds left, but he fouled White at midcourt.[42]

In the playoffs, Heard bettered his regular season 15.3 points and 11.7 rebounds averages with 16.8 points and 14.7 rebounds.[11] Likewise, McAdoo contributed 31.7 points and 13.7 rebounds.[3] McMillian contributed 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds.[9] Following the season the team lost Bob Kauffman to the New Orleans Jazz in the May 20, 1974 NBA expansion draft.[43]

Playoff Schedule

1974 playoff game log
Conference Semifinals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 March 30 @ Boston L 97–107 Bob McAdoo (29) Gar Heard (20) Ernie DiGregorio (8) Boston Garden
14,300 		0–1
2 April 2 Boston W 115–105 Bob McAdoo (23) Bob McAdoo (20) Ernie DiGregorio (12) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
17,507 		1–1
3 April 3 @ Boston L 107–120 Bob McAdoo (38) Gar Heard (13) Ernie DiGregorio (8) Boston Garden
14,656 		1–2
4 April 6 Boston W 104–102 Bob McAdoo (44) Jim McMillian (18) Ernie DiGregorio (11) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
18,119 		2–2
5 April 9 @ Boston L 97–100 Randy Smith (25) Gar Heard (16) Ernie DiGregorio (4) Boston Garden
15,320 		2–3
6 April 12 Boston L 104–106 Bob McAdoo (40) McAdoo, Heard (15) Ernie DiGregorio (9) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
18,257 		2–4
1974 schedule

Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Player stats

Legend
GP Games played MPG Minutes per game FG Field-goals per game FGA Field-goals attempted per Game
FG% Field-goal percentage FT Free-throws per game FTA Free-throws attempted per Game FT% Free-throw percentage
ORPG Offensive rebounds per game DRPG Defensive rebounds per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game
SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PFPG Personal fouls per game PPG Points per game
Player GP MPG FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORPG DRPG RPG APG SPG BPG PFPG PPG
Bob McAdoo 74 43 12.2 22.3 0.547 6.2 7.8 0.793 3.8 11.3 15.1 2.3 1.2 3.3 3.4 30.6
Jim McMillian 82 40.5 7.3 14.8 0.494 4 4.6 0.858 2.6 4.8 7.4 3.1 1.6 0.3 2.3 18.6
Randy Smith 82 33.5 6.5 13.2 0.492 2.5 3.5 0.712 1.1 2.8 3.8 4.7 2.5 0 3.2 15.5
Gar Heard 81 35.7 6.5 14.9 0.435 2.4 3.6 0.65 3.3 8.4 11.7 2.2 1.7 2.8 3.7 15.3
Ernie DiGregorio 81 35.9 6.5 15.6 0.421 2.1 2.4 0.902 0.6 2.1 2.7 8.2 0.7 0.1 3 15.2
Jack Marin 27 25.2 5.4 9.9 0.545 2.6 3 0.877 1.1 3.4 4.5 1.7 0.9 0.7 3.4 13.4
Bob Kauffman 74 17.6 2.3 4.9 0.467 1.4 2 0.713 1.3 3.1 4.4 1.9 0.5 0.2 2.1 6.1
Matt Guokas 27 20.3 2.3 4.1 0.555 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.4 1 1.5 2.6 0.7 0.2 2.1 4.9
Dave Wohl 41 14.8 1.5 3.7 0.4 1 1.5 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.7 3.1 0.8 0 1.8 4
Ken Charles 59 11.7 1.5 3.1 0.476 0.9 1.3 0.671 0.4 0.7 1.1 0.9 0.5 0.2 1.5 3.9
Lee Winfield 36 12 1 2.9 0.352 0.9 1.4 0.635 0.5 0.7 1.2 1.3 0.4 0.1 1.2 3
Kevin Kunnert 39 8.7 1.3 2.6 0.485 0.3 0.4 0.688 1.1 1.6 2.7 0.6 0.1 0.6 2.1 2.8
Mike Macaluso 30 3.7 0.6 1.5 0.432 0.3 0.6 0.588 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.1 0.2 0 1 1.6
Paul Ruffner 20 2.6 0.6 1.4 0.407 0.4 0.7 0.615 0.2 0.4 0.6 0 0.1 0.1 0.5 1.5
Jim Garvin 6 1.8 0.2 0.7 0.25 0 0 0.2 0.7 0.8 0 0 0 0.2 0.3

Awards and honors

Transactions

Prior to this season the Braves had lost 60 games or more each year and failed to make the NBA playoffs.[44] Over the course of the season, the team made a series of player transactions that were part of the résumé that earned Buffalo Braves General Manager Eddie Donovan the NBA Executive of the Year Award and put the team into the playoffs for the first time.[45] Donovan's season bolstered his reputation as a wheeler and dealer.[46]

The Braves drafted four players in the 1973 NBA draft who played for the team during the 1973–74 season: DiGregorio, Ken Charles, Mike Macaluso, and Jim Garvin.[47] In addition, the team made two free agent signings. On September 11, 1973, the team signed Paul Ruffner.[48] On September 17, 1973, the team waived Dick Garrett and Bill Hewitt.[49][50] The other members of the 1972–73 team who were not traded or waived and did not play on the 1973–74 team were Howard Komives, Fred Hilton and Harold Fox.[51][52][53] On November 24, 1973, the Braves waived Garvin.[54] On November 27, 1973, the team signed Lee Winfield.[55]

Prior to the 1973–74 NBA season, Gar Heard and Kevin Kunnert were traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Buffalo Braves for John Hummer, a 1974 NBA draft 2nd round pick and a 1975 NBA draft 2nd round pick.[11] Also before the season, the Braves also traded Elmore Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jim McMillian.[2][56] The trade of Smith, who had been the team's leading scorer and rebounder the prior year,[57] was controversial at first.[2] Other trades during the season included the February 1, 1974, trade of Kunnert and Dave Wohl for Matt Guokas and 1973 NBA All-Star Jack Marin.[23]

The Braves were involved in the following transactions during the 1973–74 season.

