1972 NBA Playoffs

The 1972 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1971-72 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. Wilt Chamberlain was named NBA Finals MVP.

The Lakers finished the regular season with the best record in NBA history at 69-13, a mark that was unequalled until the 1996 Bulls finished 72-10. Led by Chamberlain and Jerry West, the Lakers won their first championship in Los Angeles; their last title had been in 1954 as the Minneapolis Lakers.

The Lakers won their first NBA Finals in their last 9 appearances, without superstar Elgin Baylor, who had played in each of the preceding 8 losses. Baylor retired nine games into the season because of ongoing knee problems.

Western Conference

Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

Conference Semifinals

(P1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (M2) Chicago Bulls: Lakers win series 4-0

• Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 95, Chicago 88
• Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 131, Chicago 124
• Game 3 @ Chicago: Los Angeles 108, Chicago 101
• Game 4 @ Chicago: Los Angeles 108, Chicago 97

(M1) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (P2) Golden State Warriors: Bucks win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ Milwaukee: Golden State 117, Milwaukee 106
• Game 2 @ Milwaukee: Milwaukee 118, Golden State 93
• Game 3 @ Golden State: Milwaukee 122, Golden State 94
• Game 4 @ Golden State: Milwaukee 106, Golden State 99
• Game 5 @ Milwaukee: Milwaukee 108, Golden State 100

Conference Finals

(P1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (M1) Milwaukee Bucks: Lakers win series 4-2

• Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Milwaukee 93, Los Angeles 72
• Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 135, Milwaukee 134
• Game 3 @ Milwaukee: Los Angeles 108, Milwaukee 105
• Game 4 @ Milwaukee: Milwaukee 114, Los Angeles 88
• Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 115, Milwaukee 90
• Game 6 @ Milwaukee: Los Angeles 104, Milwaukee 100

Eastern Conference

Champion: New York Knicks

Conference Semifinals

(A1) Boston Celtics vs. (C2) Atlanta Hawks: Celtics win series 4-2

• Game 1 @ Boston: Boston 126, Atlanta 108
• Game 2 @ Atlanta: Atlanta 113, Boston 104
• Game 3 @ Boston: Boston 136, Atlanta 113
• Game 4 @ Atlanta: Atlanta 112, Boston 110
• Game 5 @ Boston: Boston 124, Atlanta 114
• Game 6 @ Atlanta: Boston 127, Atlanta 118

(C1) Baltimore Bullets vs. (A2) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4-2

• Game 1 @ Baltimore: Baltimore 108, New York 105 (OT)
• Game 2 @ New York: New York 110, Baltimore 88
• Game 3 @ Baltimore: Baltimore 104, New York 103
• Game 4 @ New York: New York 104, Baltimore 98
• Game 5 @ Baltimore: New York 106, Baltimore 82
• Game 6 @ New York: New York 107, Baltimore 101

Conference Finals

(A1) Boston Celtics vs. (A2) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ Boston: New York 116, Boston 94
• Game 2 @ New York: New York 106, Boston 105
• Game 3 @ Boston: Boston 115, New York 109
• Game 4 @ New York: New York 116, Boston 98
• Game 5 @ Boston: New York 111, Boston 103

NBA Finals

(P1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (A2) New York Knicks: Lakers win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ Los Angeles: New York 114, Los Angeles 92
• Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 106, New York 92
• Game 3 @ New York: Los Angeles 107, New York 96
• Game 4 @ New York: Los Angeles 116, New York 111 (OT)
• Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 114, New York 100 (The Lakers win their first title after moving to L.A.)

External links

• Basketball-Reference.com's 1972 NBA Playoffs page