1977–78 Washington Bullets season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Head coachDick Motta
General managerBob Ferry
Owner(s)Abe Pollin
ArenaCapital Centre
Results
Record44–38 (.537)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated SuperSonics 4–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWDCA–TV 20
(Jim Karvellas, Gus Johnson)
RadioWTOP–AM 1500
(Frank Herzog)

The 1977–78 NBA season was the team's 17th season in the NBA and their 5th season in the city of Washington, D.C.[1] It would prove to be their most successful season, as they would win their first and only NBA championship as of 2022. In the NBA Finals, they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games.

The Bullets got off to a slow start in the regular season, losing 6 of their first 10 games. On January 13, the Bullets beat the defending Champion Portland Trail Blazers to improve to 24–15, capping an 18–5 run over 23 games.[2] Injuries would begin to have an effect on the team as the Bullets struggled, as they would lose 13 of their next 18 games. Hovering a few games above .500 for the rest of the season, the Bullets managed to make the playoffs with a 44–38 record.[2] They hold the record for the lowest win total of any NBA Championship winning team. The 1968–69 Boston Celtics, 1974–75 Golden State Warriors, 1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers, and 1994–95 Houston Rockets are the only other NBA championship teams to have won below 50 games in non-lockout seasons since 1958; all of them won more than 44 games.

Offseason

NBA draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/HS/Club Team Notes
14 Greg BallardF United StatesOregonfrom Atlanta
17 Bo EllisF United StatesMarquette
239 Phil WalkerG United StatesMillersville
357 Steve PuidokasC United StatesWashington Statefrom Chicago
61 Jerry SchellenbergF United StatesWake Forest
483 David Reavis F United StatesGeorgia
5105 Bruce ParkinsonG United StatesPurdue
6127 Ernie WansleyC United StatesVirginia Tech
7147 Calvin BrownG United StatesAmerican
8166 Pat McKinleyF United StatesTowson State

Roster

1977–78 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
SF 42 Ballard, Greg 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1955-01-29 Oregon
SG 45 Chenier, Phil 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1950-10-30 California
SF 10 Dandridge, Bob 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1947-11-15 Norfolk State
SF 35 Grevey, Kevin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1953-05-12 Kentucky
PF 11 Hayes, Elvin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1945-11-17 Houston
PG 14 Henderson, Tom 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1952-01-26 Hawaiʻi
SG 15 Johnson, Charles 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1949-03-31 California
PF 25 Kupchak, Mitch 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1954-05-24 North Carolina
C 44 Pace, Joe 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1953-12-18 Coppin State
C 41 Unseld, Wes (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1946-03-14 Louisville
SG 20 Walker, Phil 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1956-03-120 Millersville
PG 32 Wright, Larry 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1954-11-23 Grambling State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 5230.634–32–920–2115–5
x-Washington Bullets 4438.537829–1215–2614–6
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 4339.524927–1416–259–11
x-Atlanta Hawks 4141.5001129–1212–298–12
New Orleans Jazz 3943.4761327–1412–298–12
Houston Rockets 2854.3412421-207-346–14
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Philadelphia 76ers5527.671–
2 y-San Antonio Spurs5230.6343
3 x-Washington Bullets4438.53711
4 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4339.52412
5 x-New York Knicks4339.52412
6 x-Atlanta Hawks4141.50014
7 New Orleans Jazz3943.47616
8 Boston Celtics3250.39023
9 Houston Rockets2854.34127
10 Buffalo Braves2755.32928
11 New Jersey Nets2458.29331

