The 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers had a remarkable season, finishing with a 65-17 record. This success was largely attributed to the acquisition of Moses Malone, who joined forces with Julius Erving. Malone’s prediction of “Fo’, Fo’, Fo'” in the playoffs symbolized their dominance, although it ultimately took them just one extra game, going 12-1.
In the postseason, the Sixers swept the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games during the Eastern Conference Finals. The NBA Finals saw them face the Los Angeles Lakers, whom they swept in four games to capture the championship. Malone was named both the NBA regular season and Finals MVP. This team is remembered for its defensive prowess and depth, featuring key contributions from Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks, solidifying their legacy in NBA history.
- Regular Season Record: 65-17
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-0, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-1, NBA Finals: 4-0
Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats for 1982-83 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Moses Malone | 78 | 24.5 | 15.3 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 13 | 26.0 | 15.8 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
| Julius Erving | 72 | 21.4 | 6.8 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 33.4 | 13 | 18.4 | 7.6 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| Andrew Toney | 81 | 19.7 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 28.9 | 12 | 18.8 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Maurice Cheeks | 79 | 12.5 | 2.6 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 20.1 | 13 | 16.3 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 50.0 |
| Bobby Jones | 74 | 9.0 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 12 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Clint Richardson | 77 | 7.6 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 13 | 6.8 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Clemon Johnson | 32 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 12 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Franklin Edwards | 81 | 6.7 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 12 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Reggie Johnson | 29 | 5.5 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Russ Schoene | 46 | 5.1 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Marc Iavaroni | 80 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 13 | 5.2 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Earl Cureton | 73 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mark McNamara | 36 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| J.J. Anderson | 13 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Philadelphia 76ers in the 1983 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. New York Knicks
In the 1983 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers dominated the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, sweeping the series 4-0. Led by the formidable duo of Julius Erving and MVP Moses Malone, the Sixers showcased their championship-caliber defense and offensive prowess, setting the tone for their eventual title run. Their decisive performance underscored their dominance throughout the postseason.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | W 112-102 | |
| Apr 27, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | W 98-91 | |
| Apr 30, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | W 107-105 | |
| May 01, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | W 105-102 |
1983 Conference Championship vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In the 1983 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers dominated the Eastern Conference Finals by sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks in four games. With a formidable lineup led by Julius Erving and newly acquired MVP Moses Malone, the Sixers showcased their depth and resilience, earning a spot in the NBA Finals. This commanding performance was a key part of their journey to securing the championship that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 08, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-109 | |
| May 11, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 87-81 | |
| May 14, 1983 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 104-96 | |
| May 15, 1983 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 100-94 | |
| May 18, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 115-103 |
1983 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 1983 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-107 | |
| May 26, 1983 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 103-93 | |
| May 29, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 111-94 | |
| May 31, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 115-108 |
Philadelphia 76ers 1982-83 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1982-83 season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 1982 | @ New York Knicks | W 104-89 | |
| Oct 30, 1982 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 110-99 | |
| Nov 03, 1982 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 130-111 | |
| Nov 05, 1982 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 120-109 | |
| Nov 06, 1982 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 119-115 | |
| Nov 10, 1982 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 145-108 | |
| Nov 12, 1982 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 117-108 | |
| Nov 13, 1982 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 110-100 | |
| Nov 14, 1982 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 102-93 | |
| Nov 17, 1982 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 120-103 | |
| Nov 19, 1982 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 121-109 | |
| Nov 23, 1982 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 106-103 | |
| Nov 24, 1982 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 121-106 | |
| Nov 26, 1982 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 120-102 | |
| Nov 27, 1982 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 126-113 | |
| Nov 30, 1982 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 111-97 | |
| Dec 02, 1982 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 116-108 | |
| Dec 03, 1982 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 127-110 | |
| Dec 05, 1982 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-104 | |
| Dec 08, 1982 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 132-85 | |
| Dec 10, 1982 | @ Boston Celtics | L 123-97 | |
| Dec 11, 1982 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 128-111 | |
| Dec 15, 1982 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 99-93 | |
| Dec 17, 1982 | vs. New York Knicks | W 109-95 | |
| Dec 18, 1982 | @ Washington Bullets | L 100-97 | |
| Dec 21, 1982 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 122-105 | |
| Dec 26, 1982 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 124-122 | |
| Dec 28, 1982 | @ Houston Rockets | W 104-93 | |
| Dec 29, 1982 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 126-116 | |
| Jan 05, 1983 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 122-120 | |
| Jan 07, 1983 | @ Washington Bullets | W 106-89 | |
| Jan 08, 1983 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 125-113 | |
| Jan 11, 1983 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 109-99 | |
| Jan 12, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 122-121 | |
| Jan 14, 1983 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 115-105 | |
| Jan 15, 1983 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 114-105 | |
| Jan 18, 1983 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 98-90 | |
| Jan 19, 1983 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 126-106 | |
| Jan 21, 1983 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 130-117 | |
| Jan 23, 1983 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 107-96 | |
| Jan 25, 1983 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 116-99 | |
| Jan 26, 1983 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 113-102 | |
| Jan 28, 1983 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 114-99 | |
| Jan 29, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | W 126-109 | |
| Feb 01, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 133-124 | |
| Feb 03, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-111 | |
| Feb 04, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-109 | |
| Feb 06, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-96 | |
| Feb 09, 1983 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 106-93 | |
| Feb 10, 1983 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 116-110 | |
| Feb 16, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 116-95 | |
| Feb 18, 1983 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 127-98 | |
| Feb 20, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | W 104-89 | |
| Feb 23, 1983 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 133-101 | |
| Feb 25, 1983 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 116-111 | |
| Feb 27, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 115-104 | |
| Mar 01, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | W 106-94 | |
| Mar 04, 1983 | @ Boston Celtics | L 115-110 | |
| Mar 06, 1983 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 112-106 | |
| Mar 07, 1983 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 123-114 | |
| Mar 12, 1983 | @ Washington Bullets | W 95-86 | |
| Mar 13, 1983 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 97-93 | |
| Mar 15, 1983 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 132-128 | |
| Mar 16, 1983 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 105-100 | |
| Mar 19, 1983 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 105-97 | |
| Mar 20, 1983 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 121-119 | |
| Mar 22, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | L 89-76 | |
| Mar 23, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 104-101 | |
| Mar 25, 1983 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 101-92 | |
| Mar 27, 1983 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-80 | |
| Mar 29, 1983 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 97-95 | |
| Mar 30, 1983 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 120-113 | |
| Apr 01, 1983 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 111-104 | |
| Apr 03, 1983 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 96-84 | |
| Apr 05, 1983 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 116-108 | |
| Apr 06, 1983 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 112-109 | |
| Apr 08, 1983 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 126-118 | |
| Apr 10, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-97 | |
| Apr 12, 1983 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 102-97 | |
| Apr 13, 1983 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 95-76 | |
| Apr 15, 1983 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 100-98 | |
| Apr 17, 1983 | @ Boston Celtics | L 114-101 |