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1974–75 Buffalo Braves season

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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.[1] The team's home arena was the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, with six "home" games played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.

1974–75 Buffalo Braves season
Head coachJack Ramsay
ArenaBuffalo Memorial Auditorium
Maple Leaf Gardens
Results
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Atlantic)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finishEast Semifinals
(lost to Bullets 3–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWBEN-TV
RadioWBEN
< 1973–74 1975–76 >

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,[2] leading the league with 34.5 points per game, while adding 14.1 rebounds per contest, fourth-best in the NBA.[2]

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

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On March 21, Braves general manager Eddie Donovan announced that he would resign effective April 1.[3] The resignation was controversial because there were rumors that he would return to work for his prior team, New York Knicks,[4] 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.[5] The transition was complicated by Donovan's 5% ownership of the Braves.[6] Incoming commissioner, Larry O'Brien announced an amicable settlement as one of his first orders of business.[7]

NBA draft

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Main article: 1974 NBA draft

The following members of the 1974–75 Buffalo Braves were drafted during the 1974 NBA draft.[8] McMillen played for a year in Europe before joining the 1975–76 Buffalo Braves.[9] He played for a team in Bologna, Italy.[10]

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

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Buffalo Braves 1974-75 roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. From
G 14 Charles, Ken 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fordham
G 15 DiGregorio, Ernie 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Providence
F 34 Harris, Bernie 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 200 lb (91 kg) VCU
F 24 Heard, Gar 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Oklahoma
F 42 Marin, Jack 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Duke
C 11 McAdoo, Bob 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) North Carolina
F 5 McMillian, Jim 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Columbia
C 22 Ruffner, Paul 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 225 lb (102 kg) BYU
C 54 Schlueter, Dale 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Colorado State
G 9 Smith, Randy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Buffalo State
F 12 Washington, Jim 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Villanova
G 8 Weiss, Bob 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Penn State
G 3 Winfield, Lee 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) North Texas
Head coach
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster Notes

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Regular season

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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.[11] 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,[12] watched former Laker Jim McMillian battle illness that caused him to miss 20 games,[13] and also lost Gar Heard for 15 games,[14] 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.[11][15] The team defense improved sufficiently to create an average 2.2-point scoring margin after a slight average deficit the year before.[11][16]

McMillian ranked tenth in the league in field goal percentage.[13] Heard ranked 9th in blocks per game (1.8).[14] Jack Marin, who played in 81 games, ranked seventh in free throw percentage (86.9%).[17] Randy Smith, who played in all 82 regular-season games for the third consecutive season, finished fourth in assists per game (6.5).[18] 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.[19]

October–November

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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.[20] The Celtics had eliminated the Braves from the 1975 NBA Playoffs.[21] DiGregorio was sidelined after six games due to knee surgery.[22] 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.[11] 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.[23] Even after losing to the Chicago Bulls on November 24, their 15–4 record was the best in the NBA.[24]

December–January

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During December, the Braves dealt with injuries to McMillan, who required an emergency appendectomy,[22] and DiGregorio.[25] After their great start, the Braves compiled a 6–7 month of December.[11] On December 19, despite 49 points by McAdoo, the Braves lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[26] 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.[27] By January, Heard was suffering from a knee injury.[22] As a result, in some games, the Braves only played seven players.[28] In a January 3 game against the Detroit Pistons, Dale Schlueter was involved in two altercations that resulted in bench-clearing brawls.[29] 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.[11] In the fifth game of the streak, McAdoo outscored Pete Maravich 43–40 at New Orleans.[30]

February–April

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Following an 11–4 January, the Braves struggled to a 7–7 record in February.[11] On January 24, DiGregorio returned to the active roster following his October 29 knee cartilage injury.[31] 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.[32] From March 14 to March 21, the Braves posted their season-worst four-game losing streak.[11] Donovan announced his April 1 resignation in late March.[3] In late March, DiGregorio was sidelined for the rest of the season.[31] The Braves then went on a five-game winning streak from March 22 to March 29,[11][33] but the team lost three of four April regular-season games.[11]

