1974–75 Buffalo Braves season

1974–75 basketball season for Buffalo Braves August 2023 March 2026 Buffalo Braves 1975 49 33 Atlantic 2 3 Jack Ramsay Buffalo Memorial AuditoriumMaple Leaf Gardens WBEN-TV WBEN East Semifinals(lost to Bullets 3–4) BUF The 1974–75 Buffalo Braves season was the fifth season of the club in the National Basketball Association. It was the team's third season under head coach Jack Ramsay.https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/ramsaja99c.html Jack Ramsay 2010-04-19 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20091116231922/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/ramsaja99c.html 2009-11-16 live The team's home arena was the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, with six "home" games played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Despite losing three key players in Gar Heard, Jim McMillian and Ernie DiGregorio for long stretches, the Braves continued to improve. Buffalo finished second in the Atlantic Division to Boston, with a record of 49–33 and a .598 winning percentage; this would endure as the club's best record for 37 years, until the twice-relocated Los Angeles Clippers amassed a 40–26 mark (.606) in the 2011–12 season. Bob McAdoo captured the NBA MVP Award,http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html Buffalo Braves (1970–1978) April 22, 2008 April 5, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160405150307/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html dead leading the league with 34.5 points per game, while adding 14.1 rebounds per contest, fourth-best in the NBA. In the 1975 NBA Playoffs, the Braves earned the franchise's second playoff berth, this time against the Washington Bullets. The series went to the full seven games, with Washington taking the deciding contest, 115–96, at home. After the season, the team was occupied with legal wrangling surrounding the departure of minority owner and general manager Eddie Donovan. Offseason On March 21, Braves general manager Eddie Donovan announced that he would resign effective April 1.https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/21/archives/donovan-to-quit-braves-april-1.html Donovan to Quit Braves April 1 2010-08-07 1975-03-21 45 The New York Times White, Gordon S. Jr. subscription The resignation was controversial because there were rumors that he would return to work for his prior team, New York Knicks,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1d8jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7CgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3753,187632&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Donovan Quits, Braves Angry 2010-08-07 1975-03-21 The Milwaukee Journal 2016-01-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20160123191916/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1d8jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7CgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3753,187632&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en dead but there were simultaneous rumors that the Knicks had unfairly tampered with Donovan while under contract with the Braves. Upon the announced resignation, NBA Commissioner Walter Kennedy announced that the league would conduct a hearing on the matter.https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/22/archives/donovan-resigns-hearing-set-on-charge-knicks-tampered-hearing-set.html Donovan Resigns; Hearing Set On Charge Knicks Tampered; Hearing Set On Donovan And Knicks 2010-08-07 1975-03-22 S23 The New York Times Goldaper, Sam subscription The transition was complicated by Donovan's 5% ownership of the Braves.https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/20/archives/holzman-to-stay-as-coach-under-braves-chief-donovan-to-rejoin.html Holzman to Stay as Coach Under Braves' Chief; Donovan to Rejoin Knicks; Holzman to Stay as Coach 2010-08-07 1975-03-20 53 The New York Times Goldaper, Sam subscription Incoming commissioner, Larry O'Brien announced an amicable settlement as one of his first orders of business.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6oYOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=joADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5735,154772&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Donovan dispute settled 2010-08-07 1975-07-01 St. Petersburg Times April 2012 H3llBot NBA draft 1974 NBA draft The following members of the 1974–75 Buffalo Braves were drafted during the 1974 NBA draft.http://www.databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?lg=N&yr=1974 1974 NBA Draft 2010-06-18 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20100523231452/http://www.databasebasketball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1974&lg=N 2010-05-23 McMillen played for a year in Europe before joining the 1975–76 Buffalo Braves.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125368/index.htm Aspiring To Higher Things: All-America, Rhodes scholar, NBA player, Tom McMillen is emulating Bill Bradley. Next, elective office 2010-06-18 1982-04-05 Sports Illustrated https://web.archive.org/web/20100528141313/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125368/index.htm 28 May 2010 dead He played for a team in Bologna, Italy.