Regular season

Record vs. opponents

1977–78 NBA records
Team ATL BOS BUF CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NOJ NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SEA WAS
Atlanta —2–23–11–31–31–32–21–33–13–12–13–12–23–12–22–22–23–11–31–32–11–3
Boston 2–2—3–11–31–31–31–32–22–22–12–21–23–13–12–22–20–42–21–30–40–41–3
Buffalo 1–31–3—3–11–31–31–30–33–11–31–21–31–32–22–23–11–30–41–31–31–31–3
Chicago 3–13–11–3—3–12–22–21–33–13–10–42–21–31–22–21–33–02–21–32–22–22–1
Cleveland 3–13–13–11–3—3–12–22–22–22–12–22–23–13–12–23–11–31–20–40–43–12–2
Denver 3–13–13–12–21–3—2–22–23–02–22–23–13–13–13–11–31–32–23–12–11–33–1
Detroit 2–23–13–12–22–22–2—2–23–11–31–32–22–23–13–00–40–42–21–31–31–32–2
Golden State 3–12–23–03–12–22–22–2—2–13–13–10–42–23–10–42–21–32–21–33–12–22–2
Houston 1–32–21–31–32–20–31–31–2—3–12–21–31–32–21–32–22–21–32–21–30–41–3
Indiana 1–31–23–11–31–22–23–11–31–3—2–21–30–42–22–21–32–21–31–31–31–33–1
Kansas City 1–22–22–14–02–22–23–11–32–22–2—2–20–42–22–20–41–30–40–40–41–32–2
Los Angeles 1–32–13–12–22–21–32–24–03–13–12–2—3–14–02–13–12–21–30–42–21–32–2
Milwaukee 2–21–33–13–11–31–32–22–23–14–04–01–3—3–12–13–11–21–31–32–21–33–1
New Jersey 1–31–32–22–11–31–31–31–32–22–22–20–41–3—0–41–30–42–20–30–42–22–2
New Orleans 2–22–22–22–22–21–31–34–03–12–22–21–21–24–0—1–32–21–33–11–32–20–4
New York 2–22–21–33–11–33–13–02–22–23–14–01–31–33–13–1—1–31–31–32–22–12–2
Philadelphia 2–24–03–11–33–13–14–03–12–22–23–12–22–14–02–23–1—2–12–23–13–12–2
Phoenix 1–32–24–02–22–12–22–22–23–13–14–03–13–12–23–13–11–2—1–32–22–22–2
Portland 3–13–13–13–14–01–33–13–12–23–14–04–03–13–11–33–02–23–1—2–23–12–1
San Antonio 3–14–03–12–24–01–22–11–33–13–14–02–22–24–03–12–21–32–22–2—2–22–2
Seattle 1–24–03–12–21–33–13–12–24–03–13–13–13–12–22–11–31–32–21–32–2—1–3
Washington 3–13–13–11–22–21–32–22–23–11–32–22–21–32–24–02–22–22–21–22–23–1—

