1977–78 Washington Bullets season

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)
< 1976–77 1978–79 >

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 2024. 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

Main article: 1977 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/HS/Club Team Notes
1 4 Greg Ballard F  United States Oregon from Atlanta
17 Bo Ellis F  United States Marquette
2 39 Phil Walker G  United States Millersville
3 57 Steve Puidokas C  United States Washington State from Chicago
61 Jerry Schellenberg F  United States Wake Forest
4 83 David Reavis F  United States Georgia
5 105 Bruce Parkinson G  United States Purdue
6 127 Ernie Wansley C  United States Virginia Tech
7 147 Calvin Brown G  United States American
8 166 Pat McKinley F  United States Towson State

Roster

1977–78 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
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 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
  • (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 52 30 .634 – 32–9 20–21 15–5
x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 8 29–12 15–26 14–6
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 43 39 .524 9 27–14 16–25 9–11
x-Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 11 29–12 12–29 8–12
New Orleans Jazz 39 43 .476 13 27–14 12–29 8–12
Houston Rockets 28 54 .341 24 21-20 7-34 6–14
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Philadelphia 76ers 55 27 .671 –
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 52 30 .634 3
3 x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 11
4 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 43 39 .524 12
5 x-New York Knicks 43 39 .524 12
6 x-Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 14
7 New Orleans Jazz 39 43 .476 16
8 Boston Celtics 32 50 .390 23
9 Houston Rockets 28 54 .341 27
10 Buffalo Braves 27 55 .329 28
11 New Jersey Nets 24 58 .293 31

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 — 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–1 1–3
Boston 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–3
Buffalo 1–3 1–3 — 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–3 3–1 1–3 1–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3
Chicago 3–1 3–1 1–3 — 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–2 2–2 1–3 3–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–1
Cleveland 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 — 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 2–2
Denver 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 — 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–1 1–3 3–1
Detroit 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 — 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2
Golden State 3–1 2–2 3–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 — 2–1 3–1 3–1 0–4 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2
Houston 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–3 1–3 1–2 — 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3
Indiana 1–3 1–2 3–1 1–3 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 — 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 3–1
Kansas City 1–2 2–2 2–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 — 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–2
Los Angeles 1–3 2–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 — 3–1 4–0 2–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–2
Milwaukee 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–0 4–0 1–3 — 3–1 2–1 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1
New Jersey 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 — 0–4 1–3 0–4 2–2 0–3 0–4 2–2 2–2
New Orleans 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–2 1–2 4–0 — 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–3 2–2 0–4
New York 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 3–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 — 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–1 2–2
Philadelphia 2–2 4–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–1 4–0 2–2 3–1 — 2–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2
Phoenix 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–2 — 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2
Portland 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 3–0 2–2 3–1 — 2–2 3–1 2–1
San Antonio 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 1–2 2–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 — 2–2 2–2
Seattle 1–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 — 1–3
Washington 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 2–2 3–1 —

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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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

See also: 1978 NBA 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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
Hayes 81 3246 636 1409 .451 326 514 .635 335 740 1075 149 96 159 1598 19.7
Dandridge 75 2777 560 1190 .471 330 419 .788 137 305 442 287 101 44 1450 19.3
Kupchak 67 1759 393 768 .512 280 402 .697 162 298 460 71 28 42 1066 15.9
Grevey 81 2121 505 1128 .448 243 308 .789 124 166 290 155 61 17 1253 15.5
Chenier 36 937 200 451 .443 109 138 .790 15 87 102 73 36 9 509 14.1
Henderson 75 2315 339 784 .432 179 240 .746 66 127 193 406 93 15 857 11.4
Wright 70 1466 283 570 .496 76 107 .710 31 71 102 260 68 15 642 9.2
Johnson 39 807 141 346 .408 42 51 .824 20 73 93 82 31 1 324 8.3
Unseld 80 2644 257 491 .523 93 173 .538 286 669 955 326 98 45 607 7.6
Ballard 76 936 142 334 .425 88 114 .772 102 164 266 62 30 13 372 4.9
Walker 40 384 57 161 .354 64 96 .667 21 31 52 54 14 5 178 4.5
Pace 49 438 67 140 .479 57 93 .613 50 84 134 23 12 24 191 3.9
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
Hayes 21 868 189 385 .491 79 133 .594 103 176 279 43 32 52 457 21.8
Dandridge 19 746 172 359 .479 58 84 .690 35 88 123 74 30 14 402 21.1
Grevey 21 584 126 284 .444 73 90 .811 25 36 61 42 11 3 325 15.5
Johnson 21 425 93 229 .406 29 37 .784 20 33 53 48 30 0 215 10.2
Kupchak 21 504 84 199 .422 45 69 .652 49 78 127 22 4 3 213 10.1
Henderson 21 597 72 173 .416 58 79 .734 17 30 47 106 27 5 202 9.6
Unseld 18 677 71 134 .530 27 46 .587 72 144 216 79 17 7 169 9.4
Wright 21 402 76 163 .466 19 25 .760 7 24 31 67 17 2 171 8.1
Ballard 19 243 21 63 .333 32 41 .780 27 52 79 18 9 3 74 3.9
Pace 9 52 7 10 .700 11 15 .733 5 15 20 1 1 6 25 2.8
Walker 4 17 1 8 .125 4 5 .800 1 1 2 2 0 0 6 1.5
Total 21 5115 912 2007 435 583 361 677 1038 502 178 95 2259 114.1

NBA Finals

Main article: 1978 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

  1. ^ 1977-78 Washington Bullets
  2. ^ a b c d e Washington Wizards (1963–Present)