1969–70 ABA season

The 1969–70 ABA season was the third season of the American Basketball Association. Prior to the start of the season, the Minnesota Pipers moved back to Pittsburgh, the Oakland Oaks moved to Washington, D.C., and became the Washington Caps and the Houston Mavericks moved to North Carolina and became the Carolina Cougars. For the regular-season, the schedule was increased from 78 to 84 games per team. The season ended with the Indiana Pacers capturing their first ABA Championship.

1969–70 ABA season
LeagueAmerican Basketball Association
SportBasketball
DurationOctober 17, 1969 – May 25, 1970
Number of games84
Number of teams11
Regular season
Top seedIndiana Pacers
Season MVPSpencer Haywood (Denver)
Top scorerSpencer Haywood (Denver)
Finals
ChampionsIndiana Pacers
  Runners-upLos Angeles Stars

Spencer Haywood, a rookie from the University of Detroit, led the ABA in scoring (30.0 ppg) and rebounding (19.5 rpg) for the Denver Rockets. Haywood was professional basketball's first "hardship case", leaving college after his sophomore season. The NBA prohibited him from declaring for its draft, and he signed with the Rockets instead, leading them to the Western Division championship.

Final standings

Eastern Division

Eastern Division W L PCT GB
Indiana Pacers *5925.702 -
Kentucky Colonels *4539.53614.0
Carolina Cougars *4242.50017.0
New York Nets *3945.46420.0
Pittsburgh Pipers2955.34530.0
Miami Floridians2361.27436.0

Western Division

Western Division W L PCT GB
Denver Rockets *5133.607 -
Dallas Chaparrals *4539.5366.0
Washington Caps *4440.5247.0
Los Angeles Stars *4341.5128.0
New Orleans Buccaneers4242.5009.0

Asterisk (*) denotes playoff team

Bold – ABA Champions

Playoffs

Awards and honors

Spencer Haywood (Denver) was named ABA MVP and ROTY
Mel Daniels (right) was named All-ABA First Team

Finals

References

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