Noon, June 5, 1977. Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers faced the Philadelphia 76ers with a chance to end the series, while the 76ers needed a win to bring the series back to Philadelphia for a game 7.
The Blazers were the underdog in the series. In fact, the Lakers with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had been favored over Portland in the Western Conference finals. No matter. The Blazers took the Lakers in four straight games. The 76ers though were another matter. Philadelphia took care of business in games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia. Game 2 ended 107-89, but during the game Daryl Dawkins body slammed Bob Gross. A bench-clearing brawl broke out, and Portland found its fight, literally and figuratively. Portland rallied to win games 3 and 4 in Portland, both by wide margins. By winning game 5 back in Philadelphia, Portland put themselves in the driver’s seat, but they almost let it get away. The Blazers led 85-66, but the 76ers stormed back in the fourth quarter, led by Julius Erving. The deficit was just too much, as the Portland held on 110-104. Erving finished with 37 points.
Back in Portland for game 6, the Blazers started Lionel Hollins, Bill Walton, Bob Gross, Maurice Lucas, and Johnny Davis. The 76ers countered with Erving, George McGinnis, Doug Collins, Henry Bibby, and Caldwell Jones. The game was electric. Walton was tremendous, blocking shots on one end and hitting cutters with precision passes on the other. Erving held court for the 76ers, answering Portland’s attack with spectacular drives and dunks.
A second quarter outburst gave the Blazers a 12-point lead at halftime, but 76ers whittled away the lead in the second half. Portland held a 9-point edge after three. Once again Philadelphia put the comeback into full gear in the fourth quarter. The lead stood at 4 points with 27 seconds left on the clock when George McGinnis buried a jumper. McGinnis then forced a jump ball immediately after the inbounds pass to Gross. McGinnis won the tip, leading to a wide-open jump for Erving... which he missed. The rebound fell to World B. Free, whose shot was blocked out of bounds by Gross.
One last chance remained for the 76ers with 4 seconds remaining. A runner from McGinnis fell short and the Blazers became champions for the first (and so far only) time.
The two brightest stars of the game shone in very different ways. Walton had 23 rebounds, 8 blocks and 7 assists to go along with 20 points. Erving had 40 points with 8 assists and 6 boards.
Enjoy the last 30 seconds of game 6 from 48 years ago today.
What do you remember of the Blazers’ championship victory? Share your reflections in the comments section!