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1977–78 Washington Bullets season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
(Defeated SuperSonics 4–3) (Jim Karvellas, Gus Johnson) (Frank Herzog)
The 1977–78 Washington Bullets season was the team's 17th season in the NBA and their 5th season in the city of Washington, D.C. It would prove to be their most successful season, as they would win their first and only NBA championship . In the NBA Finals, they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games.
The Bullets got off to a slow start in the regular season, losing 6 of their first 10 games. On January 13, the Bullets beat the defending Champion Portland Trail Blazers to improve to 24–15, capping an 18–5 run over 23 games. Injuries would begin to have an effect on the team as the Bullets struggled, as they would lose 13 of their next 18 games. Hovering a few games above .500 for the rest of the season, the Bullets managed to make the playoffs with a 44–38 record. They hold the record for the lowest winning percentage () of any NBA Championship winning team. The 1968–69 Boston Celtics, 1974–75 Golden State Warriors, 1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers, and 1994–95 Houston Rockets are the only other NBA championship teams to have won below 50 games in non-lockout seasons since 1958; all of them won more than 44 games.
Offseason
NBA draft
Main article: 1977 NBA draft
| Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Round | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Pick | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Player | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Position | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Nationality | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | College/HS/Club Team | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Notes | 1 | 4 | 17 | 2 | 39 | 3 | 57 | 61 | 4 | 83 | 5 | 105 | 6 | 127 | 7 | 147 | 8 | 166 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Ballard | F | United States | Oregon | from [Atlanta](1977-78-atlanta-hawks-season) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bo Ellis | F | United States | Marquette | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phil Walker | G | United States | Millersville | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Puidokas | C | United States | Washington State | from [Chicago](1977-78-chicago-bulls-season) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jerry Schellenberg | F | United States | Wake Forest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Reavis | F | United States | Georgia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bruce Parkinson | G | United States | Purdue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ernie Wansley | C | United States | Virginia Tech | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calvin Brown | G | United States | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pat McKinley | F | United States | Towson State |
Roster
- Dick Motta
- Bernie Bickerstaff
Season standings
Regular season
Game log
Preseason
Regular season
|- | 1 | October 21, 1977 8:05p.m. EDT | Detroit | W 117–109 | Kupchak (29) | Dandridge, Unseld (9) | Henderson (12) | Capital Centre 13,276
| 1–0 |
|---|
| 2 |
| October 22, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EDT |
| @ New York |
| L 115–141 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Hayes (14) |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (4) |
| Madison Square Garden |
| 15,261 |
| 1–1 |
| - |
| 3 |
| October 28, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EDT |
| @ Indiana |
| L 127–136 |
| Wright (43) |
| Unseld (15) |
| Henderson (9) |
| Market Square Arena |
| 12,542 |
| 1–2 |
| - |
| 4 |
| October 29, 1977 |
| 8:35p.m. EDT |
| @ Kansas City |
| L 106–120 |
| Wright (19) |
| Unseld (11) |
| Chenier, |
| Henderson, |
| Wright (5) |
| Kemper Arena |
| 9,220 |
| 1–3 |
| - |
| 5 |
| November 4, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Phoenix |
| W 113–96 |
| Dandridge (24) |
| Hayes (14) |
| Henderson (10) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,742 |
| 2–3 |
| - |
| 6 |
| November 5, 1977 |
| 9:05p.m. EST |
| @ Houston |