Game log

Pre season

Regular season

1977–78 game log
Total: 44–38 (home: 22–19; road: 21–20)
October: 1–3 (home: 1–0; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 21, 1977
8:05 p.m. EDT		 Detroit W 117–109 Kupchak (29) Dandridge,
Unseld (9)		 Henderson (12) Capital Centre
13,276		 1–0
2 October 22, 1977
8:05 p.m. EDT		 @ New York L 115–141 Hayes (26) Hayes (14) Henderson,
Unseld,
Wright (4)		 Madison Square Garden
15,261		 1–1
3 October 28, 1977
8:05 p.m. EDT		 @ Indiana L 127–136 Wright (43) Unseld (15) Henderson (9) Market Square Arena
12,542		 1–2
4 October 29, 1977
8:35 p.m. EDT		 @ Kansas City L 106–120 Wright (19) Unseld (11) Chenier,
Henderson,
Wright (5)		 Kemper Arena
9,220		 1–3
November: 9–4 (home: 6–2; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
5 November 4, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Phoenix W 113–96 Dandridge (24) Hayes (14) Henderson (10) Capital Centre
8,742		 2–3
6 November 5, 1977
9:05 p.m. EST		 @ Houston L 105–116 Wright (20) Dandridge,
Unseld (9)		 Henderson,
Unseld,
Wright (3)		 The Summit
9,449		 2–4
7 November 6, 1977
8:35 p.m. EST		 @ New Orleans W 108–97 Dandridge,
Hayes (21)		 Hayes (20) Wright (4) Louisiana Superdome
26,474		 3–4
8 November 10, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Milwaukee L 103–106 Dandridge (25) Hayes (13) Unseld,
Wright (6)		 Capital Centre
7,139		 3–5
9 November 12, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Philadelphia W 116–98 Dandridge (28) Hayes (16) Wright (10) Capital Centre
18,355		 4–5
10 November 13, 1977
7:05 p.m. EST		 @ Detroit L 102–104 Hayes (29) Hayes (16) Henderson (8) Cobo Arena
5,149		 4–6
11 November 15, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Seattle W 111–109 Hayes (22) Hayes (14) Unseld (6) Capital Centre
5,593		 5–6
12 November 18, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 New York W 123–103 Hayes (27) Hayes (12) Henderson (9) Capital Centre
17,242		 6–6
13 November 19, 1977
8:35 p.m. EST		 @ Kansas City
(at Omaha, Nebraska)		 W 131–125 (OT) Kupchak (32) Dandridge (12) Henderson (7) Omaha Civic Auditorium
6,534		 7–6
14 November 21, 1977
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Buffalo W 114–97 Kupchak (21) Dandridge (14) Henderson (7) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,125		 8–6
15 November 22, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Denver L 114–119 Dandridge (29) Hayes (12) Wright (7) Capital Centre
8,363		 8–7
16 November 26, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Houston W 93–91 Hayes (24) Pace (10) Dandridge (7) Capital Centre
18,387		 9–7
17 November 30, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 San Antonio W 116–105 Kupchak (26) Unseld (15) Unseld (10) Capital Centre
7,092		 10–7
December: 10–6 (home: 6–1; road: 4–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
18 December 2, 1977
9:05 p.m. EST		 @ Milwaukee W 108–95 Hayes (29) Hayes (19) Henderson (11) MECCA Arena
10,938		 11–7
19 December 3, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Boston W 103–93 Dandridge (21) Kupchak (12) Dandridge (8) Capital Centre
18,424		 12–7
20 December 4, 1977
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Cleveland W 100–94 Chenier (28) Hayes (16) Henderson (6) Richfield Coliseum
9,765		 13–7
21 December 6, 1977
8:30 p.m. EST		 @ Chicago L 108–116 Chenier,
Hayes (22)		 Unseld (12) Dandridge,
Unseld (5)		 Chicago Stadium
10,093		 13–8
22 December 7, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Cleveland W 96–95 Dandridge (21) Unseld (20) Henderson (5) Capital Centre
7,627		 14–8
23 December 9, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 New Orleans W 101–97 Henderson (22) Unseld (16) Henderson (9) Capital Centre
10,292		 15–8
24 December 11, 1977
7:35 p.m. EST		 New Jersey L 95–106 Hayes (27) Hayes (20) Dandridge,
Henderson,
Unseld,
Wright (4)		 Capital Centre
5,774		 15–9
25 December 13, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Golden State W 102–96 Chenier (25) Hayes (17) Henderson (6) Capital Centre
8,693		 16–9
26 December 16, 1977
9:35 p.m. EST		 @ Denver W 117–112 (OT) Hayes (33) Hayes (20) Dandridge (10) McNichols Sports Arena
15,922		 17–9
27 December 17, 1977
11:00 p.m. EST		 @ Portland L 104–117 Dandridge (17) Hayes (10) Wright (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,666		 17–10
