1980–81 Philadelphia 76ers season

The 1980–81 Philadelphia 76ers season was the team's 32nd season in the NBA and 18th season in Philadelphia The team finished the regular season with a 62–20 record, however they lost the tie breaker with the Boston Celtics who had the home court advantage with the same regular season record. In the playoffs, they lost a seven-game series to the Boston Celtics, in the Eastern Conference finals, after having a three games to one series lead. This was the second time this occurred between the two teams (other in 1968), and the final 3 games of the series were decided by 5 points total. Julius Erving would win the Most Valuable Player of the League.

Season standings

 * z - clinched division title
 * y - clinched division title
 * x - clinched playoff spot

Regular season

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Playoffs

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 * March 31
 * Indiana
 * W 124–108
 * Julius Erving (32)
 * Caldwell Jones (12)
 * Andrew Toney (11)
 * Spectrum 7,288
 * 1–0
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 * April 2
 * @ Indiana
 * W 96–85
 * Julius Erving (23)
 * Caldwell Jones (11)
 * Maurice Cheeks (6)
 * Market Square Arena 8,921
 * 2–0


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 * 1
 * April 5
 * Milwaukee
 * W 125–122
 * Julius Erving 38)
 * Caldwell Jones 11)
 * Caldwell Jones 7)
 * Spectrum 9,727
 * 1–0
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 * April 7
 * Milwaukee
 * L 99–109
 * Bobby Jones (22)
 * Julius Erving (13)
 * Maurice Cheeks (6)
 * Spectrum 15,259
 * 1–1
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 * April 10
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 108–103
 * Erving, Dawkins (23)
 * Caldwell Jones (13)
 * Maurice Cheeks (9)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 2–1
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 * April 12
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 98–109
 * Julius Erving (22)
 * Caldwell Jones (8)
 * Maurice Cheeks (8)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 2–2
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 * April 15
 * Milwaukee
 * W 116–99
 * Cheeks, Hollins (20)
 * Julius Erving (9)
 * Maurice Cheeks (10)
 * Spectrum 15,384
 * 3–2
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 * April 17
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 86–109
 * Julius Erving (25)
 * Julius Erving (7)
 * Maurice Cheeks (7)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 3–3
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 * April 19
 * Milwaukee
 * W 99–98
 * Julius Erving (28)
 * Caldwell Jones (12)
 * Maurice Cheeks (11)
 * Spectrum 6,704
 * 4–3


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 * April 21
 * @ Boston
 * W 105–104
 * Andrew Toney (26)
 * Julius Erving (9)
 * Maurice Cheeks (8)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–0
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 * April 22
 * @ Boston
 * L 118–99
 * Andrew Toney (35)
 * Dawkins, Toney (7)
 * Andrew Toney (7)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–1
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 * 3
 * April 24
 * Boston
 * W 110–100
 * Julius Erving (22)
 * Caldwell Jones (14)
 * Maurice Cheeks (8)
 * Spectrum 18,276
 * 2–1
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 * 4
 * April 26
 * Boston
 * W 107–105
 * Julius Erving (20)
 * Caldwell Jones (10)
 * Maurice Cheeks (10)
 * Spectrum 18,276
 * 3–1
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 * April 29
 * @ Boston
 * L 109–111
 * Lionel Hollins (23)
 * Darryl Dawkins (8)
 * Erving, Hollins (5)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 3–2
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 * May 1
 * Boston
 * L 98–100
 * Darryl Dawkins (24)
 * Caldwell Jones (8)
 * Maurice Cheeks (8)
 * Spectrum 18,276
 * 3–3
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 * May 3
 * @ Boston
 * L 90–91
 * Julius Erving (23)
 * Caldwell Jones (15)
 * Maurice Cheeks (7)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 3–4

Awards and records

 * Julius Erving, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
 * Julius Erving, All-NBA First Team
 * Bobby Jones, NBA All-Defensive First Team
 * Caldwell Jones, NBA All-Defensive First Team