1975–76 Buffalo Braves season

NBA_season

team = Buffalo Braves
end_year = 1976
wins = 46
losses = 36
division = atlantic
division_place = 2
conf_place = 4
coach = Jack Ramsay
arena = Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
playoffs = Lost 2nd Round
Bob McAdoo led the league in scoring for the third consecutive year with 31.1 points per game. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html Buffalo Braves (1970–1978) ] ] It was the third year in a row that the Braves made the playoffs. The Braves had a record of 46-36. In the playoffs the Braves wound up against the Philadelphia 76ers. The series went the full three games but the Braves found themselves on the road for Game 3. The Braves emerged victorious in overtime with a hard-fought 124–123 victory. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html Buffalo Braves (1970–1978) ] ] In the second round of the playoffs, the Braves and Boston Celtics would once again battle. After 4 games, the series was even at 2 wins each. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html Buffalo Braves (1970-1978) ] ] Once again the Celtics would take the series in 6 games. Following the season the Braves allowed coach Jack Ramsay to depart for the head coaching job with the Portland Trail Blazers. [ [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html Buffalo Braves (1970–1978) ] ]

Offseason

NBA Draft

Exhibition games

On October 4, 1975 the Braves opened their preseason exhibition schedule against the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association. Bob McAdoo had 29 points in the contest in Indianapolis but the Pacers won, 106-105.

On October 11 15,000 fans attended the Braves' home game against the ABA's New York Nets. The Braves held New York's star Julius Erving to 16 points but the Nets prevailed 109-83.

On October 14 the Braves traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to face the ABA's Kentucky Colonels. The Colonels won, 120-116.

Two nights later on October 16, 1975 the Braves hit the road to face the ABA's San Antonio Spurs. Bob McAdoo had 22 points and 16 rebounds but the Spurs won 101-90 behind 22 points each for James Silas and George Gervin.

The very next night the Braves again faced the New York Nets, this time at Seton Hall, New Jersey. Bob McAdoo scored 31 points but the Nets won 117-97. The Braves closed out their preseason exhibition schedule with a record of 0-5 against ABA teams.

Regular season

eason standings

[ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1976.html 1975-76 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com ] ]

eason Schedule

Player stats

"Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average"

Awards and Honors

*Bob McAdoo, NBA Scoring Champion
*John Shumate, NBA All-Rookie Team (Note: Shumate started the season with the Phoenix Suns but ended the season as a member of the Buffalo Braves)

References

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=BUF&lg=n&yr=1975 Braves on Database Basketball]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BUF/1976.html Braves on Basketball Reference]