1970 NBA Finals

{{Main article|1970 NBA Playoffs}}

{{Main|1969–70 New York Knicks season}}

{{NBA roster header|team=New York Knicks|season=1969-70 Eastern Division Champions}}

{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Dick | last = Barnett | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 190 | college = Tennessee State | DOB = 1936–10–02 }}

{{player2 | num = 17 | first = Nate | last = Bowman | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 230 | college = Wichita State | DOB = 1945–03–19 }}

{{player2 | num = 24 | first = Bill | last = Bradley | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 205 | college = Princeton | DOB = 1943–07–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 22 | first = Dave | last = DeBusschere | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 220 | college = Detroit Mercy | DOB = 1940–10–16 }}

{{player2 | num = 10 | first = Walt | last = Frazier | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 200 | college = Southern Illinois | DOB = 1945–03–29 }}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = Bill Jr. | last = Hosket | link = Bill Hosket, Jr. | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 225 | college = Ohio State | DOB = 1946–12–20 }}

{{player2 | num = 18 | first = Phil | last = Jackson | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 220 | college = North Dakota | DOB = 1945-09-17 | note=IN }}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = Don | last = May | dab = basketball | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 200 | college = Dayton | DOB = 1946–01–03 }}

{{player2 | num = 19 | first = Willis | last = Reed | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 235 | college = Grambling State | DOB = 1942–06–25 }}

{{player2 | num = 6 | first = Mike | last = Riordan | dab = basketball | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 200 | college = Providence | DOB = 1945–07–09 }}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Cazzie | last = Russell | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 218 | college = Michigan | DOB = 1944–06–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 9 | first = Dave | last = Stallworth | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 200 | college = Wichita State | DOB = 1941–12–20 }}

{{player2 | num = 16 | first = John | last = Warren | dab = basketball | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 180 | college = St. John's | DOB = 1947–07–07 }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

• Red Holzman

| asst_coach =

}}

{{Main|1969–70 Los Angeles Lakers season}}

{{NBA roster header|team=Los Angeles Lakers|season=1969–70 Western Division Champions}}

{{player2 | num = 22 | first = Elgin | last = Baylor | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1934-09-16 | college = Seattle University }}

{{player2 | num = 13 | first = Wilt | last = Chamberlain | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 1 | lbs = 275 | DOB = 1936-08-21 | college = Kansas }}

{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Mel | last = Counts | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 230 | DOB = 1941-10-16 | college = Oregon State}}

{{player2 | num = 21 | first = Johnny | last = Egan | dab = basketball | pos = PG | ft = 5 | in = 11 | lbs = 180 | DOB = 1939-01-31 | college = Providence}}

{{player2 | num = 24 | first = Keith | last = Erickson | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 195 | DOB = 1944-04-19 | college = UCLA}}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = Dick | last = Garrett | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 1947-01-31 | college = Southern Illinois}}

{{player2 | num = 52 | first = Happy | last = Hairston | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1942-05-31 | college = NYU}}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = Bill | last = Hewitt | dab = basketball | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1944-08-08 | college = USC}}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Mike | last = Lynn | dab = basketball | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 215 | DOB = 1945-11-25 | college = UCLA}}

{{player2 | num = 15 | first = Willie | last = McCarter | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 175 | DOB = 1946-07-26 | college = Drake University}}

{{player2 | num = 35 | first = Rick | last = Roberson | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 231 | DOB = 1947-07-07 | college = Cincinnati}}

{{player2 | num = 14 | first = John | last = Tresvant | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 215 | DOB = 1939-11-06 | college = Seattle University}}

{{player2 | num = 44 | first = Jerry | last = West | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 175 | DOB = 1938-05-28 | college = West Virginia }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

• Joe Mullaney

| asst_coach =

}}

Knicks win series 4–3

Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1970-nba-finals-lakers-vs-knicks.html|title=1970 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Knicks|work=Basketball-Reference.com|publisher=SportsDirect|access-date=27 February 2016}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 24 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197004240NYK.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 112

| team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 124

| Q1 = 25–35 | Q2 = 29–30 | Q3 = 38–24 | Q4 = 20–35

| points1 = Jerry West 33 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 24 | assist1 = Wilt Chamberlain 5

| points2 = Willis Reed 37 | rebounds2 = Reed, DeBusschere 16 each | assist2 = Dick Barnett 9

| place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500

| series = New York leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197004270NYK.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 105

| team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 103

| Q1 = 28–24 | Q2 = 24–28 | Q3 = 29–29 | Q4 = 24–22

| points1 = Jerry West 34 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 24 | assist1 = Garrett, Erickson 6 each

| points2 = Willis Reed 29 | rebounds2 = Willis Reed 15 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 11

| place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500

| series = Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197004290LAL.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 111

