1982 NBA Playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 1982 NBA Playoffs
was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
's 1981-1982 season
. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference
champion Los Angeles Lakers
defeating the Eastern Conference
champion Philadelphia 76ers
, four games to two in the NBA Finals
. The Lakers won their eighth NBA championship (third in Los Angeles) and Magic Johnson
won his second NBA Finals MVP award.
It was the second NBA Finals meeting in three years between the Lakers and Sixers, and ended with the same result—a six-game Lakers victory—as the previous confrontation. The Lakers and Sixers would meet once more the following year
, with Philadelphia getting their revenge in a four-game sweep.
The Washington Bullets' two-game sweep of the New Jersey Nets
would be their last playoff series victory for 23 years; they would not advance to the second round again until 2005
.
This was the third consecutive year the Milwaukee Bucks would fail to advance to the third round with the #2 seed in spite of getting a first round bye.
(3) Seattle SuperSonics
vs. (6) Houston Rockets
SuperSonics win series 2-1
(4) Denver Nuggets
vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
Suns win series 2-1
vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
Lakers win series 4-0
(2) San Antonio Spurs
vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
Spurs win series 4-1
vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs
Lakers win series 4-0
(3) Philadelphia 76ers
vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
76ers win series 2-0
(4) New Jersey Nets
vs. (5) Washington Bullets
Bullets win series 2-0
vs. (5) Washington Bullets
Celtics win series 4-1
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
76ers win series 4-2
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
76ers win series 4-3
The Celtics were not able to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, losing Game 7 at home. The Boston Garden crowd in Game 7 chanted "Beat LA! Beat LA!" to the victorious Sixers.
vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers win series 4-2
Despite not having home-court advantage, the Lakers took Game 1 in Philadelphia and then the home team won every game from that point on in the series. The Lakers won the series in 6 games and the Sixers would have to wait 12 more months to get their revenge.
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's 1981-1982 season
1981-82 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Moses Malone, Houston Rockets*Rookie of the Year: Buck Williams, New Jersey Nets*Coach of the Year: Gene Shue, Washington Bullets*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference
Western Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
champion Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
defeating the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
champion Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, four games to two in the NBA Finals
1982 NBA Finals
The 1982 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1981-82 NBA season, the top level of competition in men's professional basketball in North America. The series saw the Los Angeles Lakers face the Philadelphia 76ers....
. The Lakers won their eighth NBA championship (third in Los Angeles) and Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
won his second NBA Finals MVP award.
It was the second NBA Finals meeting in three years between the Lakers and Sixers, and ended with the same result—a six-game Lakers victory—as the previous confrontation. The Lakers and Sixers would meet once more the following year
1983 NBA Playoffs
The 1983 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1982-1983 season. This was the final postseason using the 12-team format, before the NBA expanded the postseason to 16 teams the next season...
, with Philadelphia getting their revenge in a four-game sweep.
The Washington Bullets' two-game sweep of the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
would be their last playoff series victory for 23 years; they would not advance to the second round again until 2005
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
.
This was the third consecutive year the Milwaukee Bucks would fail to advance to the third round with the #2 seed in spite of getting a first round bye.
Bracket
First Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers and (2) San Antonio Spurs have 1st-round byes.(3) Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
vs. (6) Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
SuperSonics win series 2-1
- Game 1 @ Seattle: Seattle 102, Houston 87
- Game 2 @ Houston: Houston 91, Seattle 70
- Game 3 @ Seattle: Seattle 104, Houston 83
(4) Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
Suns win series 2-1
- Game 1 @ Denver: Denver 129, Phoenix 113
- Game 2 @ Phoenix: Phoenix 126, Denver 110
- Game 3 @ Denver: Phoenix 124, Denver 119
Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
Lakers win series 4-0
- Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 115, Phoenix 96
- Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 117, Phoenix 98
- Game 3 @ Phoenix: Los Angeles 114, Phoenix 106
- Game 4 @ Phoenix: Los Angeles 112, Phoenix 107
(2) San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
Spurs win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Seattle: San Antonio 95, Seattle 93
- Game 2 @ Seattle: Seattle 114, San Antonio 99
- Game 3 @ San Antonio: San Antonio 99, Seattle 97
- Game 4 @ San Antonio: San Antonio 115, Seattle 113
- Game 5 @ Seattle: San Antonio 109, Seattle 103
Conference Finals
(1) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
Lakers win series 4-0
- Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 128, San Antonio 117
- Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 110, San Antonio 101
- Game 3 @ San Antonio: Los Angeles 118, San Antonio 108
- Game 4 @ San Antonio: Los Angeles 128, San Antonio 123
First Round
(1) Boston Celtics and (2) Milwaukee Bucks have first-round byes.(3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
76ers win series 2-0
- Game 1 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 111, Atlanta 76
- Game 2 @ Atlanta: Philadelphia 98, Atlanta 95
(4) New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (5) Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
Bullets win series 2-0
- Game 1 @ New Jersey: Washington 96, New Jersey 83
- Game 2 @ Washington: Washington 103, New Jersey 92
Conference Semifinals
(1) Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (5) Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
Celtics win series 4-1
- Game 1 @ Boston: Boston 109, Washington 91
- Game 2 @ Boston: Washington 103, Boston 102
- Game 3 @ Washington: Boston 92, Washington 83
- Game 4 @ Washington: Boston 103, Washington 99
- Game 5 @ Boston: Boston 131, Washington 126
(2) Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
76ers win series 4-2
- Game 1 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 125, Milwaukee 122
- Game 2 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 120, Milwaukee 108
- Game 3 @ Milwaukee: Milwaukee 92, Philadelphia 91 (Sidney MoncriefSidney MoncriefSidney A. Moncrief is a retired American professional basketball player. As an NCAA college basketball player from 1975–1979, Moncrief led the University of Arkansas Razorbacks trio known as "The Triplets" to the 1978 Final Four, which ended in a win in the NCAA Consolation Game versus #6 Notre Dame...
nails a game-winning shot at the buzzer) - Game 4 @ Milwaukee: Philadelphia 100, Milwaukee 93
- Game 5 @ Philadelphia: Milwaukee 110, Philadelphia 98
- Game 6 @ Milwaukee: Philadelphia 102, Milwaukee 90
Conference Finals
(1) Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
76ers win series 4-3
- Game 1 @ Boston: Boston 121, Philadelphia 81
- Game 2 @ Boston: Philadelphia 121, Boston 113
- Game 3 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 99, Boston 97
- Game 4 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 119, Boston 94
- Game 5 @ Boston: Boston 114, Philadelphia 85
- Game 6 @ Philadelphia: Boston 88, Philadelphia 75
- Game 7 @ Boston: Philadelphia 120, Boston 106
The Celtics were not able to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, losing Game 7 at home. The Boston Garden crowd in Game 7 chanted "Beat LA! Beat LA!" to the victorious Sixers.
NBA Finals
(3) Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Lakers win series 4-2
- Game 1 @ Philadelphia: Los Angeles 124, Philadelphia 117
- Game 2 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 110, Los Angeles 94
- Game 3 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 129, Philadelphia 108
- Game 4 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 111, Philadelphia 101
- Game 5 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 135, Los Angeles 102
- Game 6 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 114, Philadelphia 104
Despite not having home-court advantage, the Lakers took Game 1 in Philadelphia and then the home team won every game from that point on in the series. The Lakers won the series in 6 games and the Sixers would have to wait 12 more months to get their revenge.