| L 105–116 |
| Wright (20) |
| Dandridge, |
| Unseld (9) |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (3) |
| The Summit |
| 9,449 |
| 2–4 |
| - |
| 7 |
| November 6, 1977 |
| 8:35p.m. EST |
| @ New Orleans |
| W 108–97 |
| Dandridge, |
| Hayes (21) |
| Hayes (20) |
| Wright (4) |
| Louisiana Superdome |
| 26,474 |
| 3–4 |
| - |
| 8 |
| November 10, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Milwaukee |
| L 103–106 |
| Dandridge (25) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,139 |
| 3–5 |
| - |
| 9 |
| November 12, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Philadelphia |
| W 116–98 |
| Dandridge (28) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Wright (10) |
| Capital Centre |
| 18,355 |
| 4–5 |
| - |
| 10 |
| November 13, 1977 |
| 7:05p.m. EST |
| @ Detroit |
| L 102–104 |
| Hayes (29) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Henderson (8) |
| Cobo Arena |
| 5,149 |
| 4–6 |
| - |
| 11 |
| November 15, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Seattle |
| W 111–109 |
| Hayes (22) |
| Hayes (14) |
| Unseld (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 5,593 |
| 5–6 |
| - |
| 12 |
| November 18, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| New York |
| W 123–103 |
| Hayes (27) |
| Hayes (12) |
| Henderson (9) |
| Capital Centre |
| 17,242 |
| 6–6 |
| - |
| 13 |
| November 19, 1977 |
| 8:35p.m. EST |
| @ Kansas City |
| (at Omaha, Nebraska) |
| W 131–125 (OT) |
| Kupchak (32) |
| Dandridge (12) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Omaha Civic Auditorium |
| 6,534 |
| 7–6 |
| - |
| 14 |
| November 21, 1977 |
| 7:30p.m. EST |
| @ Buffalo |
| W 114–97 |
| Kupchak (21) |
| Dandridge (14) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Buffalo Memorial Auditorium |
| 6,125 |
| 8–6 |
| - |
| 15 |
| November 22, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Denver |
| L 114–119 |
| Dandridge (29) |
| Hayes (12) |
| Wright (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,363 |
| 8–7 |
| - |
| 16 |
| November 26, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Houston |
| W 93–91 |
| Hayes (24) |
| Pace (10) |
| Dandridge (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 18,387 |
| 9–7 |
| - |
| 17 |
| November 30, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| San Antonio |
| W 116–105 |
| Kupchak (26) |
| Unseld (15) |
| Unseld (10) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,092 |
| 10–7 |
| - |
| 18 |
| December 2, 1977 |
| 9:05p.m. EST |
| @ Milwaukee |
| W 108–95 |
| Hayes (29) |
| Hayes (19) |
| Henderson (11) |
| MECCA Arena |
| 10,938 |
| 11–7 |
| - |
| 19 |
| December 3, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Boston |
| W 103–93 |
| Dandridge (21) |
| Kupchak (12) |
| Dandridge (8) |
| Capital Centre |
| 18,424 |
| 12–7 |
| - |
| 20 |
| December 4, 1977 |
| 7:30p.m. EST |
| @ Cleveland |
| W 100–94 |
| Chenier (28) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Henderson (6) |
| Richfield Coliseum |
| 9,765 |
| 13–7 |
| - |
| 21 |
| December 6, 1977 |
| 8:30p.m. EST |
| @ Chicago |
| L 108–116 |
| Chenier, |
| Hayes (22) |
| Unseld (12) |
| Dandridge, |
| Unseld (5) |
| Chicago Stadium |
| 10,093 |
| 13–8 |
| - |
| 22 |
| December 7, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Cleveland |
| W 96–95 |
| Dandridge (21) |
| Unseld (20) |
| Henderson (5) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,627 |
| 14–8 |
| - |
| 23 |
| December 9, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| New Orleans |
| W 101–97 |
| Henderson (22) |
| Unseld (16) |
| Henderson (9) |
| Capital Centre |
| 10,292 |
| 15–8 |
| - |
| 24 |
| December 11, 1977 |
| 7:35p.m. EST |
| New Jersey |
| L 95–106 |
| Hayes (27) |
| Hayes (20) |
| Dandridge, |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (4) |
| Capital Centre |
| 5,774 |
| 15–9 |
| - |
| 25 |
| December 13, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Golden State |
| W 102–96 |
| Chenier (25) |
| Hayes (17) |
| Henderson (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,693 |
| 16–9 |
| - |
| 26 |
| December 16, 1977 |
| 9:35p.m. EST |
| @ Denver |
| W 117–112 (OT) |
| Hayes (33) |
| Hayes (20) |
| Dandridge (10) |
| McNichols Sports Arena |