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 108

| overtime = OT

| Q1 = 20–26 | Q2 = 22–30 | Q3 = 26–17 | Q4 = 34–29 | OT = 9–6

| points1 = Willis Reed 38 | rebounds1 = Willis Reed 17 | assist1 = Walt Frazier 7

| points2 = Jerry West 34 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 26 | assist2 = Elgin Baylor 11

| place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,509

| series = New York leads series, 2–1

}}

• Jerry West hit a desperation buzzer-beating 60-foot shot to tie it at 102 and force OT. If a three-point line had existed at the time, it would've won the game for the Lakers and potentially the Finals, likely going to down as the greatest shot in NBA history.{{Cite web |last=Dizon |first=Orel |date=2023-11-01 |title=“We were lucky that there were no 3-point shots back then” - Walt Frazier on Jerry West’s 60-foot buzzer-beater in the 1970 Finals |url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/walt-frazier-on-jerry-wests-60-foot-buzzer-beater-in-the-1970-finals#:~:text=West's%20shot%20sent%20Game%203,lead%20in%20the%201970%20Finals.&text=The%201970%20NBA%20Finals%20brought,'%22 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Basketball Network - Your daily dose of basketball |language=en}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = May 1 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197005010LAL.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 115

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 121

| overtime = OT

| Q1 = 27–24 | Q2 = 20–30 | Q3 = 20–17 | Q4 = 32–28 | OT = 16–22

| points1 = Dick Barnett 29 | rebounds1 = Dave Stallworth 13 | assist1 = Walt Frazier 11

| points2 = Jerry West 37 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 25 | assist2 = Jerry West 18

| place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,509

| series = Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = May 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197005040NYK.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 100

| team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 107

| Q1 = 30–20 | Q2 = 23–20 | Q3 = 29–35 | Q4 = 18–32

| points1 = Wilt Chamberlain 22 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 19 | assist1 = Keith Erickson 6

| points2 = Walt Frazier 21 | rebounds2 = Cazzie Russell 8 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 12

| place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500

| series = New York leads series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = May 6 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197005060LAL.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 113

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 135

| Q1 = 16–36 | Q2 = 35–35 | Q3 = 29–28 | Q4 = 33–36

| points1 = Dave DeBusschere 25 | rebounds1 = Dave DeBusschere 9 | assist1 = Dick Barnett 8

| points2 = Wilt Chamberlain 45 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 27 | assist2 = Jerry West 13

| place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,509

| series = Series tied, 3–3

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = May 8 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197005080NYK.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 99

| team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 113

| Q1 = 24–38 | Q2 = 18–31 | Q3 = 27–25 | Q4 = 30–19

| points1 = Jerry West 28 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 24 | assist1 = Keith Erickson 6

| points2 = Walt Frazier 36 | rebounds2 = Dave DeBusschere 17 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 19

| place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500

| series = New York wins series, 4–3

|referee=*No. 5 Mendy Rudolph

• No. 26 Richie Powers}}

{{external media|video1={{YouTube|ZiWzpL_bxKM|Full game broadcast}}}}

The 1970 NBA Finals were the first to be nationally televised in full, with ABC providing the coverage. Chris Schenkel was the play-by-play man, with Jack Twyman serving as the color analyst. Howard Cosell provided interviews from the Knicks' locker room following Game 7 and was famously doused with champagne.

However, the Knicks' victory in Game 7 was not seen live on broadcast TV in New York; ABC's coverage was blacked out on WABC-TV, causing a raft of angry fans to deluge the WABC switchboard. Schenkel made an announcement during the broadcast that the game would be aired in New York at 11:30 p.m. that night. The game was shown live on the premium-channel MSG Network in New York City, which was then only available in about 25,000 cable households in Manhattan.

Since the 1970 finals, every NBA Finals game has been carried across the United States, though local blackouts would take some time to subside.