28 December 18, 1977
10:00 p.m. EST		 @ Seattle L 109–111 (OT) Henderson (24) Unseld (13) Hayes (5) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,563		 17–11
29 December 20, 1977
11:00 p.m. EST		 @ Los Angeles L 115–120 Kupchak (23) Kupchak (10) Wright (9) The Forum
13,475		 17–12
30 December 25, 1977
7:35 p.m. EST		 Atlanta W 100–93 Dandridge (24) Unseld (14) Henderson (9) Capital Centre
8,358		 18–12
31 December 26, 1977
8:10 p.m. EST		 @ Atlanta W 113–106 Henderson (21) Hayes (13) Henderson (8) The Omni
8,321		 19–12
32 December 28, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 Buffalo W 106–87 Hayes (18) Unseld (15) Hayes,
Unseld,
Wright (4)		 Capital Centre
11,394		 20–12
33 December 30, 1977
8:05 p.m. EST		 @ Philadelphia L 119–126 Kupchak (22) Unseld (14) Dandridge (8) The Spectrum
18,276		 20–13
January: 6–8 (home: 5–2; road: 1–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
34 January 3, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Denver L 100–101 Chenier (23) Hayes (18) Henderson (7) Capital Centre
9,457		 20–14
35 January 6, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Indiana W 146–114 Dandridge (29) Hayes,
Unseld (10)		 Dandridge (8) Capital Centre
9,215		 21–14
36 January 8, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 @ New Jersey W 99–98 Dandridge (20) Hayes (16) Henderson,
Unseld (6)		 Rutgers Athletic Center
4,196		 22–14
37 January 10, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Kansas City W 123–115 Hayes (27) Ballard (13) Henderson (11) Capital Centre
7,700		 23–14
38 January 11, 1978
8:10 p.m. EST		 @ Atlanta
(at Charlotte, North Carolina)		 L 95–100 Hayes (24) Ballard,
Hayes (14)		 Henderson (6) Charlotte Coliseum
2,162		 23–15
39 January 13, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Portland W 102–93 Dandridge (22) Hayes (13) Henderson (6) Capital Centre
17,610		 24–15
40 January 14, 1978
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Buffalo L 93–130 Dandridge (22) Hayes,
Unseld (9)		 Unseld (4) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
5,036		 24–16
41 January 18, 1978
10:30 p.m. EST		 @ Golden State L 106–113 Dandridge (25) Unseld (14) Wright (9) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 24–17
42 January 20, 1978
11:00 p.m. EST		 @ Los Angeles L 99–121 Walker (23) Kupchak (9) Wright (6) The Forum
13,064		 24–18
43 January 22, 1978
6:45 p.m. EST		 @ Phoenix L 101–114 Hayes (26) Hayes (19) Unseld (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 24–19
44 January 24, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Detroit L 101–104 Grevey (24) Hayes (16) Unseld,
Wright (4)		 Capital Centre
6,717		 24–20
45 January 26, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Chicago W 135–107 Dandridge (37) Hayes (10) Wright (11) Capital Centre
7,442		 25–20
46 January 29, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 Los Angeles W 119–112 Dandridge (29) Hayes (19) Wright (6) Capital Centre
17,779		 26–20
47 January 31, 1978
8:30 p.m. EST		 @ San Antonio L 109–129 Hayes (21) Hayes (14) Wright (6) HemisFair Arena
9,000		 26–21
February: 5–8 (home: 4–1; road: 1–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
48 February 2, 1978
8:00 p.m. EST		 @ Cleveland L 93–110 Dandridge (25) Hayes (13) Wright (6) Richfield Coliseum
7,553		 26–22
49 February 3, 1978
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Boston L 94–116 Grevey (25) Hayes (18) Unseld (4) Boston Garden
12,206		 26–23
All-Star Break
50 February 7, 1978
10:30 p.m. EST		 @ Golden State L 102–105 Hayes (25) Unseld (18) Henderson (8) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,935		 26–24
51 February 8, 1978
11:00 p.m. EST		 @ Seattle W 106–100 Hayes (25) Hayes (21) Wright (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,126		 27–24
52 February 12, 1978
6:45 p.m. EST		 @ Phoenix L 109–121 Hayes (34) Hayes (16) Henderson (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,467		 27–25
53 February 14, 1978
9:35 p.m. EST		 @ Denver L 98–103 Grevey (24) Unseld (18) Dandridge,
Henderson (6)		 McNichols Sports Arena
15,636		 27–26
54 February 16, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Buffalo W 123–109 Hayes (25) Unseld (17) Dandridge (7) Capital Centre
6,857		 28–26
