Hoops Wire

Tag: NBA Playoffs

  • NBA sets dates for Eastern and Western conference finals

    NBA sets dates for Eastern and Western conference finals

    The NBA has begun lining up the conference finals. But, of course, a few key outcomes need to fall into place first.

    Per a league release, the tentative start dates hinge on the remaining second-round series. The Eastern Conference finals will tip off Sunday or Tuesday, depending on whether the Cavaliers and Pistons need a Game 7.

    Evan Mobley, Cavaliers, Cavs, Pistons, Duncan Robinson, NBA
    Imagn

    The Cavs lead the series, 3-2, with Game 6 set for Friday at Rocket Arena.

    The Western Conference finals follow a similar path. That series is scheduled to begin Monday or Wednesday, based on the outcome of Friday’s Game 6 between the Spurs and Timberwolves. 

    San Antonio leads the series, 3-2. Game 6 of that series is also Friday, in Minnesota. 

    Two teams are already in position.

    The Knicks have clinched their spot in the East, while the reigning NBA champion Thunder are waiting in the West. Both will get extra rest as they await their opponents.

  • Nuggets, down 3-1, last team to overcome such a deficit

    Nuggets, down 3-1, last team to overcome such a deficit

    Down 3-1? Yeah, the Nuggets know the feeling.

    It’s not ideal. Not even close. But it’s also not unfamiliar.

    As noted by the popular NBA account Oh No He Didn’t, the last two times the Nuggets faced a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs… they came all the way back to win the series.

    Both of those runs came in 2020, when Denver erased 3-1 holes against the Jazz and Los Clippers in the Orlando bubble. Same franchise. Same kind of situation.

    Of course, this is a different year. A different roster. And right now, a different kind of challenge.

    The Nuggets just dropped Game 4, 112-96, and have lost three straight to the Timberwolves. They’ll need to flip the series quickly, starting with Game 5 back in Denver.

    Still, if there’s one team that doesn’t automatically panic at 3-1…

    It might be this one.

    History doesn’t guarantee anything.

    But in Denver’s case, it at least makes things a little more interesting.

  • NBA Playoffs: Play-in tourney looms, matchups set

    NBA Playoffs: Play-in tourney looms, matchups set

    That’s a wrap on the NBA regular season.

    The league finalized its playoff picture Sunday, locking in the top six seeds in each conference and setting the stage for this week’s play-in tournament.

    Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves, Victor Wembanyama, Spurs, NBA
    File photo

    There were still a few things to sort out.

    In the East, the Raptors took care of business against Brooklyn, clinching their first playoff berth in four years and jumping to the No. 5 seed. That result sends both the 76ers and Magic to the play-in.

    Out West, the Trail Blazers handled Sacramento to secure the No. 8 spot. That’s big. It means Portland gets two chances to make the playoffs, while the Los Angeles Clippers slide to No. 9 and will need two wins to advance.

    Now, it’s play-in time.

    Play-In Matchups

    Eastern Conference
    Tuesday
    • (10) Miami Heat at (9) Charlotte Hornets
    (Winner advances, loser eliminated)

    Wednesday
    • (8) Orlando Magic at (7) Philadelphia 76ers
    (Winner earns No. 7 seed)

    Friday
    • Winner Heat/Hornets at loser Magic/Sixers
    (Winner earns No. 8 seed)

    Western Conference
    Tuesday
    • (8) Portland Trail Blazers at (7) Phoenix Suns
    (Winner earns No. 7 seed)

    Wednesday
    • (10) Golden State Warriors at (9) Los Angeles Clippers
    (Winner advances, loser eliminated)

    Friday
    • Winner Warriors/Clippers at loser Blazers/Suns
    (Winner earns No. 8 seed)

    First-Round Matchups

    Eastern Conference
    • (1) Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 (play-in)
    • (2) Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 (play-in)
    • (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
    • (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

    Western Conference
    • (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 (play-in)
    • (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 (play-in)
    • (3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
    • (4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

  • NBA Playoff Picture: Everthing still on line entering final day of regular season

    NBA Playoff Picture: Everthing still on line entering final day of regular season

    The NBA’s regular-season finale is here, and remarkably, just about everything is still up in the air.

    Not a single first-round matchup is fully set entering Sunday’s games. Here’s a breakdown of where things stand.

    Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Cavaliers, Cavs, Hawks, NBA
    Imagn

    Eastern Conference: Seeds Set, Matchups Not

    The top four seeds are locked in:

    1. Detroit Pistons
    2. Boston Celtics
    3. New York Knicks
    4. Cleveland Cavaliers

    After that, it gets messy.

    The Hawks, Raptors, Magic and 76ers are all still battling for positioning, with two guaranteed playoff spots and two play-in spots up for grabs.

    • Hawks (46-35): Win at Miami, and they’re the No. 5 seed.
    • Raptors (45-36): Win vs. Brooklyn, and they’re in the playoffs. Could rise to No. 5 with help.
    • Magic (45-36): Need win at Boston and help to avoid play-in.
    • 76ers (44-37): Need a win vs. Milwaukee plus help to escape play-in.

    If all four teams win, the current standings hold.

    Meanwhile, the Hornets and Heat are locked into the 9-10 play-in game. Home-court advantage is still up for grabs.

    Projected East Matchups (Entering Sunday)

    • (1) Pistons vs. Play-In Winner
    • (2) Celtics vs. Play-In Winner
    • (3) Knicks vs. (6) Raptors
    • (4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Hawks

    Again, all subject to change.

    Western Conference: Two Races To Watch

    Out West, most of the bracket is set. But two key battles remain.

    No. 3 vs. No. 4 Seed

    • Nuggets (53-28) vs. Spurs
    • Lakers (52-29) vs. Jazz

    Denver clinches No. 3 with a win or Lakers loss.
    L.A. moves up with a win and Nuggets loss.

    No. 8 vs. No. 9 Seed

    • Trail Blazers (41-40) vs. Kings
    • Clippers (41-40) vs. Warriors

    Portland clinches No. 8 with a win or Clippers loss.
    Clippers need a win and Blazers loss.

    Projected West Matchups (Entering Sunday)

    • (1) Thunder vs. Play-In Winner
    • (2) Spurs vs. Play-In Winner
    • (3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves
    • (4) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets

    Current Play-In Matchups

    East

    • (7) Magic vs. (8) 76ers
    • (9) Hornets vs. (10) Heat

    West

    • (7) Suns vs. (8) Blazers
    • (9) Clippers vs. (10) Warriors

    The Bottom Line

    There’s no fancy way to say it. Everything comes down to Sunday.

    Seeds five through eight in the East are still shifting. The Lakers and Nuggets are battling for positioning. The Clippers and Blazers are fighting for survival advantages.

    And depending on how things break, the playoff bracket could look very different by the end of the night.

  • NBA: 14 playoff spots still up for grabs entering final weekend

    NBA: 14 playoff spots still up for grabs entering final weekend

    Two days left. Fourteen NBA playoff spots still undecided.

    Yeah, the league isn’t lacking drama heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

    James Harden, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA
    Imagn

    The league shared a graphic Friday highlighting just how wide open things remain across both conferences. And the message is pretty simple: Nothing’s settled.

    In the West, the Thunder have locked up the top seed, but beyond that, it’s a scramble. Teams like the Nuggets, Lakers and Rockets are still jockeying for position.

    Over in the East, it’s just as tight.

    The Pistons sit at No. 1, while seeds for the Celtics, Knicks and Cavaliers are all still very much in play depending on how things break over the final two games.

    And then there’s the middle. That’s where things really get messy.

    From about fourth through the play-in line, it’s a full-on traffic jam. One win. One loss. That’s all it takes to shift a matchup… or a season.

    And this is what the NBA wants this time of year: Chaos.

  • Hawks, Raptors tied for fifth as East playoff picture intensifies

    Hawks, Raptors tied for fifth as East playoff picture intensifies

    The East race for fifth is coming down to the wire, and it’s got a little bit of everything.

    The Hawks and Raptors are tied at 45-35 with two games left, with Toronto holding the tiebreaker after its win over Miami. That’s significant, because the Cavaliers are all but locked into the fourth seed and will face whoever finishes fifth.

    RJ Barrett, Raptors, Jalen Johnson, Hawks, NBA
    AP

    Same goes for the Knicks at No. 3. They’ll get the sixth seed. So now it’s basically about who lands where between Atlanta and Toronto.

    The Cavs just beat the Hawks on Wednesday and head to Atlanta for a rematch Friday. Cleveland may not show much, though, with its spot secured. If the regulars play, it could be in limited minutes.

    Toronto’s path is pretty clear. The Raptors visit the Knicks on Friday on the second night of a back-to-back, then return home to face the Nets on Sunday. That finale could loom large.

