1974–75 Buffalo Braves season

2023–24 [[Buffalo Braves]] season
Head coach	Jack Ramsay
Arena	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Results
Place	Division: 2nd Conference: 3rd
Playoff finish	Lost 2nd Round

Despite losing 3 key players in Gar Heard, Jim McMillian and Ernie DiGregorio for long stretches, the Braves continued to improve. The Braves finished in 2nd place with a solid 49-33 record, as Bob McAdoo captured the league's MVP award. McAdoo led the league with 34.5 points per game, while adding 14.1 rebounds per game, which was 4th best in the league.

In the playoffs, the Braves would square off against the Washington Bullets. The series went to seven games, however, Game 7 would go in the Bullets favour as the Braves lost 115-96 on the road.

Regular season

Buffalo supplanted New York as Boston's most serious rival in the Atlantic foursome with 49 wins. Buffalo boasted high-scoring super star Bob McAdoo. The Big Mac posted a 34.5 scoring average to lead the NBA, 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. The 6'10 220-pounder was threatening enough to also earn 798 free throw tries, another league high, converting a solid 81%. The Braves lost sensation Ernie DiGregorio to knee injury, watched former Laker Jim McMillian battle illness, and also lost Gar Heard for 25 games, which dropped the team from the elite and put more of the load on their star. This dimmed hopes for the playoffs.

Season standings

Atlantic Division

Team	W	L	PCT.	GB
Boston Celtics	60	22	.732	-
Buffalo Braves	49	33	.598	11
New York Knicks	40	42	.488	20
Philadelphia 76ers	34	48	.415	26

Player stats

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

Player	GP	REB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	AVG

Awards and Honors

• Bob McAdoo, NBA Most Valuable Player
• Bob McAdoo, NBA Scoring Champion

References

• Braves on Database Basketball
• Braves on Basketball Reference