55 February 17, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 @ Indiana L 111–123 Hayes (26) Unseld (21) Henderson,
Unseld (5)		 Market Square Arena
10,637		 28–27
56 February 19, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 New Orleans W 130–111 Hayes (31) Unseld (17) Unseld,
Wright (8)		 Capital Centre
16,505		 29–27
57 February 22, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Portland L 97–105 Hayes (26) Unseld (12) Henderson (9) Capital Centre
11,554		 29–28
58 February 24, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Phoenix W 121–120 (OT) Hayes (23) Unseld (24) Henderson (10) Capital Centre
12,432		 30–28
59 February 26, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 Golden State W 121–110 Hayes (37) Hayes (18) Unseld (7) Capital Centre
13,814		 31–28
60 February 28, 1978
9:05 p.m. EST		 @ Milwaukee L 135–136 (OT) Johnson (25) Unseld (27) Henderson (7) MECCA Arena
10,938		 31–29
March: 10–7 (home: 5–5; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
61 March 1, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 San Antonio W 125–110 Grevey (29) Hayes (21) Henderson (11) Capital Centre
8,425		 32–29
62 March 3, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 @ Detroit W 124–108 Grevey (32) Hayes (27) Henderson (7) Cobo Arena
5,033		 33–29
63 March 5, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 Houston W 106–88 Dandridge (26) Hayes (15) Henderson (7) Capital Centre
14,344		 34–29
64 March 10, 1978
9:05 p.m. EST		 @ Houston W 117–114 Grevey (43) Unseld (18) Henderson (8) The Summit
7,506		 35–29
65 March 11, 1978
8:30 p.m. EST		 @ San Antonio L 101–116 Grevey (28) Hayes (13) Henderson (7) HemisFair Arena
9,465		 35–30
66 March 14, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Seattle 120–115 Dandridge,
Hayes,
Kupchak (24)		 Hayes,
Unseld (10)		 Dandridge (7) Capital Centre
7,804		 36–30
67 March 16, 1978
8:30 p.m. EST		 @ Chicago L 107–111 Dandridge (23) Hayes (8) Grevey (7) Chicago Stadium
11,972		 36–31
68 March 17, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Indiana L 99–105 Kupchak (30) Hayes,
Unseld (17)		 Hayes (5) Capital Centre
8,196		 36–32
69 March 19, 1978
7:35 p.m. EST		 Milwaukee L 106–117 Hayes (32) Hayes,
Unseld (13)		 Grevey (7) Capital Centre
9,492		 36–33
70 March 21, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Boston W 119–107 Hayes (34) Unseld (11) Unseld (7) Capital Centre
17,252		 37–33
71 March 22, 1978
8:35 p.m. EST		 @ New Orleans W 124–109 Grevey (30) Hayes (16) Dandridge (7) Louisiana Superdome
13,143		 38–33
72 March 24, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 @ New Jersey W 107–104 Dandridge (30) Hayes (16) Hendersonn (9) Rutgers Athletic Center
5,833		 39–33
73 March 25, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Atlanta W 98–95 Dandridge (18) Hayes (15) Henderson (5) Capital Centre
8,190		 40–33
74 March 26, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 New Jersey L 104–118 Grevey,
Hayes,
Kupchak (25)		 Unseld (24) Henderson (7) Capital Centre
5,750		 40–34
75 March 29, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Kansas City L 105–108 (OT) Grevey (30) Hayes (21) Unseld (10) Capital Centre
6,717		 40–35
76 March 30, 1978
8:35 p.m. EST		 @ New York W 123–108 Dandridge (28) Hayes (22) Dandridge,
Unseld,
Wright (4)		 Madison Square Garden
12,702		 41–35
77 March 31, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Cleveland L 101–102 Hayes (26) Hayes (12) Unseld (9) Capital Centre
8,660		 41–36
April: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
78 April 2, 1978
1:45 p.m. EST		 New York L 109–114 Kupchak (30) Johnson (9) Johnson (4) Capital Centre
7,193		 41–37
79 April 5, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Los Angeles W 125–119 Unseld (25) Hayes (17) Henderson,
Unseld (7)		 Capital Centre
14,671		 42–37
80 April 6, 1978
7:30 p.m. EST		 @ Boston
(at Providence, Rhode Island)		 W 112–103 Hayes (21) Ballard,
Unseld (16)		 Ballard,
Wright (6)		 Providence Civic Center
10,755		 43–37
81 April 8, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 @ Philadelphia L 114–131 Kupchak (31) Kupchak (14) Grevey,
Hayes,
Johnson,
Kupchak,
Unseld (3)		 The Spectrum
14,711		 43–38
82 April 9, 1978
1:30 p.m. EST		 Philadelphia W 123–113 Johnson (29) Unseld (16) Walker (7) Capital Centre
17,952		 44–38
1977–78 schedule