    Atlanta’s road is a little trickier. The Hawks get the Cavs on Friday, then close at Miami against a Heat team that won’t be in a giving mood.

    There’s also a bit of gamesmanship here. The Hawks would likely prefer to stay in fifth and face Cleveland, meaning they’ll be rooting for a Knicks win over Toronto on Friday. At least, we sort of think that’s what they want.

    One more win clinches a playoff spot for the Raptors, and the Hawks, ensuring that each will avoid the play-in. (Yes, the Magic are still alive in all this. At least, we sort of think.)

    Either way, the Cavs are watching. The Knicks are watching. And the bracket is still very much in play.

  • Current NBA playoff picture

    Current NBA playoff picture

    The NBA playoff picture? Still a little messy.

    There are only a few days left in the regular season, but between tight seeding races and the upcoming play-in tournament, not much is fully locked in just yet.

    Still, if things ended today, here’s how it would look:

    Current NBA Playoff Matchups

    Eastern Conference

    1. Detroit Pistons vs. 8. Play-In Winner
    2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Play-In Winner
    3. New York Knicks vs. 6. Toronto Raptors
    4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

    Play-In Tournament:
    7. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 8. Orlando Magic
    9. Charlotte Hornets vs. 10. Miami Heat
    Loser of 7-8 plays winner of 9-10 for final spot

    Western Conference

    1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8. Play-In Winner
    2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Play-In Winner
    3. Denver Nuggets vs. 6. Minnesota Timberwolves
    4. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 5. Houston Rockets

    Play-In Tournament:
    7. Phoenix Suns vs. 8. LA Clippers
    9. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 10. Golden State Warriors
    Loser of 7-8 plays winner of 9-10 for final spot

    Wednesday’s Games

    Hawks at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
    Timberwolves at Magic, 7 p.m. ET
    Bucks at Pistons, 7 p.m. ET
    Grizzlies at Nuggets, 9 p.m. ET
    Trail Blazers at Spurs, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
    Thunder at Clippers, 10 p.m. ET
    Mavericks at Suns, 10 p.m. ET

  • East playoff race still wide open behind top-seeded Pistons

    East playoff race still wide open behind top-seeded Pistons

    While the Pistons have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, nearly everything else in the playoff picture remains unsettled entering the final week of the regular season.

    Detroit secured the top spot despite losing franchise guard Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung a few weeks back, but the rest of the conference standings are still in flux.

    JB Bickerstaff, Pistons, Knicks, NBA Playoffs
    File photo

    The Celtics are in position to claim the No. 2 seed, though they have yet to secure it officially. Behind them, the race between the Knicks and Cavaliers for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots could come down to the weekend.

    The Hawks, currently sitting fifth, are likely to play a major role in how that race unfolds. Atlanta faces New York on Monday before a home-and-home set with Cleveland in the middle of the week. Those games could ultimately determine first-round pairings.

    Further down the standings, the race for the final guaranteed playoff spot remains tight. The 76ers and Raptors are currently tied for sixth, with four games remaining.

    In other words, every result over the next several days will carry real weight. It’s almost as if the playoffs have started already.

    RELATED | Current playoff pairings by conference

  • Current NBA playoff matchups

    Current NBA playoff matchups

    The final week of the NBA regular season is underway, and while much of the playoff picture remains unsettled, one thing is already locked in — the Pistons have secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

    Detroit visits the Magic on Monday, with Orlando still fighting to climb out of the play-in range. The Magic sit ninth in the East and remain within striking distance of the No. 6 seed, though their odds of avoiding the play-in are slim.

    Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers, Cavs, Pistons, NBA
    Getty

    The 76ers are also battling to hold position, facing the Spurs on Monday.

    Out West, the Nuggets continue jockeying for seeding while hosting the Trail Blazers.

    In the East, the Knicks remain third but are feeling pressure from the Cavaliers, who trail by just one game entering Monday’s matchup with the Grizzlies. The surging Hawks, winners of 18 of their past 20, have climbed to fifth and continue to impact the race.

    With only a handful of games remaining, most playoff and play-in spots are still fluid in both conferences.

