The Knicks would come flying out of the gate winning 19 of their first 20 games including a then record 18-straight on the way to a franchise best 60-22 record that earned them the first division title in 16 years as Willis Reed earned MVP honors. In the playoffs the Knicks would find themselves in a tight battle right away, as they needed 7 games to beat the Baltimore Bullets. The Knicks would find things easier in the Eastern Finals as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks led by New York School legend Lew Alcindor in 5 games. In the Finals the Knicks would face the Los Angeles Lakers after winning Game 1 at the Garden the Knicks would be tripped up in Game 2 losing by 2 points.Title, as the Boston Celtics posted an impressive 68-14 record. In the playoffs the Knicks would easily shoot down the Baltimore Bullets in 5 games setting up an Eastern Conference Finals match up with the Celtics. The Kicks would get off to a fast start winning 3 straight after dropping Game 1 to take a 3-1 series lead. However, after a 1-point loss in Game 5 and a home loss in Game 6 the Knicks appeared to be seeing the Eastern Title slip away as they needed to win Game 7 in Boston. However, the Knicks would rise to the occasion shutting down the Celtics with their tenacious D winning 94-78. Facing the Los Angels Lakers in the Finals again the Knicks would drop Game 1 by 3 points. However, in a reversal of last year the Knicks would rally to win the next 4 games and their 2nd NBA Championship, holding the Lakers under 100 points in a 4 games as Willis Reed out dueled Wilt Chamberlain again to win the Finals MVP