Playoffs

1978 playoff game log
Total: 14–7 (Home: 9–1; Road: 5–6)
Eastern Conference First Round: 2–0 (home: 1–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 12, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 Atlanta W 103–94 Dandridge (20) Unseld (15) Unseld (7) Capital Centre
9,326		 1–0
2 April 14, 1978
8:10 p.m. EST		 @ Atlanta W 107–103 (OT) Grevey (41) Unseld (15) Henderson (5) The Omni
15,601		 2–0
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 16, 1978
1:30 p.m. EST		 @ San Antonio L 103–114 Hayes (26) Hayes (15) Hayes (6) HemisFair Arena
9,669		 0–1
2 April 18, 1978
8:30 p.m. EST		 @ San Antonio W 121–117 Grevey (31) Unseld (13) Wright (8) HemisFair Arena
9,871		 1–1
3 April 21, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 San Antonio W 118–105 Dandridge (28) Hayes (12) Unseld (8) Capital Centre
17,417		 2–1
4 April 23, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 San Antonio W 98–95 Dandridge (24) Hayes (13) Dandridge (8) Capital Centre
13,459		 3–1
5 April 25, 1978
8:30 p.m. EST		 @ San Antonio L 105–116 Johnson (21) Hayes (13) Unseld (6) HemisFair Arena
9,709		 3–2
6 April 28, 1978
8:05 p.m. EST		 San Antonio W 103–100 Hayes (25) Unseld (16) Unsled (5) Capital Centre
19,035		 4–2
Eastern Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 30, 1978
1:30 p.m. EDT		 @ Philadelphia W 122–117 (OT) Hayes (28) Hayes (18) Henderson (9) The Spectrum
13,708		 1–0
2 May 3, 1978
8:05 p.m. EDT		 @ Philadelphia L 104–110 Hayes (26) Hayes (15) Henderson,
Wright (8)		 The Spectrum
18,276		 1–1
3 May 5, 1978
8:05 p.m. EDT		 Philadelphia W 123–108 Dandridge (30) Hayes (12) Dandridge (7) Capital Centre
19,035		 2–1
4 May 7, 1978
1:30 p.m. EDT		 Philadelphia W 121–105 Hayes (35) Hayes (19) Dandridge,
Kevin Grevey,
Johnson,
Wright (6)		 Capital Centre
19,035		 3–1
5 May 10, 1978
8:05 p.m. EDT		 @ Philadelphia L 94–107 Wright (18) Hayes,
Unseld (16)		 Unseld (5) The Spectrum
18,276		 3–2
6 May 12, 1978
8:05 p.m. EDT		 Philadelphia W 101–99 Dandridge (28) Unseld (15) Henderson (6) Capital Centre
19,035		 4–2
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 21, 1978
3:00 p.m. EDT		 @ Seattle L 102–106 Grevey (27) Hayes (9) Henderson (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		 0–1
2 May 25, 1978
9:00 p.m. EDT		 Seattle W 106–98 Dandridge (34) Unseld (15) Henderson,
Unseld (5)		 Capital Centre
19,035		 1–1
3 May 28, 1978
1:30 p.m. EDT		 Seattle L 92–93 Hayes (29) Hayes (20) Dandridge (6) Capital Centre
19,035		 1–2
4 May 30, 1978
9:00 p.m. EDT		 @ Seattle W 120–116 (OT) Dandridge (23) Hayes (13) Henderson (11) Kingdome
39,457		 2–2
5 June 2, 1978
9:00 p.m. EDT		 @ Seattle L 94–98 Grevey (22) Dandridge (10) Henderson (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		 2–3
6 June 4, 1978
1:30 p.m. EDT		 Seattle W 117–82 Hayes (21) Hayes (15) Ballard (6) Capital Centre
19,035		 3–3
7 June 7, 1978
9:00 p.m. EDT		 @ Seattle W 105–99 Dandridge,
Johnson (19)		 Unseld (9) Unseld (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		 4–3
1978 schedule

