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1981–82 Washington Bullets season

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NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season
1981–82 Washington Bullets season
Head coachGene Shue
General managerBob Ferry
Owner(s)Abe Pollin
ArenaCapital Centre
Results
Record43–39 (.524)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 5th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Celtics 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWDCA
RadioWTOP
< 1980–81 1982–83 >

The 1981–82 NBA season was the Bullets’ 21st season in the NBA and their ninth in the city of Washington, D.C. This for first since 1967–68 season Wes Unseld was not on the opening day roster. The Bullets finished 43–39 and won their first playoff round against the New Jersey Nets. They lost the semifinals to a powerful Boston Celtic outfit and their Nets win would prove their last playoff series win until 2004–05 against the Chicago Bulls.

Draft picks

Main article: 1981 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 11 Frank Johnson PG  United States Wake Forest
2 35 Charles Davis SF  United States Vanderbilt
2 41 Claude Gregory PF  United States Wisconsin
2 44 Steve Lingenfelter PF  United States South Dakota State
3 48 Mike Ferrara  United States Colgate
4 79 Ron Davis  United States Arizona
5 103 Garry Witts  United States Holy Cross
6 125 Robert Williams  United States Grambling State
7 149 Randy Martel  United States Houston Baptist
8 170 Mike Howard  United States Wofford
9 193 Eddie Brown  United States Valdosta State
10 212 Ralton Way  United States Houston Baptist

Roster

1981–82 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 42 Ballard, Greg 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Oregon
C 9 Chones, Jim 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Marquette
G/F 22 Collins, Don 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Washington State
SF 23 Davis, Charles 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Vanderbilt
F 35 Grevey, Kevin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Kentucky
PF 24 Haywood, Spencer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Detroit Mercy
PG 15 Johnson, Frank 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Wake Forest
G 5 Lucas, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Maryland
PF 44 Mahorn, Rick 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Hampton
PG 1 Porter, Kevin 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Saint Francis (PA)
C 43 Ruland, Jeff 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Iona
G 12 Terry, Carlos 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Winston-Salem State
F 20 Witts, Garry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Holy Cross
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics 63 19 .768 – 35–6 28–13 20–4
x-Philadelphia 76ers 58 24 .707 5.0 32–9 26–15 16–8
x-New Jersey Nets 44 38 .537 19.0 25–16 19–22 12–12
x-Washington Bullets 43 39 .524 20.0 22–19 21–20 7–17
New York Knicks 33 49 .402 30.0 19–22 14–27 5–19
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics 63 19 .768 –
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks 55 27 .671 8
3 x-Philadelphia 76ers 58 24 .707 5
4 x-New Jersey Nets 44 38 .537 19
5 x-Washington Bullets 43 39 .524 20
6 x-Atlanta Hawks 42 40 .512 21
7 Detroit Pistons 39 43 .476 24
8 Indiana Pacers 35 47 .427 28
9 Chicago Bulls 34 48 .415 29
10 New York Knicks 33 49 .402 30
11 Cleveland Cavaliers 15 67 .183 48

Notes

  • z, y – division champions
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1981–82 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta — 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 0–2 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 3–3 3–2 5–1 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–4
Boston 5–1 — 4–2 5–0 2–0 1–1 6–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 5–1 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 6–0
Chicago 3–2 2–4 — 5–1 1–1 1–1 0–6 0–2 1–1 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–5 2–4 3–2 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4
Cleveland 2–4 0–5 1–5 — 2–0 0–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 1–5 1–1 0–2 0–6 0–6 0–6 0–5 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–5
Dallas 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 — 1–5 1–1 0–5 2–4 1–1 4–2 1–4 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–3 2–3 1–5 2–3 1–4 3–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1 — 1–1 3–2 5–1 0–2 4–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–3 2–4 5–0 2–3 3–3 2–0
Detroit 4–2 0–6 6–0 5–1 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 2–0 2–4 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–4 3–3 2–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–4
Golden State 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–3 0–2 — 1–4 2–0 3–2 3–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–2 2–4 3–2 5–1 1–5 3–2 1–1
Houston 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–5 0–2 4–1 — 2–0 3–3 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 4–1 3–3 4–1 2–3 6–0 2–0
Indiana 2–4 1–5 3–3 5–1 1–1 2–0 4–2 0–2 0–2 — 1–1 0–2 0–6 4–2 3–2 0–6 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–5
Kansas City 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 2–4 0–2 2–3 3–3 1–1 — 1–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–3 0–5 1–5 4–1 2–3 3–3 0–2
Los Angeles 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 2–0 3–3 4–1 2–0 4–1 — 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2 5–1 2–3 5–1 4–2 5–0 2–0
Milwaukee 3–3 3–3 5–1 6–0 1–1 1–1 4–2 0–2 1–1 6–0 1–1 2–0 — 4–1 3–3 4–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
New Jersey 2–3 1–5 4–2 6–0 0–2 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 1–1 1–1 1–4 — 4–2 3–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–2
New York 1–5 1–5 2–3 6–0 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 0–2 2–0 3–3 2–4 — 1–5 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–5
Philadelphia 3–3 2–4 5–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 6–0 2–0 1–1 2–4 3–3 5–1 — 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 6–0
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–2 3–2 2–0 2–4 2–3 1–1 3–2 2–4 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 — 3–3 4–1 4–2 3–3 3–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 3–2 2–0 4–2 1–4 1–1 5–0 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–3 — 3–2 4–2 3–3 4–1 0–2
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 4–2 2–0 2–3 3–3 0–2 5–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–4 2–3 — 3–2 4–1 3–3 1–1
San Diego 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–2 0–5 0–2 1–5 1–4 0–2 1–4 1–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–4 2–4 2–3 — 1–5 1–4 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 4–1 3–2 1–1 5–1 3–2 1–1 3–2 2–4 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 1–4 5–1 — 5–0 1–1
Utah 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–3 3–3 1–1 2–3 0–6 1–1 3–3 0–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–3 1–4 3–3 4–1 0–5 — 1–1
Washington 4–2 0–6 4–2 5–1 1–1 0–2 4–1 1–1 0–2 5–1 2–0 0–2 2–3 2–4 5–1 0–6 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 —

