The 1970-71 season marked the inaugural campaign for the Buffalo Braves in the NBA. As one of three expansion teams that year, the Braves faced the typical struggles of a new franchise. Under head coach Dolph Schayes, the team finished with a record of 22-60, placing them seventh in the Eastern Division.
Despite the challenging season, standout performances came from players like Bob Kauffman, who led the team by averaging 20.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. The Braves also showcased rookie sensation and future Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, who made a significant impact with his versatile scoring ability.
The season laid the groundwork for the franchise, building a foundation for future development. While wins were scarce, the experience gained during this tough first year was invaluable for the young players and set the stage for future growth and competitiveness in subsequent seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 22-60
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Buffalo Braves Roster and Stats for 1970-71 Season
Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
Bob Kauffman | 78 | 20.4 | 10.2 | 4.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Don May | 76 | 20.2 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Dick Garrett | 75 | 12.9 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Mike Davis | 73 | 11.4 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
John Hummer | 81 | 11.3 | 8.5 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Herm Gilliam | 80 | 11.2 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Em Bryant | 73 | 10.0 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bill Hosket | 13 | 8.1 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cornell Warner | 65 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Freddie Crawford | 15 | 5.9 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
George Wilson | 45 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Paul Long | 30 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Nate Bowman | 44 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Mike Silliman | 36 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Mike Lynn | 5 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

Buffalo Braves 1970-71 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1970-71 season for the Buffalo Braves.
Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
---|---|---|---|
Oct 14, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 107-92 | |
Oct 17, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 102-93 | |
Oct 20, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 98-89 | |
Oct 24, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 114-95 | |
Oct 27, 1970 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-108 | |
Oct 30, 1970 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-90 | |
Oct 31, 1970 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 107-102 | |
Nov 02, 1970 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 110-102 | |
Nov 04, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 126-101 | |
Nov 05, 1970 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 121-109 | |
Nov 07, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 103-91 | |
Nov 11, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 134-118 | |
Nov 13, 1970 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-111 | |
Nov 14, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 116-107 | |
Nov 16, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 112-103 | |
Nov 17, 1970 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-101 | |
Nov 20, 1970 | @ San Francisco Warriors | L 123-108 | |
Nov 21, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 112-108 | |
Nov 24, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 112-106 | |
Nov 25, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 99-92 | |
Nov 27, 1970 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 121-104 | |
Nov 28, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 111-95 | |
Nov 30, 1970 | @ Boston Celtics | L 109-106 | |
Dec 01, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 117-116 | |
Dec 04, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 97-91 | |
Dec 05, 1970 | @ New York Knicks | L 117-93 | |
Dec 06, 1970 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 108-106 | |
Dec 08, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 122-102 | |
Dec 10, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 138-120 | |
Dec 11, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 120-105 | |
Dec 12, 1970 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 93-92 | |
Dec 13, 1970 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 110-91 | |
Dec 15, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 113-111 | |
Dec 17, 1970 | @ Boston Celtics | L 102-93 | |
Dec 18, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 113-94 | |
Dec 19, 1970 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 123-112 | |
Dec 20, 1970 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 131-101 | |
Dec 23, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 104-103 | |
Dec 25, 1970 | @ New York Knicks | L 115-102 | |
Dec 26, 1970 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 120-107 | |
Dec 29, 1970 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 124-113 | |
Dec 30, 1970 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 106-90 | |
Jan 02, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 115-103 | |
Jan 06, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 115-108 | |
Jan 08, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 110-102 | |
Jan 09, 1971 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 111-89 | |
Jan 10, 1971 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 141-113 | |
Jan 14, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 119-113 | |
Jan 15, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 99-97 | |
Jan 16, 1971 | @ Cincinnati Royals | L 114-113 | |
Jan 18, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 123-113 | |
Jan 19, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 111-79 | |
Jan 20, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 126-106 | |
Jan 22, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 101-94 | |
Jan 24, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 123-111 | |
Jan 25, 1971 | @ San Diego Rockets | L 114-106 | |
Jan 26, 1971 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 114-82 | |
Jan 28, 1971 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-110 | |
Jan 29, 1971 | @ San Francisco Warriors | L 106-100 | |
Jan 31, 1971 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 117-108 | |
Feb 02, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 101-91 | |
Feb 05, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 98-90 | |
Feb 10, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 106-99 | |
Feb 13, 1971 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-106 | |
Feb 14, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 108-97 | |
Feb 16, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 135-103 | |
Feb 17, 1971 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 118-114 | |
Feb 19, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 120-113 | |
Feb 20, 1971 | @ Cincinnati Royals | L 120-94 | |
Feb 22, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 109-91 | |
Feb 26, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 127-122 | |
Feb 27, 1971 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 134-117 | |
Mar 02, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 131-118 | |
Mar 04, 1971 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-113 | |
Mar 06, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 120-109 | |
Mar 08, 1971 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 114-98 | |
Mar 09, 1971 | @ San Diego Rockets | L 106-96 | |
Mar 12, 1971 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-109 | |
Mar 14, 1971 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 122-112 | |
Mar 16, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 113-102 | |
Mar 19, 1971 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 111-105 | |
Mar 20, 1971 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 132-129 |