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=voU1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=g4kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=880,5264032&dq=1975+playoffs+sabres&hl=en https://archive.today/20120712002656/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=voU1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=g4kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=880,5264032&dq=1975+playoffs+sabres&hl=en dead July 12, 2012 Buffalo Braves May Get McMillen 2010-07-03 1975-05-23 Tri City Herald Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 9 Tom McMillen Center United States Maryland 3 45 Kim Hughes Center United States Wisconsin 4 63 Bernie Harris Forward United States Virginia Commonwealth 5 81 Tony Byers Guard United States Wake Forest 6 99 Gary Link Forward United States Missouri 7 117 Tommy Curtis Guard United States UCLA 8 135 Glenn Price Forward United States St. Bonaventure 9 153 John Falconi Guard United States Davidson 10 170 Andy Rimol Forward United States Princeton Roster Buffalo Braves 1974–75 #428FDF #FFFFFF #428FDF #FFFFFF 14 Ken Charles G 6 3 180 Fordham 15 Ernie DiGregorio G 6 0 180 Providence 34 Bernie Harris Bernie Harris (basketball) F 6 10 200 Virginia Commonwealth 24 Gar Heard F 6 6 220 Oklahoma 42 Jack Marin F 6 6 210 Duke 11 Bob McAdoo C 6 9 210 North Carolina 5 Jim McMillian F 6 5 220 Columbia 22 Paul Ruffner C 6 11 225 BYU 54 Dale Schlueter C 6 10 235 Colorado State 9 Randy Smith basketball G 6 3 185 Buffalo State 12 Jim Washington F 6 6 210 Villanova 8 Bob Weiss G 6 3 185 Penn State 3 Lee Winfield G 6 2 174 North Texas Jack Ramsay Roster notes Forward Bernie Harris played in only 11 games before being waived in January. Guard Bob Weiss came back to the franchise as an assistant coach with the San Diego Clippers from 1978 to 1980 and as a coach for the Los Angeles Clippers from 1993 to 1994. Regular season thumb|The Braves played most of their home games in the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (dark-rimmed building in front of the HSBC Arena, pictured in 2007). Overview An early eleven-game winning streak helped the Braves achieve a 16–4 record to start the season and a later seven-game streak took them to 31–16.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BUF/1975_games.html 1974-75 Buffalo Braves Schedule and Results 2010-06-20 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com Buffalo supplanted the New York Knicks as Boston's closest competitor in the Atlantic foursome with 49 wins and 33 losses. Buffalo boasted high-scoring super star Bob McAdoo, who posted a 34.5 scoring average to lead the NBA, while making more field goals than any other player. He also led in minutes played, while also ranking among the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league. McAdoo also earned 798 free throw tries, another league high, converting 81% of his attempts. The Braves lost reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Ernie DiGregorio to a knee injury that limited him to 31 games,https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/digreer01.html Ernie DiGregorio 2010-06-20 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20100628190717/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/digreer01.html 28 June 2010 live watched former Laker Jim McMillian battle illness that caused him to miss 20 games,https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcmilji01.html Jim McMillian 2010-06-20 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20100711174706/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcmilji01.html 11 July 2010 live and also lost Gar Heard for 15 games,https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/heardga01.html Gar Heard 2010-06-20 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com which dropped the team from the elite and put more of the load on their star. The Braves attendance increased by 40,000 to 467,267 in their 41 home games, but the team fell to 5th of 18 teams.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BUF/1974_games.html 1973-74 Buffalo Braves Schedule and Results 2010-06-17 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com The team defense improved sufficiently to create an average 2.2-point scoring margin after a slight average deficit the year before.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=owAOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hHkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7082,2265375&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Winning Braves Defensive 2010-10-12 1974-12-29 St. Petersburg Times April 2012 H3llBot McMillian ranked tenth in the league in field goal percentage. Heard ranked 9th in blocks per game (1.8). Jack Marin, who played in 81 games, ranked seventh in free throw percentage (86.9%).https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/marinja01.html Jack Marin 2010-06-20 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com Randy Smith, who played in all 82 regular-season games for the third consecutive season, finished fourth in assists per game (6.5).https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithra01.html Randy Smith 2010-04-20 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com McAdoo, who also played all 82 games, led the NBA in minutes played, field goals, rebounds (ranked fourth per game), points, and points per game. Meanwhile, he ranked sixth in blocks per game, second in total free throws, and fifth in field goal percentage. This performance earned him the league MVP and first team All-NBA honors.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcadobo01.html Bob McAdoo 2010-04-19 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20100506002558/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcadobo01.html 6 May 2010 live October–November As he had the season before, DiGregorio had a tremendous opening night with 33 points. The Braves defeated the defending champion Boston Celtics 126–119, giving them their first win in nine games against Boston as a visitor.