Game log

Regular season

1981–82 game log
Total: 43–39 (home: 22–19; road: 21–20)
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 30 @ Boston L 100–124 Boston Garden 0–1
November: 4–9 (home: 3–5; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
2 November 3 Philadelphia L 99–112 Capital Centre 0–2
3 November 5 @ Milwaukee L 90–98 MECCA Arena 0–3
4 November 6 Detroit W 86–82 Capital Centre 1–3
5 November 10 Boston L 84–90 Capital Centre 1–4
6 November 12 @ Atlanta W 95–87 The Omni 2–4
7 November 14 Chicago W 104–99 Capital Centre 3–4
8 November 17 Milwaukee L 95–99 Capital Centre 3–5
9 November 19 @ Detroit L 97–122 Pontiac Silverdome 3–6
10 November 20 Houston L 94–95 Capital Centre 3–7
11 November 21 @ Chicago L 105–117 Chicago Stadium 3–8
12 November 24 Golden State W 107–88 Capital Centre 4–8
13 November 27 @ Boston L 100–113 Boston Garden 4–9
14 November 28 Indiana L 90–92 Capital Centre 4–10
December: 8–7 (home: 3–3; road: 5–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
15 December 1 San Antonio L 99–110 Capital Centre 4–11
16 December 3 @ New York W 114–88 Madison Square Garden 5–11
17 December 5 Cleveland W 94–87 Capital Centre 6–11
18 December 8 @ Los Angeles L 98–102 The Forum 6–12
19 December 11 @ San Diego W 106–102 San Diego Sports Arena 7–12
20 December 12 @ Phoenix W 105–98 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8–12
21 December 15 Dallas L 102–107 Capital Centre 8–13
22 December 16 @ Cleveland W 106–102 Richfield Coliseum 9–13
23 December 18 Boston L 98–99 Capital Centre 9–14
24 December 22 @ Chicago L 90–92 Chicago Stadium 9–15
25 December 25 Indiana W 115–98 Capital Centre 10–15
26 December 26 @ New Jersey W 105–90 Brendan Byrne Arena 11–15
27 December 29 Detroit W 129–125 Capital Centre 12–15
28 December 30 @ Milwaukee L 103–107 MECCA Arena 12–16
January: 10–4 (home: 5–3; road: 5–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 January 2 @ Indiana W 107–103 Market Square Arena 13–16
30 January 5 New Jersey L 108–114 Capital Centre 13–17
31 January 6 @ Philadelphia L 112–116 The Spectrum 13–18
32 January 7 @ Cleveland W 109–100 Richfield Coliseum 14–18
33 January 10 @ New York W 129–126 (OT) Madison Square Garden 15–18
34 January 12 Philadelphia L 92–95 Capital Centre 15–19
35 January 14 @ Detroit W 121–114 Pontiac Silverdome 16–19
36 January 15 Chicago W 93–90 Capital Centre 17–19
37 January 17 Atlanta W 96–78 Capital Centre 18–19
38 January 20 Seattle W 106–95 Capital Centre 19–19
39 January 22 Portland W 110–97 Capital Centre 20–19
41 January 23 @ Kansas City W 109–106 (OT) Kemper Arena 21–19
41 January 26 Chicago W 94–84 Capital Centre 22–19
42 January 28 New York L 98–102 Capital Centre 22–20
All-Star Break
February: 5–8 (home: 2–4; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
43 February 2 Cleveland L 99–100 Capital Centre 22–21
44 February 3 @ Philadelphia L 96–122 The Spectrum 22–22
45 February 5 Los Angeles L 87–90 Capital Centre 22–23
46 February 7 Denver L 115–124 Capital Centre 22–24
47 February 9 @ San Antonio W 112–110 HemisFair Arena 23–24
48 February 10 @ Dallas W 119–102 Reunion Arena 24–24
49 February 13 @ Houston L 104–111 The Summit 24–25
50 February 16 @ Portland W 100–97 Memorial Coliseum 25–25
51 February 18 @ Seattle L 87–105 Kingdome 25–26
52 February 20 @ Golden State L 102–110 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 25–27
53 February 23 Utah L 106–113 Capital Centre 25–28
54 February 26 Kansas City W 100–98 Capital Centre 26–28
55 February 28 New York W 113–109 (OT) Capital Centre 27–28
March: 10–7 (home: 6–3; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
56 March 2 New Jersey L 124–130 (2OT) Capital Centre 27–29
57 March 5 @ Denver L 126–127 McNichols Sports Arena 27–30
58 March 6 @ Utah W 127–113 Salt Palace Acord Arena 28–30
59 March 9 Phoenix L 95–103 Capital Centre 28–31
60 March 12 Indiana W 110–105 Capital Centre 29–31
61 March 13 @ New York W 109–99 Madison Square Garden 30–31
62 March 14 Atlanta W 92–85 Capital Centre 31–31
63 March 16 Boston L 97–98 (OT) Capital Centre 31–32
64 March 17 @ Philadelphia L 93–102 The Spectrum 31–33
65 March 19 San Diego W 108–98 Capital Centre 32–33
66 March 21 New York W 110–109 Capital Centre 33–33
67 March 23 @ Atlanta L 87–107 The Omni 33–34
68 March 24 @ Indiana W 114–106 Market Square Arena 34–34
69 March 26 New Jersey W 104–88 Capital Centre 35–34
70 March 28 @ Cleveland W 104–101 Richfield Coliseum 36–34
71 March 30 Detroit W 127–98 Capital Centre 37–34
72 March 31 @ Boston L 109–119 Boston Garden 37–35
April: 6–4 (home: 3–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
73 April 2 @ New Jersey L 96–98 Brendan Byrne Arena 37–36
74 April 3 @ Atlanta L 101–106 The Omni 37–37
75 April 6 Cleveland W 94–85 Capital Centre 38–37
76 April 7 @ Indiana W 97–85 Market Square Arena 39–37
77 April 9 @ Chicago W 114–98 Chicago Stadium 40–37
78 April 10 Milwaukee W 115–114 Capital Centre 41–37
79 April 13 @ Milwaukee W 109–99 MECCA Arena 42–37
80 April 14 @ New Jersey L 94–98 Brendan Byrne Arena 42–38
81 April 16 Philadelphia L 96–100 Capital Centre 42–39
82 April 18 Atlanta W 99–96 Capital Centre 43–39
1981–82 schedule

