High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1974 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association`s 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks, four games to three in the NBA Finals. It was the Celtics` 12th NBA Championship, and the very first one accomplished in the post-Bill Russell era. John Havlicek of the Celtics was named NBA Finals MVP. An injury to Bucks` starting guard Lucius Allen was a key factor in the finals.