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sqszAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7jgHAAAAIBAJ&pg=629,1248368&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Buffalo Ruins Celts Opener 2010-10-12 1974-10-18 Bangor Daily News The Celtics had eliminated the Braves from the 1975 NBA Playoffs.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=46IrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nPwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6920,3862970&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Ernie D., McAdoo Team To Spoil Celts Opener 2010-10-12 1974-10-19 The Telegraph Peters, Gil DiGregorio was sidelined after six games due to knee surgery.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CRU0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=CCMIAAAAIBAJ&pg=4019,4416580&dq=buffalo+braves+injury&hl=en Celtics, Braves In Torrid Battle For Atlantic Title 2010-10-12 1975-01-15 Bangor Daily News After a 4–3 start, the Braves won eleven in a row starting with a November 3, 1974, victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Los Angeles Forum and culminating with a November 23 victory over the Phoenix Suns at home. In order to win the eighth game of the streak, the Braves had to overcome a seventeen-point deficit to earn a 111–106 victory against the Golden State Warriors.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dYYtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZpoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3852,6543215&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Bucks End 11-game Skid 2010-10-12 1974-11-21 Reading Eagle Even after losing to the Chicago Bulls on November 24, their 15–4 record was the best in the NBA.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ntkPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8owDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5523,3509917&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Braves Streak Ended 2010-10-12 1974-11-25 Boca Raton News December–January During December, the Braves dealt with injuries to McMillan, who required an emergency appendectomy, and DiGregorio.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hVMaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vyQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1625,4121430&dq=buffalo+braves+injury&hl=en Jabbar Goggles Braves 2010-10-12 1974-12-04 The Times-News After their great start, the Braves compiled a 6–7 month of December. On December 19, despite 49 points by McAdoo, the Braves lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7oojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7YgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,5890377&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en https://archive.today/20120721135040/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7oojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7YgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,5890377&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en dead July 21, 2012 Cavaliers Survive 49-point Effort By Braves McAdoo 2010-10-12 1974-12-20 Tri City Herald On December 28, the NBA's smallest player, Calvin Murphy scored a career-high 45 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 125–117 victory over Buffalo.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/645818832.html?dids=645818832:645818832&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+29%2C+1974&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Murphy+Hits+45%2C+Leads+Houston+Past+Buffalo&pqatl=google https://web.archive.org/web/20121104045129/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/645818832.html?dids=645818832:645818832&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+29,+1974&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Murphy+Hits+45,+Leads+Houston+Past+Buffalo&pqatl=google dead November 4, 2012 Murphy Hits 45, Leads Houston Past Buffalo 2010-10-12 1974-12-29 C4 Los Angeles Times By January, Heard was suffering from a knee injury. As a result, in some games, the Braves only played seven players.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aakfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e9YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2619,596253&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Braves Scalp Hawks 2010-10-12 1975-01-05 Gadsden Times In a January 3 game against the Detroit Pistons, Dale Schlueter was involved in two altercations that resulted in bench-clearing brawls.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jj4oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HCkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7073,1155790&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Tempers Are Short In Piston Victory 2010-10-12 1975-01-04 The Milwaukee Journal 2016-01-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20160123191916/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jj4oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HCkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7073,1155790&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en dead In January 1975, the Braves recorded a seven-game winning streak starting with a January 10 win over the Cavaliers and ending with a January 24 victory over the New York Knicks. In the fifth game of the streak, McAdoo outscored Pete Maravich 43–40 at New Orleans.