Season standings

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Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics 60 22 .732 – 28–13 32–9 17–9
x-Buffalo Braves 49 33 .598 11 30–11 19–22 15–11
x-New York Knicks 40 42 .488 20 23–18 17–24 9–17
Philadelphia 76ers 34 48 .415 26 20–21 14–27 11–15
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics 60 22 .732 –
2 y-Washington Bullets 60 22 .732 –
3 x-Buffalo Braves 49 33 .598 11
4 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 19
5 x-New York Knicks 40 42 .488 20
6 Cleveland Cavaliers 40 42 .488 20
7 Philadelphia 76ers 34 48 .415 26
8 Atlanta Hawks 31 51 .378 29
9 New Orleans Jazz 23 59 .280 37

Record vs. opponents

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1974-75 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS BUF CHI CLE DET GSW HOU KCO LAL MIL NOJ NYK PHI PHO POR SEA WAS
Atlanta — 0–4 1–3 0–4 3–4 2–2 1–3 2–5 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–5 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 3–5
Boston 4–0 — 5–4 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 4–0 2–2 4–0 4–0 4–0 7–2 5–3 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–2
Buffalo 3–1 4–5 — 1–3 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 4–0 1–3 4–0 5–3 6–3 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2
Chicago 4–0 1–3 3–1 — 2–2 4–5 3–1 2–2 4–5 3–1 3–5 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–3
Cleveland 4–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 — 2–2 2–2 4–4 2–2 2–2 1–3 6–1 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–5
Detroit 2–2 1–3 2–2 5–4 2–2 — 1–3 2–2 2–6 3–1 3–6 4–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 1–3
Golden State 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 — 2–2 2–2 5–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 5–3 5–3 4–3 1–3
Houston 5–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 4–4 2–2 2–2 — 4–0 2–2 3–1 5–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–5
Kansas City-Omaha 2–2 2–2 3–1 5–4 2–2 6–2 2–2 0–4 — 3–1 6–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3
Los Angeles 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–5 2–2 1–3 — 4–0 3–1 0–4 3–1 4–4 2–5 2–6 1–3
Milwaukee 2–2 0–4 3–1 5–3 3–1 6–3 1–3 1–3 3–6 0–4 — 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4
New Orleans 5–3 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–6 0–4 2–2 3–5 2–2 1–3 1–3 — 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–7
New York 4–0 2–7 3–5 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–2 — 4–5 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3
Philadelphia 2–2 3–5 3–6 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 5–4 — 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3
Phoenix 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–5 2–2 1–3 4–4 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 — 1–6 4–3 1–3
Portland 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–5 2–2 1–3 5–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 6–1 — 2–6 1–3
Seattle 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 3–4 3–1 3–1 6–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–4 6–2 — 1–3
Washington 5–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 5–3 3–1 3–1 5–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 7–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 —

