On This Date in Sports April 26, 1984: Fo, Fo, Fo, No Mo
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
In one of the biggest upsets in NBA history, the New Jersey Nets knock out the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The Nets had not won a postseason game since joining the NBA before the series began. The road team would win all five games in the series, with the Nets scoring a 101-98 win at the Spectrum in the finale as Michael Ray Richardson and Otis Birdsong each scored 24.
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In 1983, the Philadelphia 76ers had one of the great runs in NBA history, winning 12 of 13 games, and nearly making good on Moses Malone’s boast that the Sixers would sweep their way through the postseason. With Julius Erving, the 76ers were one of the NBA’s premier teams, reaching the NBA three times in four years and the conference finals four straight seasons to begin the decade. After finally taking the NBA Championship, the Sixers posted a record of 52-30 under Coach Billy Cunningham.
For the New Jersey Nets, Julius Erving was the player who got away. While playing in the ABA, Dr. J had led the Nets to two championships, in the rival league’s last three seasons. However, upon joining the NBA, the Nets were hit with a one-two punch of franchise fees and territorial fees, as they had to pay off the New York Knicks and 76ers, especially after moving from New York to New Jersey in their second season. This forced them to sell their biggest star to the Sixers, transforming basketball in Philadelphia into a new golden age. The Nets meanwhile were on a slow build after joining the NBA, as they made the playoffs just three times in their first six seasons, each time getting swept in best-of-three series.
The 1984 postseason saw a new age for the NBA as it was the first time that the league expanded from 12-16, teams making the playoffs, with the first round series all being best-of-five game series. The Nets stunned one year earlier by the sudden departure of Larry Brown before they were swept by the New York Knicks, had turned to Stan Albeck as their new coach, posting a record of 45-37 to earn the sixth slot in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.
The 76ers we hobbled as the playoffs began as Moses Malone, who had been their MVP a year earlier was battling sore knees. In the opener at the Philadelphia Spectrum, the Nets came out hot, scoring 39 points in the first quarter. Playing catchup all game, the Sixers looked out of sync, as the Nets recorded their first ever NBA playoff win 116-101, as Buck Williams had a game-high 25 points, with 16 rebounds. Game 2 was nearly a carbon copy as New Jersey again got off to a strong start, building a seven-point halftime lead. The Nets would go on to win 116-102, as Michael Ray Richardson led all scorers with 32 points, adding nine assists.
Looking for a sweep in the Meadowlands, the Nets again started strong in Game 3, however as the game wore on the 76ers began to finally resemble the championship team from a year earlier, winning 108-100, as Moses Malone had 21 points with 17 boards, while Julius Erving led all scorers with 27. In Game 4, it was Philadelphia starting fast scoring 34 points in the first quarter, as they were in control all the way in a 110-102 win to send the series back to the Spectrum tied two games apiece. The Sixers got a balanced effort with Malone and Erving each scoring 22 to lead the way, while Mo Cheeks added 20.
Back at the Spectrum for the decisive fifth game, the Nets had started strong, with 31 points in the first quarter but appeared to be wilting under the NBA spotlight as they trailed at the half 53-50. As the fourth quarter began, the Sixers looked poise to put the game away, as they held a seven-point lead with seven minutes left. Down the stretch, Philadelphia began to get sloppy, as the Nets with fresher legs appeared to get to every loose ball, winning 101-98. The Nets were led by Michael Ray Richardson and Otis Birdsong each scored 24 points, while Julius Erving had a forgettable night scoring just 12.
The Nets would go on to lose the next series to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. It would be the only playoff series they would win until they reached the NBA Finals in 2002. It also marked the first time in a five-game series, that the road team won every game.