| 15,922 |
| 17–9 |
| - |
| 27 |
| December 17, 1977 |
| 11:00p.m. EST |
| @ Portland |
| L 104–117 |
| Dandridge (17) |
| Hayes (10) |
| Wright (5) |
| Memorial Coliseum |
| 12,666 |
| 17–10 |
| - |
| 28 |
| December 18, 1977 |
| 10:00p.m. EST |
| @ Seattle |
| L 109–111 (OT) |
| Henderson (24) |
| Unseld (13) |
| Hayes (5) |
| Seattle Center Coliseum |
| 13,563 |
| 17–11 |
| - |
| 29 |
| December 20, 1977 |
| 11:00p.m. EST |
| @ Los Angeles |
| L 115–120 |
| Kupchak (23) |
| Kupchak (10) |
| Wright (9) |
| The Forum |
| 13,475 |
| 17–12 |
| - |
| 30 |
| December 25, 1977 |
| 7:35p.m. EST |
| Atlanta |
| W 100–93 |
| Dandridge (24) |
| Unseld (14) |
| Henderson (9) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,358 |
| 18–12 |
| - |
| 31 |
| December 26, 1977 |
| 8:10p.m. EST |
| @ Atlanta |
| W 113–106 |
| Henderson (21) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Henderson (8) |
| The Omni |
| 8,321 |
| 19–12 |
| - |
| 32 |
| December 28, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Buffalo |
| W 106–87 |
| Hayes (18) |
| Unseld (15) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (4) |
| Capital Centre |
| 11,394 |
| 20–12 |
| - |
| 33 |
| December 30, 1977 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| @ Philadelphia |
| L 119–126 |
| Kupchak (22) |
| Unseld (14) |
| Dandridge (8) |
| The Spectrum |
| 18,276 |
| 20–13 |
| - |
| 34 |
| January 3, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Denver |
| L 100–101 |
| Chenier (23) |
| Hayes (18) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 9,457 |
| 20–14 |
| - |
| 35 |
| January 6, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Indiana |
| W 146–114 |
| Dandridge (29) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld (10) |
| Dandridge (8) |
| Capital Centre |
| 9,215 |
| 21–14 |
| - |
| 36 |
| January 8, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| @ New Jersey |
| W 99–98 |
| Dandridge (20) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld (6) |
| Rutgers Athletic Center |
| 4,196 |
| 22–14 |
| - |
| 37 |
| January 10, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Kansas City |
| W 123–115 |
| Hayes (27) |
| Ballard (13) |
| Henderson (11) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,700 |
| 23–14 |
| - |
| 38 |
| January 11, 1978 |
| 8:10p.m. EST |
| @ Atlanta |
| (at Charlotte, North Carolina) |
| L 95–100 |
| Hayes (24) |
| Ballard, |
| Hayes (14) |
| Henderson (6) |
| Charlotte Coliseum |
| 2,162 |
| 23–15 |
| - |
| 39 |
| January 13, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Portland |
| W 102–93 |
| Dandridge (22) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Henderson (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 17,610 |
| 24–15 |
| - |
| 40 |
| January 14, 1978 |
| 7:30p.m. EST |
| @ Buffalo |
| L 93–130 |
| Dandridge (22) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld (9) |
| Unseld (4) |
| Buffalo Memorial Auditorium |
| 5,036 |
| 24–16 |
| - |
| 41 |
| January 18, 1978 |
| 10:30p.m. EST |
| @ Golden State |
| L 106–113 |
| Dandridge (25) |
| Unseld (14) |
| Wright (9) |
| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena |
| 24–17 |
| - |
| 42 |
| January 20, 1978 |
| 11:00p.m. EST |
| @ Los Angeles |
| L 99–121 |
| Walker (23) |
| Kupchak (9) |
| Wright (6) |
| The Forum |
| 13,064 |
| 24–18 |
| - |
| 43 |
| January 22, 1978 |
| 6:45p.m. EST |
| @ Phoenix |
| L 101–114 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Hayes (19) |
| Unseld (7) |
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| 12,660 |
| 24–19 |
| - |
| 44 |
| January 24, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Detroit |
| L 101–104 |
| Grevey (24) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (4) |
| Capital Centre |
| 6,717 |
| 24–20 |
| - |
| 45 |
| January 26, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Chicago |
| W 135–107 |
| Dandridge (37) |
| Hayes (10) |
| Wright (11) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,442 |
| 25–20 |
| - |
| 46 |
| January 29, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| Los Angeles |
| W 119–112 |
| Dandridge (29) |
| Hayes (19) |
| Wright (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 17,779 |
| 26–20 |
| - |
| 47 |