Game officials

Pre season

Regular season

Game Date Opponent Officials
1 10–21–1977 Detroit N/A
2 10–22–1977 @ New York N/A
3 10–28–1977 @ Indiana No. 29 Mike Mathis and No. 15 Bob Rakel
4 10–29–1977 @ Kansas City N/A
5 11–4–1977 Phoenix N/A
6 11–5–1977 @ Houston N/A
7 11–6–1977 @ New Orleans N/A
8 11–10–1977 Milwaukee N/A
9 11–12–1977 Philadelphia No. 10 Darell Garretson and No. 43 Wally Rooney
10 11–13–1977 @ Detroit N/A
11 11–15–1977 Seattle N/A
12 11–18–1977 New York N/A
13 11–19–1977 @ Kansas City N/A
14 11–21–1977 @ Buffalo No. 28 Tommy Nunez and No. 17 Ed Rush
15 11–22–1977 Denver N/A
16 11–26–1977 Houston N/A
17 11–30–1977 San Antonio N/A
18 12–2–1977 @ Milwaukee N/A
19 12–3–1977 Boston N/A
20 12–4–1977 @ Cleveland No. 18 Ed Middleton and No. 26 Richie Powers
21 12–6–1977 @ Chicago No. 20 Jess Kersey and No. 14 Jack Madden
22 12–7–1977 Cleveland No. 11 Jake O'Donnell and No. 21 Mel Whitworth
23 12–9–1977 New Orleans N/A
24 12–11–1977 New Jersey N/A
25 12–13–1977 Golden State No. 28 Tommy Nunez and No. 17 Ed Rush
26 12–16–1977 @ Denver N/A
27 12–17–1977 @ Portland No. 7 Joe Gushue and No. 24 Bill Saar
28 12–18–1977 @ Seattle No. 44 Bernie Fryer and No. 12 Earl Strom
29 12–20–1977 @ Los Angeles N/A
30 12–25–1977 Atlanta N/A
31 12–26–1977 @ Atlanta N/A
32 12–28–1977 Buffalo No. 18 Ed Middleton and No. 6 Don Murphy
33 12–30–1977 @ Philadelphia No. 27 Dick Bavetta and No. 11 Jake O'Donnell
34 1–3–1978 Denver N/A
35 1–6–1978 Indiana No. 7 Joe Gushue and No. 42 Hue Hollins
36 1–8–1978 @ New Jersey N/A
37 1–10–1978 Kansas City N/A
38 1–11–1978 @ Atlanta N/A
39 1–13–1978 Portland No. 25 Hugh Evans and No. 12 Earl Strom
40 1–14–1978 @ Buffalo No. 33 Joe Crawford and No. 10 Darell Garretson
41 1–18–1978 @ Golden State No. 27 Dick Bavetta and No. 19 Jim Capers
42 1–20–1978 @ Los Angeles N/A
43 1–22–1978 @ Phoenix No. 18 Ed Middleton and No. 9 John Vanak
44 1–24–1978 Detroit N/A
45 1–26–1978 Chicago No. 18 Ed Middleton and No. 43 Wally Rooney
46 1–29–1978 Los Angeles N/A
47 1–31–1978 @ San Antonio N/A
48 2–2–1978 @ Cleveland No. 11 Jake O'Donnell and No. 43 Wally Rooney
49 2–3–1978 @ Boston N/A
50 2–7–1978 @ Golden State No. 42 Hue Hollins and No. 15 Bob Rakel
51 2–8–1978 @ Seattle No. 6 Don Murphy and No. 21 Mel Whitworth
52 2–12–1978 @ Phoenix N/A
53 2–14–1978 @ Denver N/A
54 2–16–1978 Buffalo No. 20 Jess Kersey and No. 9 John Vanak
55 2–17–1978 @ Indiana No. 44 Bernie Fryer and No. 17 Ed Rush
56 2–19–1978 New Orleans N/A
57 2–22–1978 Portland No. 14 Jack Madden and No. 28 Tommy Nunez
58 2–24–1978 Phoenix N/A
59 2–26–1978 Golden State N/A
60 2–28–1978 @ Milwaukee N/A
61 3–1–1978 San Antonio N/A
62 3–3–1978 @ Detroit N/A
63 3–5–1978 Houston N/A
64 3–10–1978 @ Houston N/A
65 3–11–1978 @ San Antonio N/A
66 3–14–1978 Seattle N/A
67 3–16–1978 @ Chicago No. 28 Tommy Nunez and No. 9 John Vanak
68 3–17–1978 Indiana No. 19 Jim Capers and No. 30 Lee Jones
69 3–19–1978 Milwaukee N/A
70 3–21–1978 Boston N/A
71 3–22–1978 @ New Orleans N/A
72 3–24–1978 @ New Jersey N/A
73 3–25–1978 Atlanta N/A
74 3–26–1978 New Jersey N/A
75 3–29–1978 Kansas City No. 27 Dick Bavetta and No. 15 Bob Rakel
76 3–30–1978 @ New York N/A
77 3–31–1978 Cleveland No. 19 Jim Capers and No. 12 Earl Strom
78 4–2–1978 New York N/A
79 4–5–1978 Los Angeles N/A
80 4–6–1978 @ Boston N/A
81 4–8–1978 @ Philadelphia No. 25 Hugh Evans and No. 6 Don Murphy
82 4–9–1978 Philadelphia No. 27 Dick Bavetta and No. 22 Paul Mihalak