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/602596872.html?dids=602596872:602596872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+20%2C+1975&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McAdoo+and+Buffalo+End+Jazz+Win+Streak&pqatl=google https://web.archive.org/web/20121104045143/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/602596872.html?dids=602596872:602596872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+20,+1975&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McAdoo+and+Buffalo+End+Jazz+Win+Streak&pqatl=google dead November 4, 2012 McAdoo and Buffalo End Jazz Win Streak 2010-10-12 1975-01-20 E2 Los Angeles Times February–April Following an 11–4 January, the Braves struggled to a 7–7 record in February. On January 24, DiGregorio returned to the active roster following his October 29 knee cartilage injury.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VbsdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2EYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6770,4015336&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Knee Problems Finally Bench DiGregorio For Rest Of The Year 2010-10-12 1975-03-24 Daily News The March 13 victory against the Golden State Warriors established the franchise record for most wins in a season at 43, surpassing the prior season's total of 42.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/611410282.html?dids=611410282:611410282&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+14%2C+1975&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Knicks+discard+Blazers&pqatl=google https://web.archive.org/web/20121104072519/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/611410282.html?dids=611410282:611410282&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+14,+1975&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Knicks+discard+Blazers&pqatl=google dead November 4, 2012 Knicks discard Blazers 2010-10-19 1975-03-14 Chicago Tribune C2 From March 14 to March 21, the Braves posted their season-worst four-game losing streak. Donovan announced his April 1 resignation in late March. In late March, DiGregorio was sidelined for the rest of the season. The Braves then went on a five-game winning streak from March 22 to March 29,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iZ0fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gdUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4652,3887020&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Celts Victim Of Braves, Hawks Triumph 2010-10-12 1975-03-30 The Southeast Missourian but the team lost three of four April regular-season games. Season standings BUF BUF Season schedule Buffalo Braves 1975 #428FDF #FFFFFF Total: 49–33 (home: 30–11; road: 19–22 Buffalo Braves October yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 3 1 1 1 |- | 1 || October 18 || @ Boston || 126–119 || Ernie DiGregorio (33) || Heard, McAdoo (11) || Ernie DiGregorio (9) || Boston Garden15,320 || 1–0 |- | 2 || October 19 || Boston || 113–95 || Bob McAdoo (21) || Bob McAdoo (14) || Ernie DiGregorio (7) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium15,288 || 1–1 |- | 3 || October 22 || New Orleans || 118–134 || Bob McAdoo (33) || Bob McAdoo (22) || Ernie DiGregorio (7) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium8,251 || 2–1 |- | 4 || October 24 || New York || 91–111 || Bob McAdoo (28) || Heard, McAdoo, Schlueter (12) || Ernie DiGregorio (8) || Maple Leaf Gardens5,981 || 3–1 |- | 5 || October 26 || Chicago || 104–105 || Bob McAdoo (41) || Bob McAdoo (19) || Ernie DiGregorio (10) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,767 || 4–1 |- | 6 || October 29 || @ Golden State || 101–130 || Bob McAdoo (35) || Bob McAdoo (20) || Ernie DiGregorio (8) || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena4,221 || 4–2 |- Buffalo Braves November yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 6 1 6 3 |- | 7 || November 1 || @ Portland || 106–113 || Bob McAdoo (27) || Gar Heard (12) || Randy Smith (10) || Memorial Coliseum11,927 || 4–3 |- | 8 || November 3 || @ Los Angeles || 124–101 || Bob McAdoo (32) || Bob McAdoo (18) || Bob Weiss (9) || The Forum13,119 || 5–3 |- | 9 || November 6 || @ New Orleans || 110–98 || Bob McAdoo (41) || Gar Heard (13) || Bob Weiss (7) || Municipal Auditorium3,302 || 6–3 |- | 10 || November 9 || Detroit || 100–109 || Bob McAdoo (29) || Bob McAdoo (20) || Randy Smith (10) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,113 || 7–3 |- | 11 || November 10 || @ Detroit || 124–117 || Bob McAdoo (27) || Gar Heard (13) || Randy Smith (10) || Cobo Arena4,301 || 8–3 |- | 12 || November 12 || Cleveland || 94–112 || Bob McAdoo (32) || Bob McAdoo (23) || Smith, Winfield (6) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium7,664 || 9–3 |- | 13 || November 14 || @ Boston || 112–100 || Randy Smith (27) || Heard, McAdoo (11) || McAdoo, Weiss (5) || Providence Civic Center7,315 || 10–3 |- | 14 || November 16 || Kansas City–Omaha || 96–101 || Bob McAdoo (29) || Bob McAdoo (19) || Randy Smith (6) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium8,274 || 11–3 |- | 15 || November 19 || Golden State || 106–111 || Bob McAdoo (43) || Bob McAdoo (19) || Randy Smith (9) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium8,529 || 12–3 |- | 16 || November 20 || @ Washington || 115–104 || Randy Smith (28) || Heard, Marin, McAdoo (9) || Bob Weiss (8) || Capital Centre8,640 || 13–3 |- | 17 || November 21 || Philadelphia || 95–99 || Bob McAdoo (28) || Bob McAdoo (15) || Bob Weiss (8) || Maple Leaf Gardens5,467 || 14–3 |- | 18 || November 23 || Phoenix || 104–117 || Bob McAdoo (33) || Heard, Marin, McAdoo (11) || Bob Weiss (9) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,743 || 15–3 |- | 19 || November 24 || @ Chicago || 89–91 || Bob McAdoo (31) || Bob McAdoo (18) || Bob Weiss (4) || Chicago Stadium13,346 || 15–4 |- | 20 || November 26 || @ Philadelphia || 103–99 || Bob McAdoo (46) || Gar Heard (15) || Lee Winfield (7) || The Spectrum8,110 || 16–4 |- | 21 || November 29 || Washington || 96–93 || Bob McAdoo (27) || Bob McAdoo (17) || Bob Weiss (4) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium16,209 || 16–5 |- | 22 || November 30 || @ New York || 111–118 || Bob McAdoo (36) || Bob McAdoo (18) || Smith, Weiss (4) || Madison Square Garden19,694 || 16–6 |- Buffalo Braves December yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 4 2 2 5 |- | 23 || December 3 || Milwaukee || 110–101 || Bob McAdoo (37) || Gar Heard (16) || Gar Heard (5) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium8,585 || 16–7 |- | 24 || December 6 || Portland || 105–114 || Bob McAdoo (38) || Bob McAdoo (18) || Bob Weiss (11) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium10,724 || 17–7 |- | 25 || December 7 || @ Philadelphia || 112–116 || Bob McAdoo (34) || Bob McAdoo (13) || Randy Smith (8) || The Spectrum7,020 || 17–8 |- | 26 || December 10 || Philadelphia || 91–101 || Bob McAdoo (25) || Bob McAdoo (21) || McAdoo, Smith (5) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium7,888 || 18–8 |- | 27 || December 12 || Houston || 113–124 || Bob McAdoo (32) || Dale Schlueter (10) || Randy Smith (13) || Maple Leaf Gardens4,519 || 19–8 |- | 28 || December 13 || New York || 104–108 || Bob McAdoo (42) || Bob McAdoo (23) || Charles, Heard, Smith (4) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,774 || 20–8 |- | 29 || December 14 || @ New York || 118–102 || Bob McAdoo (37) || Bob McAdoo (15) || Gar Heard (7) || Madison Square Garden19,694 || 21–8 |- | 30 || December 17 || @ Kansas City–Omaha || 110–111 || Bob McAdoo (44) || Bob McAdoo (14) || Heard, Smith (6) || Kemper Arena5,179 || 21–9 |- | 31 || December 19 || @ Cleveland || 104–106 || Bob McAdoo (49) || Gar Heard (15) || Lee Winfield (4) || Richfield Coliseum6,876 || 21–10 |- | 32 || December 20 || Atlanta || 113–102 || Randy Smith (35) || Bob McAdoo (9) || Randy Smith (8) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium7,843 || 21–11 |- | 33 || December 27 || @ Phoenix || 108–92 || McAdoo, McMillian (23) || Jack Marin (12) || Randy Smith (10) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum9,205 || 22–11 |- | 34 || December 28 || @ Houston || 117–125 || Bob McAdoo (35) || Bob McAdoo (12) || Randy Smith (14) || Hofheinz Pavilion5,447 || 22–12 |- | 35 || December 30 || @ Milwaukee || 91–106 || Bob McAdoo (29) || Bob McAdoo (10) || Randy Smith (7) || MECCA Arena10,938 || 22–13 |- Buffalo Braves January yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 7 2 4 2 |- | 36 || January 3 || Detroit || 111–92 || Bob McAdoo (29) || Bob McAdoo (11) || Randy Smith (6) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium13,464 || 22–14 |- | 37 || January 4 || @ Atlanta || 121–108 || Bob McAdoo (47) || Bob McAdoo (15) || Randy Smith (6) || Omni Coliseum5,070 || 23–14 |- | 38 || January 6 || @ Philadelphia || 95–101 || McMillian, Smith (23) || Smith, Weiss (5) || Bob McAdoo (6) || The Spectrum8,186 || 23–15 |- | 39 || January 7 || Los Angeles || 107–115 || Bob McAdoo (44) || Bob McAdoo (18) || Randy Smith (9) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium8,380 || 24–15 |- | 40 || January 9 || Boston || 108–100 || Bob McAdoo (30) || Bob McAdoo (11) || Randy Smith (7) || Maple Leaf Gardens13,544 || 24–16 |- | 41 || January 10 || Cleveland || 100–104 || Bob McAdoo (33) || Bob McAdoo (12) || Randy Smith (8) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium10,875 || 25–16 |- | 42 || January 12 || Boston || 101–114 || Bob McAdoo (41) || Bob McAdoo (13) || Randy Smith (12) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium15,377 || 26–16 |- | 43 || January 17 || Golden State || 116–121 || Bob McAdoo (43) || Bob McAdoo (17) || Randy Smith (11) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium13,727 || 27–16 |- | 44 || January 18 || @ Atlanta || 129–115 || Bob McAdoo (32) || Jim Washington (16) || Bob Weiss (11) || Omni Coliseum9,501 || 28–16 |- | 45 || January 19 || @ New Orleans || 117–112 || Bob McAdoo (43) || Bob McAdoo (14) || Bob Weiss (6) || Loyola Field House4,214 || 29–16 |- | 46 || January 21 || Seattle || 108–118 || Bob McAdoo (49) || Bob McAdoo (19) || Randy Smith (10) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium10,271 || 30–16 |- | 47 || January 24 || New York || 99–105 || Randy Smith (32) || Bob McAdoo (21) || Randy Smith (6) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium18,194 || 31–16 |- | 48 || January 26 || @ Boston || 93–107 || Bob McAdoo (38) || Jim McMillian (11) || Randy Smith (6) || Boston Garden15,320 || 31–17 |- | 49 || January 30 || @ Cleveland || 97–91 || Bob McAdoo (37) || Bob McAdoo (12) || Randy Smith (5) || Richfield Coliseum8,046 || 32–17 |- | 50 || January 31 || Atlanta || 101–111 || Bob McAdoo (26) || Bob McAdoo (17) || Bob Weiss (5) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium10,888 || 33–17 |- Buffalo Braves February yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 4 4 3 3 |- | 51 || February 1 || @ Detroit || 113–119 || Bob McAdoo (37) || Bob McAdoo (13) || DiGregorio, Smith (6) || Cobo Arena11,245 || 33–18 |- | 52 || February 4 || Philadelphia || 111–105 (OT) || Bob McAdoo (39) || Bob McAdoo (9) || Randy Smith (6) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium8,611 || 33–19 |- | 53 || February 7 || Los Angeles || 98–108 || Jack Marin (23) || Bob McAdoo (20) || Randy Smith (6) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium10,742 || 34–19 |- | 54 || February 9 || @ Seattle || 99–93 (OT) || Bob McAdoo (39) || Bob McAdoo (13) || Randy Smith (9) || Seattle Center Coliseum14,082 || 35–19 |- | 55 || February 11 || @ Los Angeles || 112–108 || Bob McAdoo (47) || Bob McAdoo (16) || Randy Smith (7) || The Forum14,114 || 36–19 |- | 56 || February 12 || @ Phoenix || 96–108 || Bob McAdoo (34) || Jim McMillian (11) || Randy Smith (6) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum6,255 || 36–20 |- | 57 || February 14 || Kansas City–Omaha || 132–112 || Bob McAdoo (36) || Gar Heard (9) || Randy Smith (7) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,207 || 36–21 |- | 58 || February 16 || @ Chicago || 109–114 || Bob McAdoo (40) || Bob McAdoo (14) || Randy Smith (7) || Chicago Stadium15,972 || 36–22 |- | 59 || February 18 || Phoenix || 109–124 || Bob McAdoo (41) || Bob McAdoo (11) || Randy Smith (9) || Maple Leaf Gardens8,163 || 37–22 |- | 60 || February 21 || Portland || 106–116 || Bob McAdoo (35) || Jim McMillian (13) || Ernie DiGregorio (10) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,202 || 38–22 |- | 61 || February 22 || @ New York || 92–85 || Bob McAdoo (27) || Bob McAdoo (20) || Randy Smith (8) || Madison Square Garden19,694 || 39–22 |- | 62 || February 25 || Washington || 111–93 || Bob McAdoo (33) || Bob McAdoo (18) || DiGregorio, Smith (7) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium13,964 || 39–23 |- | 63 || February 27 || New Orleans || 100–110 || Bob McAdoo (34) || Gar Heard (15) || Randy Smith (6) || Maple Leaf Gardens5,578 || 40–23 |- | 64 || February 28 || New York || 114–106 || Bob McAdoo (41) || Randy Smith (7) || Randy Smith (9) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium15,519 || 40–24 |- Buffalo Braves March yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 5 0 3 6 |- | 65 || March 1 || @ Milwaukee || 100–104 || Bob McAdoo (38) || Bob McAdoo (13) || Dale Schlueter (8) || MECCA Arena10,938 || 40–25 |- | 66 || March 4 || Seattle || 97–104 || Bob McAdoo (39) || Bob McAdoo (16) || Randy Smith (7) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,665 || 41–25 |- | 67 || March 6 || @ Kansas City–Omaha || 110–111 || Randy Smith (28) || Bob McAdoo (16) || Randy Smith (7) || Kemper Arena8,644 || 41–26 |- | 68 || March 8 || Milwaukee || 95–110 || Bob McAdoo (33) || Gar Heard (16) || Ernie DiGregorio (10) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium15,124 || 42–26 |- | 69 || March 13 || @ Golden State || 122–103 || Bob McAdoo (39) || Bob McAdoo (25) || Randy Smith (8) || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena12,787 || 43–26 |- | 70 || March 14 || @ Seattle || 105–125 || Bob McAdoo (27) || Bob McAdoo (7) || Randy Smith (5) || Seattle Center Coliseum14,082 || 43–27 |- | 71 || March 16 || @ Portland || 95–102 || Bob McAdoo (32) || Bob McAdoo (15) || Ernie DiGregorio (8) || Memorial Coliseum10,495 || 43–28 |- | 72 || March 18 || @ Houston || 115–122 || Bob McAdoo (51) || Bob McAdoo (20) || Randy Smith (9) || Hofheinz Pavilion8,627 || 43–29 |- | 73 || March 21 || @ Boston || 101–109 || Bob McAdoo (49) || Bob McAdoo (17) || DiGregorio, Smith (8) || Boston Garden15,320 || 43–30 |- | 74 || March 22 || Houston || 112–117 || Bob McAdoo (42) || Bob McAdoo (15) || Randy Smith (9) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium18,164 || 44–30 |- | 75 || March 25 || Philadelphia || 103–118 || Bob McAdoo (48) || Bob McAdoo (20) || Heard, McMillian (5) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,404 || 45–30 |- | 76 || March 26 || @ Washington || 94–91 || Bob McAdoo (34) || Bob McAdoo (17) || Randy Smith (10) || Capital Centre15,226 || 46–30 |- | 77 || March 28 || @ Philadelphia || 115–104 || Bob McAdoo (27) || Marin, McAdoo (7) || Randy Smith (9) || The Spectrum5,511 || 47–30 |- | 78 || March 29 || Boston || 96–102 || Bob McAdoo (31) || Gar Heard (13) || Randy Smith (9) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium18,169 || 48–30 |- Buffalo Braves April yes #428FDF #FFFFFF 1 1 0 2 |- | 79 || April 1 || Chicago || 98–93 || Bob McAdoo (36) || Gar Heard (16) || Randy Smith (8) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium12,888 || 48–31 |- | 80 || April 2 || @ Boston || 92–95 || Bob McAdoo (25) || Bob McAdoo (14) || Bob McAdoo (4) || Boston Garden12,391 || 48–32 |- | 81 || April 4 || Philadelphia || 97–108 || Bob McAdoo (37) || Gar Heard (18) || Randy Smith (11) || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium10,628 || 49–32 |- | 82 || April 6 || @ New York || 93–105 || Bob McAdoo (32) || Bob McAdoo (14) || Randy Smith (6) || Madison Square Garden19,694 || 49–33 |- Source: www.basketball-reference.com Playoffs During the playoffs, the Braves captured home court advantage with a victory over the Washington Bullets in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but the Bullets returned the favor in game two. The home teams won the remaining games as Buffalo lost the series in seven games. DiGregorio missed the playoffs. McAdoo played 46.7 minutes per game during the playoffs and averaged 37.4 points, which both led the league. Heard averaged 11.7 points and 10.9 rebounds. During the regular season the Bullets had been 36–5 (which was an NBA single-season record for home victories) at home, but lost both games to the Braves. The Braves then opened the series at the Capital Centre with a 113–102 victory in game 1. McAdoo was the game-high scorer with 35 and game-high rebounder with 14.