| January 31, 1978 |
| 8:30p.m. EST |
| @ San Antonio |
| L 109–129 |
| Hayes (21) |
| Hayes (14) |
| Wright (6) |
| HemisFair Arena |
| 9,000 |
| 26–21 |
| - |
| 48 |
| February 2, 1978 |
| 8:00p.m. EST |
| @ Cleveland |
| L 93–110 |
| Dandridge (25) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Wright (6) |
| Richfield Coliseum |
| 7,553 |
| 26–22 |
| - |
| 49 |
| February 3, 1978 |
| 7:30p.m. EST |
| @ Boston |
| L 94–116 |
| Grevey (25) |
| Hayes (18) |
| Unseld (4) |
| Boston Garden |
| 12,206 |
| 26–23 |
| - align="center" |
| - style="background:#cfc;" |
| - bgcolor="#bbffbb" |
| - |
| 50 |
| February 7, 1978 |
| 10:30p.m. EST |
| @ Golden State |
| L 102–105 |
| Hayes (25) |
| Unseld (18) |
| Henderson (8) |
| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena |
| 9,935 |
| 26–24 |
| - |
| 51 |
| February 8, 1978 |
| 11:00p.m. EST |
| @ Seattle |
| W 106–100 |
| Hayes (25) |
| Hayes (21) |
| Wright (6) |
| Seattle Center Coliseum |
| 12,126 |
| 27–24 |
| - |
| 52 |
| February 12, 1978 |
| 6:45p.m. EST |
| @ Phoenix |
| L 109–121 |
| Hayes (34) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| 12,467 |
| 27–25 |
| - |
| 53 |
| February 14, 1978 |
| 9:35p.m. EST |
| @ Denver |
| L 98–103 |
| Grevey (24) |
| Unseld (18) |
| Dandridge, |
| Henderson (6) |
| McNichols Sports Arena |
| 15,636 |
| 27–26 |
| - |
| 54 |
| February 16, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Buffalo |
| W 123–109 |
| Hayes (25) |
| Unseld (17) |
| Dandridge (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 6,857 |
| 28–26 |
| - |
| 55 |
| February 17, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| @ Indiana |
| L 111–123 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Unseld (21) |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld (5) |
| Market Square Arena |
| 10,637 |
| 28–27 |
| - |
| 56 |
| February 19, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| New Orleans |
| W 130–111 |
| Hayes (31) |
| Unseld (17) |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (8) |
| Capital Centre |
| 16,505 |
| 29–27 |
| - |
| 57 |
| February 22, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Portland |
| L 97–105 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Unseld (12) |
| Henderson (9) |
| Capital Centre |
| 11,554 |
| 29–28 |
| - |
| 58 |
| February 24, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Phoenix |
| W 121–120 (OT) |
| Hayes (23) |
| Unseld (24) |
| Henderson (10) |
| Capital Centre |
| 12,432 |
| 30–28 |
| - |
| 59 |
| February 26, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| Golden State |
| W 121–110 |
| Hayes (37) |
| Hayes (18) |
| Unseld (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 13,814 |
| 31–28 |
| - |
| 60 |
| February 28, 1978 |
| 9:05p.m. EST |
| @ Milwaukee |
| L 135–136 (OT) |
| Johnson (25) |
| Unseld (27) |
| Henderson (7) |
| MECCA Arena |
| 10,938 |
| 31–29 |
| - |
| 61 |
| March 1, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| San Antonio |
| W 125–110 |
| Grevey (29) |
| Hayes (21) |
| Henderson (11) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,425 |
| 32–29 |
| - |
| 62 |
| March 3, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| @ Detroit |
| W 124–108 |
| Grevey (32) |
| Hayes (27) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Cobo Arena |
| 5,033 |
| 33–29 |
| - |
| 63 |
| March 5, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| Houston |
| W 106–88 |
| Dandridge (26) |
| Hayes (15) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 14,344 |
| 34–29 |
| - |
| 64 |
| March 10, 1978 |
| 9:05p.m. EST |
| @ Houston |
| W 117–114 |
| Grevey (43) |
| Unseld (18) |
| Henderson (8) |
| The Summit |
| 7,506 |
| 35–29 |
| - |
| 65 |
| March 11, 1978 |
| 8:30p.m. EST |
| @ San Antonio |
| L 101–116 |
| Grevey (28) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Henderson (7) |
| HemisFair Arena |
| 9,465 |
| 35–30 |
| - |
| 66 |
| March 14, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Seattle |
| 120–115 |
| Dandridge, |
| Hayes, |
| Kupchak (24) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld (10) |
| Dandridge (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,804 |
| 36–30 |
| - |
| 67 |
| March 16, 1978 |
| 8:30p.m. EST |
