1972 NBA Finals
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[edit] Series Summary
This series was notable for two things. First, it was the series that finally gave Los Angeles a NBA championship after several runner-up finishes in the 1960s. It gave deserving title rings to all-time superstars Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. Their season had included a tremendous record-33 straight wins. The Lakers had the top offense in the NBA. The second thing was the tremendous play of New York, without fan favorite Willis Reed at center. 6'9 Jerry Lucas, a former All-Pro forward, took over for Reed and baffled defenses all year with outside bombing, smart passing and surprising defense. Dave DeBusschere and Walt Frazier had tremendous seasons as well, leading the league's third-best defense with Lucas in the middle. New York had upset powerful Boston, while LA topped Milwaukee in one of the greatest playoff series of all-time. Lucas was no match for Chamberlain at center ( few ever were ), but outscored and outpassed the giant, scorching him in Game One. Chamberlain and Happy Hairston owned the backboards, especially after DeBusschere and Frazier were injured and missed games. Gail Goodrich also badly outplayed a limping Earl Monroe. This second LA-New York series put the NBA at the top of the nation's media coverage, a place the NBA has often missed in it's history.
| Game | Date | Home Team | Result | Road Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | April 26 | Los Angeles | 92-114 | New York |
| Game 2 | April 30 | Los Angeles | 106-92 | New York |
| Game 3 | May 3 | New York | 96-107 | Los Angeles |
| Game 4 | May 5 | New York | 111-116 | Los Angeles |
| Game 5 | May 7 | Los Angeles | 114-100 | New York |
Lakers win series 4-1
| NBA Finals 1947 |
1948 |
1949
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