Season schedule

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1974–75 game log
October: 4–2 (home: 3–1; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
1 October 18 @ Boston Celtics 126–119 1–0 Win 1
2 October 19 Boston Celtics 95–113 1–1 Loss 1
3 October 22 New Orleans Jazz 134–118 2–1 Win 1
4 October 24 New York Knicks (at Toronto, Canada) 111–91 3–1 Win 2
5 October 26 Chicago Bulls 105–104 4–1 Win 3
6 October 29 @ Golden State Warriors 101–130 4–2 Loss 1
November: 12–4 (home: 6–1; road: 6–3)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
7 November 1 @ Portland Trail Blazers 106–113 4–3 Loss 2
8 November 3 @ Los Angeles Lakers 124–101 5–3 Win 1
9 November 6 @ New Orleans Jazz 110–98 6–3 Win 2
10 November 9 Detroit Pistons 109–100 7–3 Win 3
11 November 10 @ Detroit Pistons 124–117 8–3 Win 4
12 November 12 Cleveland Cavaliers 112–94 9–3 Win 5
13 November 14 @ Boston Celtics (at Providence, Rhode Island) 112–100 10–3 Win 6
14 November 16 Kansas City-Omaha Kings 101–96 11–3 Win 7
15 November 19 Golden State Warriors 111–106 12–3 Win 8
16 November 20 @ Washington Bullets 115–104 13–3 Win 9
17 November 21 Philadelphia 76ers (at Toronto, Canada) 99–95 14–3 Win 10
18 November 23 Phoenix Suns 117–104 15–3 Win 11
19 November 24 @ Chicago Bulls 89–91 15–4 Loss 1
20 November 26 @ Philadelphia 76ers 103–99 16–4 Win 1
21 November 29 Washington Bullets 93–96 16–5 Loss 1
22 November 30 @ New York Knicks 111–118 16–6 Loss 2
December: 6–7 (home: 4–2; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
23 December 3 Milwaukee Bucks 101–110 16–7 Loss 3
24 December 6 Portland Trail Blazers 114–105 17–7 Win 1
25 December 7 @ Philadelphia 76ers 112–116 17–8 Loss 1
26 December 10 Philadelphia 76ers 101–91 18–8 Win 1
27 December 12 Houston Rockets (at Toronto, Canada) 124–113 19–8 Win 2
28 December 13 New York Knicks 108–104 20–8 Win 3
29 December 14 @ New York Knicks 118–102 21–8 Win 4
30 December 17 @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings 110–111 21–9 Loss 1
31 December 19 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 104–106 21–10 Loss 2
32 December 20 Atlanta Hawks 102–113 21–11 Loss 3
33 December 27 @ Phoenix Suns 108–92 22–11 Win 1
34 December 28 @ Houston Rockets 117–125 22–12 Loss 1
35 December 30 @ Milwaukee Bucks 91–106 22–13 Loss 2
January: 11–4 (home: 7–2; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
36 January 3 Detroit Pistons 92–111 22–14 Loss 3
37 January 4 @ Atlanta Hawks 121–108 23–14 Win 1
38 January 6 @ Philadelphia 76ers 95–101 23–15 Loss 1
39 January 7 Los Angeles Lakers 115–107 24–15 Win 1
40 January 9 Boston Celtics (at Toronto, Canada) 100–108 24–16 Loss 1
41 January 10 Cleveland Cavaliers 104–100 25–16 Win 1
42 January 12 Boston Celtics 114–101 26–16 Win 2
43 January 17 Golden State Warriors 121–116 27–16 Win 3
44 January 18 @ Atlanta Hawks 129–115 28–16 Win 4
45 January 19 @ New Orleans Jazz 117–112 29–16 Win 5
46 January 21 Seattle SuperSonics 118–108 30–16 Win 6
47 January 24 New York Knicks 105–99 31–16 Win 7
48 January 26 @ Boston Celtics 93–107 31–17 Loss 1
49 January 30 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 97–91 32–17 Win 1
50 January 31 Atlanta Hawks 111–101 33–17 Win 2
February: 7–7 (home: 4–4; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
51 February 1 @ Detroit Pistons 113–119 33–18 Loss 1
52 February 4 Philadelphia 76ers 105–111 (OT) 33–19 Loss 2
53 February 7 Los Angeles Lakers 108–98 34–19 Win 1
54 February 9 @ Seattle SuperSonics 99–93 (OT) 35–19 Win 2
55 February 11 @ Los Angeles Lakers 112–108 36–19 Win 3
56 February 12 @ Phoenix Suns 96–108 36–20 Loss 1
57 February 14 Kansas City-Omaha Kings 112–132 36–21 Loss 2
58 February 16 @ Chicago Bulls 109–114 36–22 Loss 3
59 February 18 Phoenix Suns (at Toronto, Canada) 124–109 37–22 Win 1
60 February 21 Portland Trail Blazers 116–106 38–22 Win 2
61 February 22 @ New York Knicks 92–85 39–22 Win 3
62 February 25 Washington Bullets 93–111 39–23 Loss 1
63 February 27 New Orleans Jazz (at Toronto, Canada) 110–100 40–23 Win 1
64 February 28 New York Knicks 106–114 40–24 Loss 1
March: 8–6 (home: 5–0; road: 3–6)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
65 March 1 @ Milwaukee Bucks 100–104 40–25 Loss 2
66 March 4 Seattle SuperSonics 104–97 41–25 Win 1
67 March 6 @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings 110–111 41–26 Loss 1
68 March 8 Milwaukee Bucks 110–95 42–26 Win 1
69 March 13 @ Golden State Warriors 122–103 43–26 Win 2
70 March 14 @ Seattle SuperSonics 105–125 43–27 Loss 1
71 March 16 @ Portland Trail Blazers 95–102 43–28 Loss 2
72 March 18 @ Houston Rockets 115–122 43–29 Loss 3
73 March 21 @ Boston Celtics 101–109 43–30 Loss 4
74 March 22 Houston Rockets 117–112 44–30 Win 1
75 March 25 Philadelphia 76ers 118–103 45–30 Win 2
76 March 26 @ Washington Bullets 94–91 46–30 Win 3
77 March 28 @ Philadelphia 76ers 115–104 47–30 Win 4
78 March 29 Boston Celtics 102–96 48–30 Win 5
April: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score Record Streak
79 April 1 Chicago Bulls 93–98 48–31 Loss 1
80 April 2 @ Boston Celtics 92–95 48–32 Loss 2
81 April 4 Philadelphia 76ers 108–97 49–32 Win 1
82 April 6 @ New York Knicks 93–105 49–33 Loss 1
Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Playoffs