Playoffs

Game Round Date Opponent Officials Alternate
1 Eastern Conference First Round 4–12–1978 Atlanta
2 Eastern Conference First Round 4–14–1978 @ Atlanta
1 Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–16–1978 @ San Antonio No. 6 Don Murphy and No. 9 John Vanak No. 20 Jess Kersey
2 Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–18–1978 @ San Antonio
3 Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–21–1978 San Antonio
4 Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–23–1978 San Antonio No. 11 Jake O'Donnell and No. 18 Ed Middleton No. 29 Mike Mathis
5 Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–25–1978 @ San Antonio
6 Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–28–1978 San Antonio
1 Eastern Conference Finals 4–30–1978 @ Philadelphia No. 12 Earl Strom and No. 25 Hugh Evans No. 30 Lee Jones
2 Eastern Conference Finals 5–3–1978 @ Philadelphia No. 14 Jack Madden and No. 17 Ed Rush
3 Eastern Conference Finals 5–5–1978 Philadelphia No. 7 Joe Gushue and No. 22 Paul Mihalak
4 Eastern Conference Finals 5–7–1978 Philadelphia No. 11 Jake O'Donnell and No. 19 Jim Capers
5 Eastern Conference Finals 5–10–1978 @ Philadelphia No. 10 Darell Garretson and No. 6 Don Murphy
6 Eastern Conference Finals 5–12–1978 Philadelphia No. 12 Earl Strom and No. 9 John Vanak
1 NBA Finals 5–21–1978 @ Seattle No. 10 Darell Garretson and No. 17 Ed Rush
2 NBA Finals 5–25–1978 Seattle No. 7 Joe Gushue and No. 11 Jake O'Donnell
3 NBA Finals 5–28–1978 Seattle No. 12 Earl Strom and No. 9 John Vanak
4 NBA Finals 5–30–1978 @ Seattle No. 14 Jack Madden and No. 6 Don Murphy
5 NBA Finals 6–2–1978 @ Seattle No. 7 Joe Gushue and No. 11 Jake O'Donnell
6 NBA Finals 6–4–1978 Seattle No. 10 Darell Garretson and No. 6 Don Murphy
7 NBA Finals 6–7–1978 @ Seattle No. 14 Jack Madden and No. 12 Earl Strom

Player stats

Regular season

Note: GP= Games played; GS= Games started; MP=Minutes played; FG=Field goals; FGA=Field goals attempted; FG%=Field goal percentage; FT=Free throws; FTA=Free throws attempted; FT%=Free throw percentage; ORB= Offensive rebounds; DRB= Defensive rebounds; TRB= Total rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average

Player GP GS MP FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK PTS AVG
Hayes8132466361409.451326514.635335740107514996159159819.7
Dandridge7527775601190.471330419.78813730544228710144145019.3
Kupchak671759393768.512280402.697162298460712842106615.9
Grevey8121215051128.448243308.7891241662901556117125315.5
Chenier36937200451.443109138.79015871027336950914.1
Henderson752315339784.432179240.74666127193406931585711.4
Wright701466283570.49676107.710317110226068156429.2
Johnson39807141346.4084251.824207393823113248.3
Unseld802644257491.52393173.53828666995532698456077.6
Ballard76936142334.42588114.7721021642666230133724.9
Walker4038457161.3546496.667213152541451784.5
Pace4943867140.4795793.61350841342312241913.9
Total 82 19830 3580 7772 .461 1887 2655 .711 1349 2815 4164 1948 668 386 9047 110.3

Playoffs

Note: GP= Games played; GS= Games started; MP=Minutes played; FG=Field goals; FGA=Field goals attempted; FG%=Field goal percentage; FT=Free throws; FTA=Free throws attempted; FT%=Free throw percentage; ORB= Offensive rebounds; DRB= Defensive rebounds; TRB= Total rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average

Player GP GS MP FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK PTS AVG
Hayes21868189385.49179133.59410317627943325245721.8
Dandridge19746172359.4795884.690358812374301440221.1
Grevey21584126284.4447390.8112536614211332515.5
Johnson2142593229.4062937.7842033534830021510.2
Kupchak2150484199.4224569.6524978127224321310.1
Henderson2159772173.4165879.7341730471062752029.6
Unseld1867771134.5302746.58772144216791771699.4
Wright2140276163.4661925.76072431671721718.1
Ballard192432163.3333241.7802752791893743.9
Pace952710.7001115.73351520116252.8
Walker41718.12545.80011220061.5
Total 21 5115 912 2007 435 583 361 677 1038 502 178 95 2259 114.1

NBA Finals

After being swept in their previous two trips to the NBA Finals (by Milwaukee in 1971 and Golden State in 1975), the Bullets lost Game 1 on the road against the Seattle SuperSonics, and a 19-point lead vanished in the process.[2] In Game 4, the Bullets rose to the occasion beating the Sonics 120–116 to even the series at 2 games apiece. After losing Game 5 in Seattle, the Bullets kept their hopes alive with a dominating 117–82 win at the Capital Centre.[2] Game 7 returned to Seattle and the Bullets were a heavy underdog. Kevin Grevey suffered a sprained wrist above his shooting hand, and Bob Dandridge was forced to see some action at guard. Dandridge would play strongly and scored 19 points to tie with Charles Johnson, who hit a half court shot at the end of the 3rd quarter, for the team high. Wes Unseld scored 15 points while pulling down 9 rebounds as the Bullets emerged with a 105–99 victory to win their first NBA Championship.[2]

Awards and honors

References

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