1974 NBA playoffs


The 1974 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1973-74 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. John Havlicek was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the Celtics' twelfth NBA title, and first accomplished in the post-Bill Russell era. It is the last -- to date -- Finals appearance for Milwaukee.
Using the revised playoff format adopted in 1973, two third-place teams qualified for the playoffs, while the second-place finishers in the Central and Pacific divisions did not. Also, since the top three Western qualifiers were in the Midwest Division, the two divisional champions in the Western Conference played in the conference semifinals.
With a 4–3 series victory over the Pistons in the first round, the Bulls earned their first playoff series victory. In their first eight years of existence, the Bulls made the playoffs seven times.
As a matter of historical curiosity, 3 of the 4 teams in the 1974 Western Conference bracket now reside in the Eastern Conference.
This was the only appearance of the Capital Bullets in the playoffs under that moniker; they assumed the "Capital" name for one year before changing to the Washington Bullets the next season. It was the playoff debut of the Buffalo Braves, who had joined the league in 1970.
For the first time in BAA/NBA history, neither the Lakers or Warriors participated in a conference finals series.

Bracket

Western Conference

Champion: Milwaukee Bucks
;Conference Semifinals
Last playoff meeting: 1972 Western Conference Finals
Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Bulls and the Pistons.
;Conference Finals
Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Bucks and the Bulls.

Eastern Conference

Champion: Boston Celtics
;Conference Semifinals
Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Celtics and the Braves.
Last playoff meeting: 1973 Eastern Conference Semifinals
;Conference Finals
Last playoff meeting: 1973 Eastern Conference Finals

NBA Finals

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics: Celtics win series 4–3
Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Bucks and the Celtics.