Playoffs

1982 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 2–0 (home: 1–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 20 @ New Jersey W 96–83 Jeff Ruland (18) Jeff Ruland (20) Frank Johnson (11) Brendan Byrne Arena
14,015 		1–0
2 April 23 New Jersey W 103–92 Kevin Grevey (23) Rick Mahorn (11) Frank Johnson (9) Capital Centre
19,035 		2–0
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 25 @ Boston L 91–109 Spencer Haywood (17) Greg Ballard (9) Frank Johnson (6) Boston Garden
15,320 		0–1
2 April 28 @ Boston W 103–102 Johnson, Haywood (26) Jeff Ruland (10) Frank Johnson (8) Boston Garden
15,320 		1–1
3 May 1 Boston L 83–92 Spencer Haywood (19) Rick Mahorn (14) Frank Johnson (8) Capital Centre
15,035 		1–2
4 May 2 Boston L 99–103 (OT) Spencer Haywood (28) Rick Mahorn (10) Frank Johnson (7) Capital Centre
16,295 		1–3
5 May 5 @ Boston L 126–131 (2OT) Jeff Ruland (33) Jeff Ruland (13) Frank Johnson (10) Boston Garden
15,320 		1–4
1982 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

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Playoffs

Awards and records

Transactions

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References

  1. 1981-82 Washington Bullets

See also

1981–82 NBA season
Eastern
Atlantic
Central
Western
Midwest
Pacific
Washington Wizards seasons
1960s
1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
1970s
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79
1980s
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
1990s
1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
2000s
1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09
2010s
2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19
2020s
2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
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