1970–71 Utah Stars season

1970–71 Utah Stars season
Head coachBill Sharman
ArenaSalt Palace
Results
Record57–27 (.679)
PlaceDivision: 2nd
Playoff finishWon ABA Championship
1971–72 >

The 1970–71 Utah Stars season was the first season for the Stars in Utah. After one season in Anaheim and two seasons in Los Angeles, the team moved to Utah in June 1970. The Stars finished second in the Western Division and won their first and only ABA title. In the Semifinals, the Stars swept the Texas Chaparrals in four games. In the Division Finals, they beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games (including Game 7 in Indiana) to advance to the ABA Finals. In seven games, they beat the Kentucky Colonels, to give the state of Utah its first pro championship.

Roster

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Bold indicates the player was on the final roster prior to the playoffs.

Season standings

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Team W L PCT. GB
Indiana Pacers 58 26 .690
Utah Stars 57 27 .679 1
Memphis Pros 41 43 .488 17
Denver Rockets 30 54 .357 28
Texas Chaparrals 30 54 .357 28

Playoffs

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Western Division Semifinals[1]

Game Date Location Score Record Attendance
1 April 2 Utah 125–115 1–0 4,375
2 April 3 Utah 137–107 2–0 6,061
3 April 4 Texas 113–101 3–0 4,674
4 April 6 Texas 128–107 4–0 3,666

Stars win series, 4–0

Division Finals[1]

Game Date Location Score Record Attendance
1 April 12 Indiana 120–118 1–0 7,734
2 April 14 Indiana 107–120 1–1 9,458
3 April 17 Utah 121–107 2–1 12,711
4 April 20 Utah 126–99 3–1 12,761
5 April 22 Indiana 109–127 3–2 8,279
6 April 24 Utah 102–105 3–3 13,208
7 April 28 Indiana 108–101 4–3 11,202

Stars win series, 4–3

ABA Finals[1]

Game Date Location Score Record Attendance
1 May 3 Utah 136–117 1–0 12,051
2 May 5 Utah 138–125 2–0 13,208
3 May 7 Kentucky 110–116 2–1 12,337
4 April 8 Kentucky 125–129 (OT) 2–2 9,863
5 May 12 Utah 137–127 3–2 13,260
6 May 15 Kentucky 102–105 3–3 11,793
7 May 18 Utah 131–121 4–3 13,260

Stars win series, 4–3

Zelmo Beaty scored 23.2 points per game and rebounded 14.6 rebounds per game, which earned him the Playoffs MVP.

Awards, records, and honors

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Remember the ABA: 1970-71 Regular Season Standings and Playoff Results". Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
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