| @ Chicago |
| L 107–111 |
| Dandridge (23) |
| Hayes (8) |
| Grevey (7) |
| Chicago Stadium |
| 11,972 |
| 36–31 |
| - |
| 68 |
| March 17, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Indiana |
| L 99–105 |
| Kupchak (30) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld (17) |
| Hayes (5) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,196 |
| 36–32 |
| - |
| 69 |
| March 19, 1978 |
| 7:35p.m. EST |
| Milwaukee |
| L 106–117 |
| Hayes (32) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld (13) |
| Grevey (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 9,492 |
| 36–33 |
| - |
| 70 |
| March 21, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Boston |
| W 119–107 |
| Hayes (34) |
| Unseld (11) |
| Unseld (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 17,252 |
| 37–33 |
| - |
| 71 |
| March 22, 1978 |
| 8:35p.m. EST |
| @ New Orleans |
| W 124–109 |
| Grevey (30) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Dandridge (7) |
| Louisiana Superdome |
| 13,143 |
| 38–33 |
| - |
| 72 |
| March 24, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| @ New Jersey |
| W 107–104 |
| Dandridge (30) |
| Hayes (16) |
| Hendersonn (9) |
| Rutgers Athletic Center |
| 5,833 |
| 39–33 |
| - |
| 73 |
| March 25, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Atlanta |
| W 98–95 |
| Dandridge (18) |
| Hayes (15) |
| Henderson (5) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,190 |
| 40–33 |
| - |
| 74 |
| March 26, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| New Jersey |
| L 104–118 |
| Grevey, |
| Hayes, |
| Kupchak (25) |
| Unseld (24) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 5,750 |
| 40–34 |
| - |
| 75 |
| March 29, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Kansas City |
| L 105–108 (OT) |
| Grevey (30) |
| Hayes (21) |
| Unseld (10) |
| Capital Centre |
| 6,717 |
| 40–35 |
| - |
| 76 |
| March 30, 1978 |
| 8:35p.m. EST |
| @ New York |
| W 123–108 |
| Dandridge (28) |
| Hayes (22) |
| Dandridge, |
| Unseld, |
| Wright (4) |
| Madison Square Garden |
| 12,702 |
| 41–35 |
| - |
| 77 |
| March 31, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Cleveland |
| L 101–102 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Hayes (12) |
| Unseld (9) |
| Capital Centre |
| 8,660 |
| 41–36 |
| - |
| 78 |
| April 2, 1978 |
| 1:45p.m. EST |
| New York |
| L 109–114 |
| Kupchak (30) |
| Johnson (9) |
| Johnson (4) |
| Capital Centre |
| 7,193 |
| 41–37 |
| - |
| 79 |
| April 5, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| Los Angeles |
| W 125–119 |
| Unseld (25) |
| Hayes (17) |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 14,671 |
| 42–37 |
| - |
| 80 |
| April 6, 1978 |
| 7:30p.m. EST |
| @ Boston |
| (at Providence, Rhode Island) |
| W 112–103 |
| Hayes (21) |
| Ballard, |
| Unseld (16) |
| Ballard, |
| Wright (6) |
| Providence Civic Center |
| 10,755 |
| 43–37 |
| - |
| 81 |
| April 8, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| @ Philadelphia |
| L 114–131 |
| Kupchak (31) |
| Kupchak (14) |
| Grevey, |
| Hayes, |
| Johnson, |
| Kupchak, |
| Unseld (3) |
| The Spectrum |
| 14,711 |
| 43–38 |
| - |
| 82 |
| April 9, 1978 |
| 1:30p.m. EST |
| Philadelphia |
| W 123–113 |
| Johnson (29) |
| Unseld (16) |
| Walker (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 17,952 |
| 44–38 |
Playoffs
|- | 1 | April 12, 1978 8:05p.m. EST | Atlanta | W 103–94 | Dandridge (20) | Unseld (15) | Unseld (7) | Capital Centre 9,326
| 1–0 |
|---|
| 2 |
| April 14, 1978 |
| 8:10p.m. EST |
| @ Atlanta |
| W 107–103 (OT) |
| Grevey (41) |
| Unseld (15) |
| Henderson (5) |
| The Omni |
| 15,601 |
| 2–0 |
| - |
| - |
| 1 |
| April 16, 1978 |
| 1:30p.m. EST |
| @ San Antonio |
| L 103–114 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Hayes (15) |
| Hayes (6) |
| HemisFair Arena |
| 9,669 |
| 0–1 |
| - |
| 2 |
| April 18, 1978 |
| 8:30p.m. EST |
| @ San Antonio |
| W 121–117 |
| Grevey (31) |
| Unseld (13) |
| Wright (8) |
| HemisFair Arena |
| 9,871 |
| 1–1 |
| - |
| 3 |
| April 21, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| San Antonio |
| W 118–105 |
| Dandridge (28) |
| Hayes (12) |
| Unseld (8) |
| Capital Centre |
| 17,417 |
| 2–1 |
| - |
| 4 |