    Here’s how the postseason picture currently looks:

    Eastern Conference Playoffs

    1. Detroit Pistons vs. 8. Play-in winner
    2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Play-in winner
    3. New York Knicks vs. 6. Philadelphia 76ers
    4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

    Eastern Conference Play-In

    1. Toronto Raptors vs. 8. Charlotte Hornets
    2. Orlando Magic vs. 10. Miami Heat
      Loser 7/8 vs. Winner 9/10

    Western Conference Playoffs

    1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8. Play-in winner
    2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Play-in winner
    3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Minnesota Timberwolves
    4. Denver Nuggets vs. 5. Houston Rockets

    Western Conference Play-In

    1. Phoenix Suns vs. 8. LA Clippers
    2. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 10. Golden State Warriors
      Loser 7/8 vs. Winner 9/10
  • Western Conference postseason teams determined

    Western Conference postseason teams determined

    NBA Wilson Ball
    File photo

    The Western Conference play-in and playoff field is now set.

    Following the eliminations of the Grizzlies and Pelicans, the top 10 teams in the West have been finalized, as relayed by Hoops Rumors.

    What’s still very much up in the air is the order.

    Just a few games separate several teams in the middle of the standings, with positioning from Nos. 3-10 still in flux entering the final stretch of the regular season. That should create at least a little drama in these next few weeks.

    But the field is set. Now it’s about where everyone lands.

  • Grizzlies, Pelicans eliminated from postseason contention

    Grizzlies, Pelicans eliminated from postseason contention

    NBA, Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
    Getty

    The Grizzlies and Pelicans have officially been eliminated from postseason contention, as noted by Hoops Rumors. 

    Memphis was knocked out following a loss to San Antonio on Wednesday, while New Orleans’ hopes ended a night earlier with a loss to New York. 

    That leaves the Western Conference playoff and play-in field set, at least in terms of teams.

    The Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Rockets, Suns, Clippers, Trail Blazers, and Warriors will make up the top 10. 

    Seeding remains fluid over the final weeks, but the group itself is now locked in.

    RELATED | Zion Williamson reaches contract incentive

  • NBA Teams That Have Overcome 2-0 Deficits In Playoffs, All Time

    NBA Teams That Have Overcome 2-0 Deficits In Playoffs, All Time

    Teams that have overcome 2-0 deficits in the NBA playoffs …

    34. 2024 Pacers – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Knicks (Eastern Conference Semifinals)
    33. 2023 Warriors – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Kings (Western Conference First Round)
    32. 2022 Mavericks – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Suns (Western Conference Semifinals)
    31. 2021 Bucks – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Suns (NBA Finals)
    30. 2021 Clippers – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Jazz (Western Conference Semifinals)
    29. 2021 Bucks – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Nets (Eastern Conference Semifinals)
    28. 2021 Clippers – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Mavericks (Western Conference First Round)
    27. 2019 Raptors – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Bucks (Eastern Conference Finals)
    26. 2018 Cavaliers – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Celtics (Eastern Conference Finals)
    25. 2017 Celtics – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Bulls (Eastern Conference First Round)

    24. 2016 Cavaliers – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Warriors (NBA Finals)
    23. 2016 Trail Blazers – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Clippers (Western Conference First Round)
    22. 2013 Grizzlies – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Clippers (Western Conference First Round)
    21. 2012 Thunder – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Spurs (Western Conference Finals)
    20. 2008 Spurs – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Hornets (Western Conference Semifinals)
    19. 2007 Cavaliers – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Pistons (Eastern Conference Finals)
    18. 2007 Jazz – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Rockets (Western Conference First Round)
    17. 2006 Heat – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Mavericks (NBA Finals)
    16. 2005 Wizards – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Bulls (Eastern Conference First Round)
    15. 2005 Mavericks – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Rockets (Western Conference First Round)

    14. 2004 Lakers – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Spurs (Western Conference Semifinals)
    13. 2001 Mavericks – Won 3-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Jazz (Western Conference First Round)
    12. 1995 Rockets – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Suns (Western Conference Semifinals)
    11. 1994 Rockets – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Suns (Western Conference Semifinals)
    10. 1994 Nuggets – Won 3-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. SuperSonics (Western Conference First Round)
    9. 1993 Bulls – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Knicks (Eastern Conference Finals)
    8. 1993 Suns – Won 3-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Lakers (Western Conference First Round)
    7. 1990 Knicks – Won 3-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Celtics (Eastern Conference First Round)
    6. 1987 Warriors – Won 3-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Jazz (Western Conference First Round)
    5. 1977 Trail Blazers – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. 76ers (NBA Finals)

    4. 1971 Bullets – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Knicks (Eastern Conference Finals)
    3. 1969 Celtics – Won 4-3, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Lakers (NBA Finals)
    2. 1969 Lakers – Won 4-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Warriors (Western Division Semifinals)
    1. 1956 Pistons – Won 3-2, recovered from 2-0 deficit vs. Hawks (Western Division Finals)

  • Game 3? Must win. Talkin’ Cavs with Booby Gibson

    Game 3? Must win. Talkin’ Cavs with Booby Gibson

    The Cavaliers have arrived in Indianapolis where their greatest challenge awaits. They lost both in Cleveland. 