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yHokAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BCkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2440,188076&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Braves Like Bullets' Floor 2010-08-06 1975-04-11 The Milwaukee Journal 2016-01-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20160123191917/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yHokAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BCkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2440,188076&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en deadhttps://www.nytimes.com/1975/04/11/archives/braves-vanquish-bullets-for-a-10-lead-braves-top-bullets-for-10.html Braves Vanquish Bullets for a 1-0 Lead; Braves Top Bullets for 1-0 Margin 2010-08-06 1975-04-11 56 The New York Times Rogers, Thomas subscription The Bullets rebounded for a 120–106 victory in game 2 in Buffalo.https://www.nytimes.com/1975/04/13/archives/bullets-square-series-with-braves-bullets-beat-braves-tie-series-11.html Bullets Square Series With Braves; Bullets Beat Braves, Tie Series, 1-1 2010-08-06 1975-04-13 215 The New York Times Rogers, Thomas subscription Wes Unseld totaled 25 rebounds and Elvin Hayes added 16 as well as 34 points. Meanwhile, McAdoo, who had averaged 14.1 rebounds during the regular season only had 6.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5FUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3597,1793446&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en https://archive.today/20120722071249/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5FUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3597,1793446&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en dead 2012-07-22 Braves' hope: the hex 2010-08-06 1975-04-14 The Free Lance-Star Pike, Marvin R. 5 In game 3, Phil Chenier scored 18 points in the third quarter as the Bullets expanded a 53–52 lead to 81–70. Unseld had 18 rebounds and Hayes had 16 to go along with his 30 points. McAdoo had a game-high 34 and Smith added 26 in a losing effort.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XHcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c3kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5242,1061542&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en pro basketball 2010-08-07 1975-04-17 St. Petersburg Times 11-C Before game 4, McAdoo received his hardware for his league MVP and league scoring title and responded that night with a 50-point performance as the Braves evened the series 2–2 with a 108–102 victory.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/611659792.html?dids=611659792:611659792&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+19%2C+1975&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=McAdoo+bags+50+as+Braves+triumph&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20120713042515/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/611659792.html?dids=611659792:611659792&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+19,+1975&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=McAdoo+bags+50+as+Braves+triumph&pqatl=google dead July 13, 2012 McAdoo bags 50 as Braves triumph 2010-08-06 1975-04-19 Chicago Tribune 1, section 2 subscription Two nights later Hayes responded with 46 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Bullets completed a 97–93 comeback victory to regain the series lead 3–2.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/611610842.html?dids=611610842:611610842&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+21%2C+1975&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Bullets+nip+Braves&pqatl=google Bullets nip Braves 2010-08-06 1975-04-21 Chicago Tribune 1, section 4 subscription 2012-11-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103120538/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/611610842.html?dids=611610842:611610842&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+21,+1975&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Bullets+nip+Braves&pqatl=google dead In the game, the score was tied at 89 with two minutes left when Nick Weatherspoon hit a 17-foot jumper to give the Bullets the lead for good. Chenier and Hayes built the lead up to 94–89 before McMillian made two short shots to bring the Braves back within 1 point in the final minute. An Unseld offensive rebound and putback of a Hayes miss gave the Bullets crucial points in the final seconds. On the night Hayes shot 19-for 26 and McAdoo countered with 34 points.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cEwfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e9EEAAAAIBAJ&pg=867,2541701&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Bullets Best Braves; Bulls Trounce Kings 2010-08-06 1975-04-21 Daytona Beach Morning Journal In game 6, the Braves earned a 102–96 victory as McAdoo scored 9 of his 37 points in the final five minutes. The game had 19 tie scores, with the last being at 89.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JOAbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2lEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1967,4851995&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Bulls win first series; Buffalo ties Washington 2010-08-07 1975-04-24 The Dispatch In game 7, Washington jumped to a 28–13 lead after one quarter behind 14 points by Chenier. Washington expanded the lead to 42–19 before closing the first half with a 56–38 lead. On the night, Chenier had a career-high 39 points in the 115–96 victory. McAdoo had 36 for Buffalo.