| April 23, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| San Antonio |
| W 98–95 |
| Dandridge (24) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Dandridge (8) |
| Capital Centre |
| 13,459 |
| 3–1 |
| - |
| 5 |
| April 25, 1978 |
| 8:30p.m. EST |
| @ San Antonio |
| L 105–116 |
| Johnson (21) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Unseld (6) |
| HemisFair Arena |
| 9,709 |
| 3–2 |
| - |
| 6 |
| April 28, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EST |
| San Antonio |
| W 103–100 |
| Hayes (25) |
| Unseld (16) |
| Unsled (5) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 4–2 |
| - |
| - |
| 1 |
| April 30, 1978 |
| 1:30p.m. EDT |
| @ Philadelphia |
| W 122–117 (OT) |
| Hayes (28) |
| Hayes (18) |
| Henderson (9) |
| The Spectrum |
| 13,708 |
| 1–0 |
| - |
| 2 |
| May 3, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EDT |
| @ Philadelphia |
| L 104–110 |
| Hayes (26) |
| Hayes (15) |
| Henderson, |
| Wright (8) |
| The Spectrum |
| 18,276 |
| 1–1 |
| - |
| 3 |
| May 5, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EDT |
| Philadelphia |
| W 123–108 |
| Dandridge (30) |
| Hayes (12) |
| Dandridge (7) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 2–1 |
| - |
| 4 |
| May 7, 1978 |
| 1:30p.m. EDT |
| Philadelphia |
| W 121–105 |
| Hayes (35) |
| Hayes (19) |
| Dandridge, |
| Kevin Grevey, |
| Johnson, |
| Wright (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 3–1 |
| - |
| 5 |
| May 10, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EDT |
| @ Philadelphia |
| L 94–107 |
| Wright (18) |
| Hayes, |
| Unseld (16) |
| Unseld (5) |
| The Spectrum |
| 18,276 |
| 3–2 |
| - |
| 6 |
| May 12, 1978 |
| 8:05p.m. EDT |
| Philadelphia |
| W 101–99 |
| Dandridge (28) |
| Unseld (15) |
| Henderson (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 4–2 |
| - |
| - |
| 1 |
| May 21, 1978 |
| 3:00p.m. EDT |
| @ Seattle |
| L 102–106 |
| Grevey (27) |
| Hayes (9) |
| Henderson (7) |
| Seattle Center Coliseum |
| 14,098 |
| 0–1 |
| - |
| 2 |
| May 25, 1978 |
| 9:00p.m. EDT |
| Seattle |
| W 106–98 |
| Dandridge (34) |
| Unseld (15) |
| Henderson, |
| Unseld (5) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 1–1 |
| - |
| 3 |
| May 28, 1978 |
| 1:30p.m. EDT |
| Seattle |
| L 92–93 |
| Hayes (29) |
| Hayes (20) |
| Dandridge (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 1–2 |
| - |
| 4 |
| May 30, 1978 |
| 9:00p.m. EDT |
| @ Seattle |
| W 120–116 (OT) |
| Dandridge (23) |
| Hayes (13) |
| Henderson (11) |
| Kingdome |
| 39,457 |
| 2–2 |
| - |
| 5 |
| June 2, 1978 |
| 9:00p.m. EDT |
| @ Seattle |
| L 94–98 |
| Grevey (22) |
| Dandridge (10) |
| Henderson (6) |
| Seattle Center Coliseum |
| 14,098 |
| 2–3 |
| - |
| 6 |
| June 4, 1978 |
| 1:30p.m. EDT |
| Seattle |
| W 117–82 |
| Hayes (21) |
| Hayes (15) |
| Ballard (6) |
| Capital Centre |
| 19,035 |
| 3–3 |
| - |
| 7 |
| June 7, 1978 |
| 9:00p.m. EDT |
| @ Seattle |
| W 105–99 |
| Dandridge, |
| Johnson (19) |
| Unseld (9) |
| Unseld (6) |
| Seattle Center Coliseum |
| 14,098 |
| 4–3 |
| - |
Player stats
Regular season
Note: GP= Games played; GS= Games started; MP=Minutes played; FG=Field goals; FGA=Field goals attempted; FG%=Field goal percentage; FT=Free throws; FTA=Free throws attempted; FT%=Free throw percentage; ORB= Offensive rebounds; DRB= Defensive rebounds; TRB= Total rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average
| Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Player | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | GP | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | GS | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | MP | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FG | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FGA | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FG% | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FT | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FTA | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FT% | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | ORB | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | DRB | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | TRB | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | AST | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | STL | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | BLK | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | PTS | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | AVG | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **Total** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **82** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **19830** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **3580** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **7772** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **.461** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **1887** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **2655** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **.711** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **1349** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **2815** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **4164** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **1948** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **668** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **386** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **9047** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **110.3** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayes | 81 | 3246 | 636 | 1409 | .451 | 326 | 514 | .635 | 335 | 740 | 1075 | 149 | 96 | 159 | 1598 | 19.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dandridge | 75 | 2777 | 560 | 1190 | .471 | 330 | 419 | .788 | 137 | 305 | 442 | 287 | 101 | 44 | 1450 | 19.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kupchak | 67 | 1759 | 393 | 768 | .512 | 280 | 402 | .697 | 162 | 298 | 460 | 71 | 28 | 42 | 1066 | 15.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grevey | 81 | 2121 | 505 | 1128 | .448 | 243 | 308 | .789 | 124 | 166 | 290 | 155 | 61 | 17 | 1253 | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chenier | 36 | 937 | 200 | 451 | .443 | 109 | 138 | .790 | 15 | 87 | 102 | 73 | 36 | 9 | 509 | 14.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Henderson | 75 | 2315 | 339 | 784 | .432 | 179 | 240 | .746 | 66 | 127 | 193 | 406 | 93 | 15 | 857 | 11.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wright | 70 | 1466 | 283 | 570 | .496 | 76 | 107 | .710 | 31 | 71 | 102 | 260 | 68 | 15 | 642 | 9.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Johnson | 39 | 807 | 141 | 346 | .408 | 42 | 51 | .824 | 20 | 73 | 93 | 82 | 31 | 1 | 324 | 8.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unseld | 80 | 2644 | 257 | 491 | .523 | 93 | 173 | .538 | 286 | 669 | 955 | 326 | 98 | 45 | 607 | 7.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ballard | 76 | 936 | 142 | 334 | .425 | 88 | 114 | .772 | 102 | 164 | 266 | 62 | 30 | 13 | 372 | 4.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Walker | 40 | 384 | 57 | 161 | .354 | 64 | 96 | .667 | 21 | 31 | 52 | 54 | 14 | 5 | 178 | 4.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pace | 49 | 438 | 67 | 140 | .479 | 57 | 93 | .613 | 50 | 84 | 134 | 23 | 12 | 24 | 191 | 3.9 |
Playoffs
Note: GP= Games played; GS= Games started; MP=Minutes played; FG=Field goals; FGA=Field goals attempted; FG%=Field goal percentage; FT=Free throws; FTA=Free throws attempted; FT%=Free throw percentage; ORB= Offensive rebounds; DRB= Defensive rebounds; TRB= Total rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average
| Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Player | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | GP | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | GS | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | MP | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FG | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FGA | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FG% | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FT | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FTA | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | FT% | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | ORB | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | DRB | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | TRB | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | AST | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | STL | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | BLK | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | PTS | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | AVG | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **Total** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **21** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **5115** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **912** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **2007** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **435** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **583** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **361** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **677** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **1038** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **502** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **178** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **95** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **2259** | Washington Bullets | year=1977–78 | border=2}};" | **114.1** | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayes | 21 | 868 | 189 | 385 | .491 | 79 | 133 | .594 | 103 | 176 | 279 | 43 | 32 | 52 | 457 | 21.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dandridge | 19 | 746 | 172 | 359 | .479 | 58 | 84 | .690 | 35 | 88 | 123 | 74 | 30 | 14 | 402 | 21.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grevey | 21 | 584 | 126 | 284 | .444 | 73 | 90 | .811 | 25 | 36 | 61 | 42 | 11 | 3 | 325 | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Johnson | 21 | 425 | 93 | 229 | .406 | 29 | 37 | .784 | 20 | 33 | 53 | 48 | 30 | 0 | 215 | 10.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kupchak | 21 | 504 | 84 | 199 | .422 | 45 | 69 | .652 | 49 | 78 | 127 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 213 | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Henderson | 21 | 597 | 72 | 173 | .416 | 58 | 79 | .734 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 106 | 27 | 5 | 202 | 9.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unseld | 18 | 677 | 71 | 134 | .530 | 27 | 46 | .587 | 72 | 144 | 216 | 79 | 17 | 7 | 169 | 9.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wright | 21 | 402 | 76 | 163 | .466 | 19 | 25 | .760 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 67 | 17 | 2 | 171 | 8.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ballard | 19 | 243 | 21 | 63 | .333 | 32 | 41 | .780 | 27 | 52 | 79 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 74 | 3.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pace | 9 | 52 | 7 | 10 | .700 | 11 | 15 | .733 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 25 | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Walker | 4 | 17 | 1 | 8 | .125 | 4 | 5 | .800 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.5 |
NBA Finals
Main article: 1978 NBA Finals
After being swept in their previous two trips to the NBA Finals (by Milwaukee in 1971 and Golden State in 1975), the Bullets lost Game 1 on the road against the Seattle SuperSonics, and a 19-point lead vanished in the process. In Game 4, the Bullets rose to the occasion beating the Sonics 120–116 to even the series at 2 games apiece. After losing Game 5 in Seattle, the Bullets kept their hopes alive with a dominating 117–82 win at the Capital Centre. Game 7 returned to Seattle and the Bullets were a heavy underdog. Kevin Grevey suffered a sprained wrist above his shooting hand, and Bob Dandridge was forced to see some action at guard. Dandridge would play strongly and scored 19 points to tie with Charles Johnson, who hit a half court shot at the end of the 3rd quarter, for the team high. Wes Unseld scored 15 points while pulling down 9 rebounds as the Bullets emerged with a 105–99 victory to win their first NBA Championship.
Awards and honors
- Wes Unseld, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
References
References
- "1977-78 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats".
- [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/dc/wizards.html Washington Wizards (1963–Present)]
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