    Down 2-0 in their second round series vs. the Pacers, the Cavs need Game 3. Period. Exclamation point.

    We discuss that and a whole lot more on the latest Full Court Cleveland, featuring Yours Truly, former Cavs guard Daniel “Booby” Gibson and Rafa Hernandez-Brito. Watch the entire show below.

  • Cavs Face Steep Climb, But History Offers Slim Hope

    Cavs Face Steep Climb, But History Offers Slim Hope

    The Cavaliers trail the Pacers 2-0 in their first-round series, and if you’re looking for signs of hope, you’ll need to dig deep — like 7.3% deep.Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

    That’s the historical success rate for teams that have come back to win a series after losing the first two games. According to NBA data, only 34 teams have pulled off such a comeback in 459 tries. Yes, 34. Out of 459.

    The Pacers themselves recently pulled it off, and just last postseason. But make no mistake, this is rare air.

    The Cavs don’t need a miracle. But they’ll need urgency, resilience, and a whole new gear (and improved health) heading to Indianapolis. Because right now, the numbers — and the odds — are not on their side. Game 3 is Friday night.

    Also, just five teams have come back from a 2-0 deficit after losing the first two games at home. I’ll have a story on those teams later. For now, here’s a look at those that have overcome 2-0 deficits:

    • 2024: The Indiana Pacers came back to beat the New York Knicks, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    • 2023: The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 2022: The Dallas Mavericks rallied past the Phoenix Suns, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.

    • 2021: The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 4-2, in the NBA Finals.

    • 2021: The LA Clippers overcame the Utah Jazz, 4-2, in the Western Conference Semifinals.

    • 2021: The Milwaukee Bucks edged the Brooklyn Nets, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    • 2021: The LA Clippers outlasted the Dallas Mavericks, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 2019: The Toronto Raptors came back against the Milwaukee Bucks, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals.

    • 2018: The Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Boston Celtics, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Finals.

    • 2017: The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference First Round.

    • 2016: The Cleveland Cavaliers came back against the Golden State Warriors, 4-3, in the NBA Finals.

    • 2016: The Portland Trail Blazers beat the LA Clippers, 4-2, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 2013: The Memphis Grizzlies beat the LA Clippers, 4-2, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 2012: The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 4-2, in the Western Conference Finals.

    • 2008: The San Antonio Spurs edged the New Orleans Hornets, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.

    • 2007: The Cleveland Cavaliers came back against the Detroit Pistons, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals.

    • 2007: The Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 2006: The Miami Heat rallied to defeat the Dallas Mavericks, 4-2, in the NBA Finals.

    • 2005: The Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference First Round.

    • 2005: The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 2004: The LA Lakers came back to beat the San Antonio Spurs, 4-2, in the Western Conference Semifinals.

    • 2001: The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 1995: The Houston Rockets came back against the Phoenix Suns, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.

    • 1994: The Houston Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns again, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.

    • 1994: The Denver Nuggets stunned the Seattle Supersonics, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 1993: The Chicago Bulls beat the New York Knicks, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals.

    • 1993: The Phoenix Suns defeated the LA Lakers, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 1990: The New York Knicks came back to beat the Boston Celtics, 3-2, in the Eastern Conference First Round.

    • 1987: The Golden State Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.

    • 1977: The Portland Trail Blazers rallied to beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2, in the NBA Finals.

    • 1971: The Washington Bullets edged the New York Knicks, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Finals.

    • 1969: The Boston Celtics defeated the LA Lakers, 4-3, in the NBA Finals.

    • 1969: The LA Lakers beat the San Francisco Warriors, 4-2, in the Western Division Semifinals.

    • 1956: The Fort Wayne Pistons came back against the St. Louis Hawks, 3-2, in the Western Division Finals.

    RELATED | Dribbles: If anyone can come back from this it’s these Cavs. But it must start now.