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=58wVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4548,5256865&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en Bullets Race Past Braves 2010-08-07 1975-04-26 The Milwaukee Sentinel 2016-01-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20160123191916/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=58wVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4548,5256865&dq=buffalo+braves&hl=en dead Playoff schedule Buffalo Braves 1975 yes #428FDF #FFFFFF Buffalo Braves Conference Semifinals yes yes no #428FDF #FFFFFF 2 1 1 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 10 | @ Washington | W 113–102 | Bob McAdoo (35) | Bob McAdoo (14) | Randy Smith (9) | Capital Centre17,140 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 12 | Washington | L 106–120 | Bob McAdoo (36) | Gar Heard (10) | Randy Smith (7) | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium17,189 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 16 | @ Washington | L 96–111 | Bob McAdoo (34) | Bob McAdoo (19) | Randy Smith (7) | Capital Centre19,035 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | April 18 | Washington | W 108–102 | Bob McAdoo (50) | Bob McAdoo (21) | Randy Smith (10) | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium15,307 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | April 20 | @ Washington | L 93–97 | Bob McAdoo (34) | Gar Heard (14) | Heard, Smith (5) | Capital Centre18,820 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | April 23 | Washington | W 102–96 | Bob McAdoo (37) | Bob McAdoo (10) | Smith, Weiss (7) | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium15,172 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | April 25 | @ Washington | L 96–115 | Bob McAdoo (36) | Gar Heard (14) | Randy Smith (4) | Capital Centre19,035 | 3–4 |- BUF yes 1975 Source: www.basketball-reference.com Player stats +LegendGPGames playedMPGMinutes per gameFGField-goals per gameFGAField-goals attempted per GameFG%Field-goal percentageFTFree-throws per gameFTAFree-throws attempted per GameFT%Free-throw percentageORPGOffensive rebounds per gameDRPGDefensive rebounds per gameRPGRebounds per gameAPGAssists per gameSPGSteals per gameBPGBlocks per gamePFPGPersonal fouls per gamePPGPoints per game Player GP MPG FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORPG DRPG RPG APG SPG BPG PFPG PPG Bob McAdoo 8243.213.426.10.5127.89.70.8053.710.314.12.21.12.13.434.5 Randy Smith Randy Smith (basketball) 8236.67.415.40.4842.93.60.81.234.26.51.70317.8 Jim McMillian 6234.45.611.20.4993.13.70.8424.26.22.51.10.22.114.3 Jack Marin 8126.54.710.30.4552.42.70.8691.33.24.51.60.60.22.911.8 Gar Heard 6732.14.712.20.3881.62.80.5642.87.29.92.81.61.83.611.1 Ernie DiGregorio 31233.37.50.441.11.50.7780.21.31.54.90.6027.8 Ken Charles 7921.436.50.4661.51.80.8220.91.22.12.21.10.32.17.6 Lee Winfield 6818.52.44.60.5260.710.7210.71.21.920.60.41.65.5 Jim Washington 42161.83.90.4750.50.90.5531.43.34.710.30.31.94.2 Dale Schlueter 7612.71.22.30.5171.11.60.69412.43.51.40.20.62.13.5 Bob Weiss 7617.61.33.40.3910.70.90.8060.31.11.43.41.10.31.93.4 Paul Ruffner 224.712.10.46800.20.20.50.510.30.10.112 Bernie Harris Bernie Harris (basketball) 112.30.210.1820.10.20.50.20.50.70.100.100.5 Awards and honors Bob McAdoo, NBA Most Valuable Player Bob McAdoo, NBA Scoring Champion Bob McAdoo All-NBA Team (1st team) Bob McAdoo 1975 NBA All-Star Game Transactions Prior to the season the team lost Bob Kauffman to the New Orleans Jazz in the May 20, 1974 NBA expansion draft.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kauffbo01.html Bob Kauffman 2010-04-19 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com On August 29, 1974, the Braves purchased Dale Schlueter from the Atlanta Hawks.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schluda01.html Dale Schlueter 2010-06-18 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20091117111104/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schluda01.html 2009-11-17 On September 4, 1974, Matt Guokas was traded along with a 1977 NBA draft second round pick and a future second round draft pick to the Chicago Bulls for Bob Weiss.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/guokama02.html Matt Guokas 2010-06-18 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com Bernie Harris was waived on January 20, 1975.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harribe01.html Bernie Harris 2010-06-18 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com Mike Macaluso did not return to play for the Braves and never played in the NBA again.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/macalmi01.html Mike Macaluso 2010-06-18 Sports Reference LLC Basketball-Reference.com The Braves were involved in the following transactions during the 1974–75 season. Trades September 4, 1974 To Buffalo Braves Bob Weiss To Chicago Bulls Matt Goukas 1977 2nd round draft pick Future 2nd round draft pick January 8, 1975 To Buffalo Braves Jim Washington To Atlanta Hawks 1976 5th round pick Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Dale Schlueter Purchased contract, August 29 Atlanta Hawks Subtractions Player Left New team Bob Kauffman expansion draft, May 20 New Orleans Jazz Mike Macaluso free agency, July 1 Israel Sabras Bernie Harris waived, January 20 Wilkes-Barre Barons References 30em External links Braves on Database Basketball Braves on Basketball Reference Buffalo Category:Buffalo Braves seasons Buffalo Buffalo