Trades

September 10, 1973 To Buffalo Braves
 To Chicago Bulls
September 12, 1973 To Buffalo Braves
 To Los Angeles Lakers
February 1, 1974 To Buffalo Braves
 To Houston Rockets

Free agents

References

  1. ^ "Jack Ramsay". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 24, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Buffalo Braves (1970–1978)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bob McAdoo". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "1973-74 Buffalo Braves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  5. ^ "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Rebounds Per Game". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  6. ^ "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Points Per Game". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 3, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c "Ernie DiGregorio". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  8. ^ "Coaches: Nate McMillan". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "Jim McMillian". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c "1973-74 Buffalo Braves Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "Gar Heard". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  12. ^ "Randy Smith". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Lemire, Joe (October 27, 2008). "Grand Entrances: Who had the best first games in sports?". Sports Illustrated. 109 (16): 24. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  14. ^ "McAdoo Hits, 107-105". Los Angeles Times. October 10, 1973. p. E4. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  15. ^ "Lakers Don't Think They'll Miss Wilt All That Much". The Bulletin. October 10, 1973. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  16. ^ Keese, Parton (October 31, 1973). "Braves Win, Take First In Division; Basketball Roundup Bucks 112, Kings 78". The New York Times. p. 54. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  17. ^ "Braves Snap Losing Spin Against Atlanta, 121–114". Herald-Journal. November 14, 1973. p. 5. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  18. ^ "Pete Maravich Takes Control, Scores 42". Reading Eagle. November 29, 1973. p. 49. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  19. ^ "Celts Down Braves". The Telegraph. October 13, 1973. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  20. ^ "Braves Down Hawks". Herald-Journal. January 9, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  21. ^ "McAdoo Sparks Buffalo To Fifth Straight Win". The Palm Beach Post. January 9, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  22. ^ "Surging Braves Roar By Hawks, 100–96". Rome News-Tribune. January 8, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  23. ^ a b "Jack Marin". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  24. ^ "Two Rocket Vets Traded To Buffalo". Bangor Daily News. February 1, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  25. ^ "Braves Win, 122-104, Now 1-22 Against Celts". Los Angeles Times. February 28, 1974. p. C4. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  26. ^ "Knicks' Offense Beats Buffalo Braves' Defense". Lewiston Evening Journal. February 22, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  27. ^ "Braves Gain Playoffs". The New York Times. March 11, 1974. p. 40. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  28. ^ "Buffalo moves into playoffs with victory over Blazers". The Bulletin. March 11, 1974. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  29. ^ Pike, Marvin R. (March 29, 1974). "Consistency Key to Win For Braves". Schenectady Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  30. ^ Biderman, David (April 16, 2010). "Youngest Playoff Teams". The Wall Street Journal. p. W4.
  31. ^ "Cowens Rallies Celtics Over Braves, 107-97". Los Angeles Times. March 31, 1974. p. C5. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  32. ^ White, Gordon S. Jr. (March 31, 1974). "Celtics, Behind 1 7 Points, Set Back Braves, 107-97; Celtic Rally Tops Braves In Playoffs". The New York Times. p. 217. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  33. ^ Brown, Frank (April 1, 1974). "Surprising Braves tie Celtics at one game apiece in playoffs". Daily News. p. 22. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  34. ^ White, Gordon S. Jr. (April 3, 1974). "Braves Defeat Celtics; Special to The New York Times". The New York Times. p. 52. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  35. ^ "Celtics Romp By Braves". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. April 4, 1974. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  36. ^ McGowen, Deane (April 7, 1974). "Braves Top Celtics in Last Second". The New York Times. p. 219. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  37. ^ "Buffalo, Celts deadlocked". Tri City Herald. April 3, 1974. p. 70. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  38. ^ "Boston's Rebounding Needs Improvement Versus Braves". Herald-Journal. April 8, 1974. p. 21. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  39. ^ White, Gordon S. Jr. (April 10, 1974). "Celtics Win, Lead by 3-2 In Playoffs Bulls Take 3-2 Lead". The New York Times. p. 23. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  40. ^ "Cowens, Havlicek, White pace Celts past Braves". Bangor Daily News. April 10, 1974. p. 14. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  41. ^ White, Gordon S. Jr. (April 13, 1974). "Celtics Top Braves, Win Series, 4-2". The New York Times. p. 31. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  42. ^ "Celts End Buffalo Hopes". Eugene Register-Guard. April 13, 1974. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  43. ^ "Bob Kauffman". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  44. ^ "Los Angeles Clippers Franchise Index". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  45. ^ "Denver's Mark Warkentien named NBA Executive of the Year". NBA.com. May 3, 2009. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  46. ^ Goldaper, Sam (February 5, 1974). "Donovan Dealing Braves Into Playoffs". The New York Times. p. 43. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  47. ^ "1973 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  48. ^ "Paul Ruffner". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  49. ^ "Bill Hewitt". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  50. ^ "Dick Garrett". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  51. ^ "Howard Komives". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  52. ^ "Fred Hilton". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  53. ^ "Harold Fox". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  54. ^ "James Garvin (basketball)". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  55. ^ "Lee Winfield". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  56. ^ Goldaper, Sam (September 18, 1973). "Lakers Trade McMillian For Braves' 7-1 Smith". The New York Times. p. 53. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  57. ^ "Braves Trade Smith To LA". Herald-Journal. September 17, 1973. Retrieved October 17, 2010.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.