1970 NBA playoffs

Bracket

| RD1-group1=Eastern Division | RD1-group2=Western Division

| RD1-seed1=E1 | RD1-team1=New York* | RD1-score1=4 | RD1-seed2=E3 | RD1-team2=Baltimore | RD1-score2=3

| RD1-seed3=E4 | RD1-team3=Philadelphia | RD1-score3=1 | RD1-seed4=E2 | RD1-team4=Milwaukee | RD1-score4=4

| RD1-seed5=W1 | RD1-team5=Atlanta* | RD1-score5=4 | RD1-seed6=W3 | RD1-team6=Chicago | RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=W4 | RD1-team7=Phoenix | RD1-score7=3 | RD1-seed8=W2 | RD1-team8=Los Angeles | RD1-score8=4

| RD2-seed1=E1 | RD2-team1=New York* | RD2-score1=4 | RD2-seed2=E2 | RD2-team2=Milwaukee | RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=W1 | RD2-team3=Atlanta* | RD2-score3=0 | RD2-seed4=W2 | RD2-team4=Los Angeles | RD2-score4=4

| RD3-seed1=E1 | RD3-team1=New York* | RD3-score1=4 | RD3-seed2=W2 | RD3-team2=Los Angeles | RD3-score2=3 |* Division winner |Bold Series winner |Italic Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals}}

Division Semifinals

Eastern Division Semifinals

(1) [[New York Knicks]] vs. (3) [[Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)|Baltimore Bullets]]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.

(2) [[Milwaukee Bucks]] vs. (4) [[Philadelphia 76ers]]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Western Division Semifinals

(1) [[Atlanta Hawks]] vs. (3) [[Chicago Bulls]]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning the first meeting while based in St. Louis.

(2) [[Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (4) [[Phoenix Suns]]

• The Lakers become the second team to come back from a 3–1 series deficit.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Division Finals

Eastern Division Finals

(1) [[New York Knicks]] vs. (2) [[Milwaukee Bucks]]

• Guy Rodgers' final NBA game.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Western Division Finals

(1) [[Atlanta Hawks]] vs. (2) [[Los Angeles Lakers]]

This was the 10th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning five of the first nine meetings.

NBA Finals: (E1) New York Knicks vs. (W2) Los Angeles Lakers

Main article: 1970 NBA Finals

• Jerry West (who suffered a jammed thumb in the first half) hit a desperation buzzer-beating 60-foot shot to tie it at 102 and force overtime. The Knicks pulled ahead in overtime for good when Willis Reed shot a free throw and Dick Barnett made a field goal to close the scoring. Bandaged hand and all, West later stated that the Lakers would beat the Knicks in the next game.

• Willis Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warmups, prompting widespread applause and inspiring the Knicks to win the title.

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings while based in Minneapolis.

References

References

1. "Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
2. "Team Rivalry Finder — Milwaukee Bucks versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
3. "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Chicago Bulls (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
4. "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
5. "Team Rivalry Finder — Milwaukee Bucks versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
6. "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
7. Stevenson, Jack. (May 1, 1970). "LA's West Will Play With Hurt Thumb". Colorado Springs Gazette.
8. "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.