Today in Nets history: Nets win playoff series over reigning NBA champions

The Philadelphia 76ers were favored heading into their 1984 first-round matchup against the New Jersey Nets.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

The Atlantic Division was as talented as any in the 1983-84 NBA season. With the Celtics leading the league in wins (62), the Philadelphia 76ers could only hope for the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, even though they had two more wins (52) than the top team in the Central Division, the Milwaukee Bucks (50).

Philly secured the third seed, which meant they had to face the New Jersey Nets in the first round. With the Sixers being the higher seed and the reigning NBA champions, they were clear favorites.

Then New Jersey won the first game, on the road. Same thing happened in Game 2. Philly went on to tie the series at 2-2, but the Nets continued to play road warriors, as New Jersey stole the series on April 26, 1984, with a 101-98 win to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals (full box score).

Buck Williams had a double-double (17 points and 16 rebounds) in the clincher, while both Micheal Ray Richardson and Otis Birdsong finished with 24 points, six assists and six steals apiece.