{{NBA roster statistics legend}}

;New York Knicks

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=New York Knicks}}

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Willis|Reed}} || 6 || || 37.7 || .484 || || .588 || 10.5 || 2.8 || || || 23.0

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Dave|DeBusschere}} || 7 || || 38.1 || .455 || || .722 || 12.6 || 2.6 || || || 19.0

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Dick|Barnett}} || 7 || || 40.6 || .448 || || .897 || 2.3 || 4.3 || || || 18.6

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Walt|Frazier}} || 7 || || 43.1 || .541 || || .775 || 7.7 || 10.4 || || || 17.6

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Bill|Bradley}} || 7 || || 35.6 || .388 || || .750 || 4.0 || 2.7 || || || 12.1

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Cazzie|Russell}} || 7 || || 18.6 || .492 || || 1.000 || 3.6 || 1.4 || || || 9.3

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Dave|Stallworth}} || 7 || || 14.0 || .447 || || 1.000 || 4.7 || 1.6 || || || 7.0

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Mike|Riordan| dab = basketball}} || 7 || || 13.0 || .387 || || .857 || 1.9 || 1.4 || || || 4.3

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Nate|Bowman}} || 7 || || 9.7 || .481 || || .600 || 3.0 || 0.3 || || || 4.1

|-

| align="left" | Bill Hosket || 2 || || 4.5 || .250 || || || 0.5 || 0.5 || || || 1.0

|-

| align="left" | John Warren || 4 || || 1.5 || 1.000 || || || 0.0 || 0.3 || || || 0.5

{{s-end}}

;Los Angeles Lakers

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Los Angeles Lakers}}

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Jerry|West}} || 7 || || 47.9 || .450 || || .833 || 3.4 || 7.7 || || || 31.3

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Wilt|Chamberlain}} || 7 || || 47.6 || .625 || || .343 || 24.1 || 4.0 || || || 23.3

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Elgin|Baylor}} || 7 || || 40.0 || .486 || || .778 || 11.3 || 4.7 || || || 17.9

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Dick|Garrett}} || 7 || || 36.7 || .474 || || .944 || 3.0 || 2.1 || || || 13.0

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Keith|Erickson}} || 7 || || 38.7 || .479 || || .722 || 4.4 || 4.7 || || || 11.6

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Happy|Hairston}} || 6 || || 17.5 || .471 || || .636 || 4.3 || 1.5 || || || 6.5

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Johnny|Egan| dab = basketball }} || 7 || || 10.3 || .526 || || 1.000 || 0.1 || 0.9 || || || 3.6

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|John|Tresvant}} || 4 || || 9.3 || .333 || || .800 || 2.8 || 1.3 || || || 4.5

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Mel|Counts}} || 3 || || 9.0 || .357 || || .667 || 2.7 || 0.3 || || || 4.0

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Rick|Roberson}} || 3 || || 3.3 || .500 || || .500 || 1.3 || 0.0 || || || 2.3

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Mike|Lynn}} || 1 || || 1.0 || || || || 0.0 || 0.0 || || || 0.0

|-

| align="left" | {{sortname|Willie|McCarter}} || 1 || || 2.0 || .000 || || || 1.0 || 1.0 || || || 0.0

{{s-end}}

Source:

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/25/archives/knicks-conquer-lakers-124112-in-first-game-of-nba-final-at-garden.html New York Times (April 25, 1970) Game 1: "Knicks Conquer Lakers, 124-112, in First Game of N.B.A. Final at Garden"]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/29/archives/homecourt-edge-to-lakers-tonight-knicks-on-coast-for-third-game-in.html New York Times (April 29, 1970) Game 3: "HOME-COURT EDGE TO LAKERS TONIGHT"]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/02/archives/lakers-overcome-knicks-121115-in-overtime-and-tie-final-series-at.html New York Times (May 2, 1970) Game 4: "Lakers Overcome Knicks, 121-115, in Overtime and Tie Final Series at 2-2"]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/05/archives/their-big-man-out-early-with-an-injury-the-knicks-fight-back-to.html New York Times (May 5, 1970) Game 5: "Their Big Man Out Early With an Injury, the Knicks Fight Back to Overcome Big Deficit"]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/07/archives/lakers-overwhelm-knicks-135113-to-square-title-playoff-series-at-33.html New York Times (May 7, 1970) Game 6: "Lakers Overwhelm Knicks, 135-113, to Square Title Playoff Series at 3-3"]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/09/archives/knicks-take-first-title-beating-lakers-113-to-99-frazier-scores-36.html New York Times (May 9, 1970) Game 7: "Knicks Take First Title, Beating Lakers, 113 to 99"]

{{NBA Finals}}

{{New York Knicks 1969–70 NBA champions}}

{{New York Knicks}}

{{Los Angeles Lakers}}

{{1969–70 NBA season by team}}

{{NBA on ABC}}

{{NBA on Mutual}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1970 Nba Finals}}

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Category:1970s in Los Angeles County, California