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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.[11] DiGregorio missed the playoffs.[12] McAdoo played 46.7 minutes per game during the playoffs and averaged 37.4 points, which both led the league.[19] Heard averaged 11.7 points and 10.9 rebounds.[14]

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.[34][35] The Bullets rebounded for a 120–106 victory in game 2 in Buffalo.[36] 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.[37] 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.[38] 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.[39] 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.[40] 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.[41] 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.[42] 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.[43]

Playoff schedule

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1975 playoff game log
Conference semifinals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 10 @ Washington W 113–102 Bob McAdoo (35) Bob McAdoo (14) Randy Smith (9) Capital Centre
17,140 		1–0
2 April 12 Washington L 106–120 Bob McAdoo (36) Gar Heard (10) Randy Smith (7) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
17,189 		1–1
3 April 16 @ Washington L 96–111 Bob McAdoo (34) Bob McAdoo (19) Randy Smith (7) Capital Centre
19,035 		1–2
4 April 18 Washington W 108–102 Bob McAdoo (50) Bob McAdoo (21) Randy Smith (10) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
15,307 		2–2
5 April 20 @ Washington L 93–97 Bob McAdoo (34) Gar Heard (14) Heard, Smith (5) Capital Centre
18,820 		2–3
6 April 23 Washington W 102–96 Bob McAdoo (37) Bob McAdoo (10) Smith, Weiss (7) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
15,172 		3–3
7 April 25 @ Washington L 96–115 Bob McAdoo (36) Gar Heard (14) Randy Smith (4) Capital Centre
19,035 		3–4
1975 schedule

Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Player stats

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Legend
GP Games played MPG Minutes per game FG Field-goals per game FGA Field-goals attempted per Game
FG% Field-goal percentage FT Free-throws per game FTA Free-throws attempted per Game FT% Free-throw percentage
ORPG Offensive rebounds per game DRPG Defensive rebounds per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game
SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PFPG Personal fouls per game PPG Points per game
Player GP MPG FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORPG DRPG RPG APG SPG BPG PFPG PPG
Bob McAdoo 82 43.2 13.4 26.1 0.512 7.8 9.7 0.805 3.7 10.3 14.1 2.2 1.1 2.1 3.4 34.5
Randy Smith 82 36.6 7.4 15.4 0.484 2.9 3.6 0.8 1.2 3 4.2 6.5 1.7 0 3 17.8
Jim McMillian 62 34.4 5.6 11.2 0.499 3.1 3.7 0.84 2 4.2 6.2 2.5 1.1 0.2 2.1 14.3
Jack Marin 81 26.5 4.7 10.3 0.455 2.4 2.7 0.869 1.3 3.2 4.5 1.6 0.6 0.2 2.9 11.8
Gar Heard 67 32.1 4.7 12.2 0.388 1.6 2.8 0.564 2.8 7.2 9.9 2.8 1.6 1.8 3.6 11.1
Ernie DiGregorio 31 23 3.3 7.5 0.44 1.1 1.5 0.778 0.2 1.3 1.5 4.9 0.6 0 2 7.8
Ken Charles 79 21.4 3 6.5 0.466 1.5 1.8 0.822 0.9 1.2 2.1 2.2 1.1 0.3 2.1 7.6
Lee Winfield 68 18.5 2.4 4.6 0.526 0.7 1 0.721 0.7 1.2 1.9 2 0.6 0.4 1.6 5.5
Jim Washington 42 16 1.8 3.9 0.475 0.5 0.9 0.553 1.4 3.3 4.7 1 0.3 0.3 1.9 4.2
Dale Schlueter 76 12.7 1.2 2.3 0.517 1.1 1.6 0.694 1 2.4 3.5 1.4 0.2 0.6 2.1 3.5
Bob Weiss 76 17.6 1.3 3.4 0.391 0.7 0.9 0.806 0.3 1.1 1.4 3.4 1.1 0.3 1.9 3.4
Paul Ruffner 22 4.7 1 2.1 0.468 0 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.5 1 0.3 0.1 0.1 1 2
Bernie Harris 11 2.3 0.2 1 0.182 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.1 0 0.1 0 0.5

Awards and honors

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Transactions

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Prior to the season the team lost Bob Kauffman to the New Orleans Jazz in the May 20, 1974 NBA Expansion Draft.[44]

On August 29, 1974, the Braves purchased Dale Schlueter from the Atlanta Hawks.[45] 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.[46] Bernie Harris was waived on January 20, 1975.[47] Mike Macaluso did not return to play for the Braves and never played in the NBA again.[48]

The Braves were involved in the following transactions during the 1974–75 season.

Trades

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September 4, 1974 To Buffalo Braves
 To Chicago Bulls
  • Matt Goukas, a 1977 2nd round draft pick & a future 2nd round draft pick.
January 8, 1975 To Buffalo Braves
 To Atlanta Hawks
  • 1976 5th round pick

Free agents

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References

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  1. ^ "Jack Ramsay". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Buffalo Braves (1970–1978)
  3. ^ a b White, Gordon S. Jr. (March 21, 1975). "Donovan to Quit Braves April 1". The New York Times. p. 45. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  4. ^ "Donovan Quits, Braves Angry". The Milwaukee Journal. March 21, 1975. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  5. ^ Goldaper, Sam (March 22, 1975). "Donovan Resigns; Hearing Set On Charge Knicks Tampered; Hearing Set On Donovan And Knicks". The New York Times. p. S23. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  6. ^ Goldaper, Sam (March 20, 1975). "Holzman to Stay as Coach Under Braves' Chief; Donovan to Rejoin Knicks; Holzman to Stay as Coach". The New York Times. p. 53. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  7. ^ "Donovan dispute settled". St. Petersburg Times. July 1, 1975. Retrieved August 7, 2010. [dead link‍]
  8. ^ "1974 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  9. ^ "Aspiring To Higher Things: All-America, Rhodes scholar, NBA player, Tom McMillen is emulating Bill Bradley. Next, elective office". Sports Illustrated. April 5, 1982. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  10. ^ "Buffalo Braves May Get McMillen". Tri City Herald. May 23, 1975. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "1974-75 Buffalo Braves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Ernie DiGregorio". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Jim McMillian". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  14. ^ a b c "Gar Heard". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  15. ^ "1973-74 Buffalo Braves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  16. ^ "Winning Braves Defensive". St. Petersburg Times. December 29, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010. [dead link‍]
  17. ^ "Jack Marin". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  18. ^ "Randy Smith". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
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