With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
This edition of a history lesson in the storied history of the franchise takes it back to 1977. Philadelphia was led by both Julius Erving and Doug Collins on the perimeter and Darryl Dawkins down low as they took on the Houston Rockets–yes, the Houston Rockets–in the Eastern Conference Finals. An opportunity to reach the NBA Finals was on the line and the Sixers took advantage.
May 17, 1977
The Rockets were a formidable bunch. Led by the 1-2 punch of John Lucas and Moses Malone as well as Calvin Murphy, they were in the same boat as Philadelphia in terms of Eastern Conference contenders. After being down 3-1, the Rockets took Game 5 despite 37 points from Erving and they had a chance to force a Game 7.
Philadelphia had other plans. Erving dropped 34 points on 15-for-24 shooting with nine rebounds and six assists and Collins had 27 points with Dawkins pouring in 20 points and seven rebounds as Philadelphia outlasted Houston 112-109 to earn a trip to the Finals. It was an impressive win for the Sixers in the face of adversity to get the job done and would move on to face the Portland Trail Blazers. [lawrence-related id=31138,31131,31121]