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 takes us back to the ’80s as we take a look at the 1985 Sixers heading into the playoffs to take on the Washington Bullets. Philadelphia was two years removed from winning a title in 1983 and they were determined to get back there. They got off to a good start in Game 1 as the Finals MVP of the ’83 team got the team off on the right foot.
April 17, 1985
The Sixers were the 3 seed and held home-court advantage while the Bullets had an upset on their mind. The Bullets were deep as they were led by Gus Williams. Cliff Robinson, and Jeff Malone in the starting lineup with an All-Star on their bench in the form of Jeff Ruland. Still, they were no match for Philadelphia’s duo of Malone and Julius Erving.
Malone was terrific as he led the Sixers with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals while Erving had 24 points, six rebounds, and three steals and Maurice Cheeks added 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Those efforts allowed Philadelphia to get a 104-97 win and take a 1-0 series lead.
The win gave the Sixers the momentum they needed and they won to win the series 3-1. They then swept the Milwaukee Bucks in Round 2 and they were primed to head back to the NBA Finals, but they then fell to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals in five games. [lawrence-related id=29510,29502,29492]