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The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.
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Notable events
There was a one-game playoff for fourth place in the Western Division because the Texas Chaparrals and Denver Rockets had tied with regular season records of 30-54. The game was played on April 1 and the Chaparrals won 115-109.
This was the first season in ABA history in which the team with the best regular season record did not win the ABA championship. The Indiana Pacers had the league's best record during this season at 58-26 (.690), putting them one game ahead of the eventual league champion Utah Stars in the Western Division.
This was the first season in ABA history in which neither regular season division champion made it to the ABA finals. The second place Utah Stars represented the West while the Kentucky Colonels, second place in the East behind the Virginia Squires, met them in the finals.
13,260 fans attended Game Seven of the ABA championship series between the Utah Stars and Kentucky Colonels at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 18, 1971. After the Stars won 131-121 the fans stormed the floor and mobbed the court for twenty minutes. Willie Wise and Zelmo Beaty rode off the floor carried upon the shoulders of Utah fans.
Zelmo Beaty was named Most Valuable Player of the ABA playoffs.
Western Division
Champion: Utah Stars
Division Semifinals
(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) Memphis Pros: Pacers win series 4-0
(2) Utah Stars vs. (4) Texas Chaparrals: Stars win series 4-0
Division Finals
(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (2) Utah Stars: Stars win series 4-3
Eastern Division
Champion: Kentucky Colonels
Division Semifinals
(1) Virginia Squires vs. (3) New York Nets: Squires win series 4-2
(2) Kentucky Colonels vs. (4) The Floridians: Colonels win series 4-2
Division Finals
(1) Virginia Squires vs. (2) Kentucky Colonels: Colonels win series 4-2
ABA Finals
(2) Utah Stars VS. (2) Kentucky Colonels: Stars win series 4-3