Regular Season Review
Eastern Conference — Review
The Brooklyn Nets entered the season as the favorites to finish atop the NBA Eastern Conference standings. However, injuries and COVID-19 issues hampered their performance. With Kevin Durant missing nearly two months due to injuries and Kyrie Irving unable to play home games because of his vaccination status, the Nets experienced a rough patch that resulted in an epic 4-17 slide, briefly dropping them to eighth place.
On the other hand, the Miami Heat emerged as the team to beat in the East. Led by budding stars Tyler Herro and Bam Abedayo, along with seasoned veterans Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler, the Heat won 53 games and secured the top seed in the conference. They pose a legitimate threat to return to the NBA Finals for the sixth time in 12 years.
Defending champions Milwaukee Bucks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge, earned 51 wins and a share of second place. They were joined by the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics overcame a slow start and finished strong with a record of 35-12 in their final 47 games. Joel Embiid’s stellar performance propelled the 76ers to their third 50+ win campaign in five years.
The Toronto Raptors turned heads with their overachieving season, winning 48 games. Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes, played a significant role in their success. The Chicago Bulls secured the sixth spot with a 46-36 record. After surprising everyone as conference finalists last year, the Atlanta Hawks secured their second straight playoff appearance by winning a couple of games during the Play-In Tournament.
Western Conference — Review
After falling short in the NBA Finals last season, the Phoenix Suns dominated the Western Conference this year. Led by the dynamic duo of Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns had an impressive 18-game win streak early in the season and finished with a franchise-record 64 wins. Their goal is to capture their first NBA championship in the franchise’s 55-year history.
The Memphis Grizzlies also had a strong season, matching their franchise record with 56 wins and securing the second seed in the conference standings. They relied on a high-scoring offense, averaging 115.6 points per game, the second best in the NBA. The Grizzlies have a great chance to win their first playoff series in seven years.
The Golden State Warriors, featuring Stephen Curry, aim to return to the NBA Finals for the sixth time in eight years. They closed out the regular season with 53 wins and held sole possession of the third seed. The Utah Jazz, who had a shaky stretch run, will need to regain their form if they want to surpass the second round for the first time since 2007. Other teams seeking redemption in this season’s NBA Playoffs include the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, and LA Clippers.
How do the NBA Playoffs Work?
As one of the most popular postseasons in the world of sports, the NBA Playoffs never fail to live up to the hype. It features the top eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences competing in a thrilling knockout competition, creating unforgettable moments in sports history.
Seeding & Qualification
Starting in 2021, the qualification process for the NBA Playoffs changed. Previously, the top eight teams from each conference would qualify directly. However, now only the top six teams secure a playoff spot, and a Play-In tournament determines the 7th and 8th seeds from each conference.
The Play-In tournament involves the 7th and 8th seeds facing off, with the winner earning the 7th seed. Additionally, the 9th and 10th seeds compete for the opportunity to play against the loser of the 7th vs. 8th seed game. The team that emerges victorious in this matchup earns the final spot in the playoffs, completing the NBA playoff picture.
While ensuring qualification is crucial for teams, securing the highest seed possible is a top priority. The top four seeds receive home-court advantage in the first round, and the 1st seed maintains this advantage throughout all conference rounds.
Playoff Series Explained
In the first round, the top-seeded team faces the 8th seed, the 2nd seed plays the 7th seed, and so on. Each series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 home and away format, allowing the higher-seeded team to host games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The goal is to win four games in a series to advance to the next round.
The NBA Playoffs have witnessed several major upsets over the years. One of the most memorable occurred in 2007 when the 8th seed Golden State Warriors defeated the 1st seed Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the first round. Despite being given just a 5.9% chance of winning the series by sportsbooks, the Warriors defied the odds.
There is a slight gap between each game in the series, ranging from two to four days in the first two rounds and every other day in the conference semi-finals. In the NBA Finals, games are played every two to three days. The minimum number of games a championship-winning team can play is 16 (four games per round), while the maximum is 28 if each series goes to a seventh game (4-3 in each round). No team has ever achieved a flawless 16-0 record in the playoffs, although the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors came close with a 16-1 record. It is also worth noting that no team has swept all four series with four game sevens on their way to an NBA Championship.
The Boston Celtics hold the record for playing the most playoff games (26) en route to winning a championship.
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals follow the same format as the preceding rounds in the NBA Playoffs, but it is the first series where the eastern and western conference teams face off against each other. Just like in the previous series, the Finals can last up to seven games. The winning team will be crowned the NBA Champions for 2022, and the players will receive coveted NBA Championship Rings.
One of the most memorable game sevens in NBA Finals history occurred in 2016 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers triumphed with a four-point victory, led by Lebron James and Kyrie Irving, scoring 27 and 26 points respectively. Cleveland’s 4-3 series win marked the first time a team had ever come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Championship.
Conclusion
The NBA Playoffs provide a thrilling and intense competition among the best teams in basketball. The journey to the NBA Finals showcases the resilience, skills, and determination of the players and teams involved. With qualification, seeding battles, and playoff series, the NBA Playoffs captivate millions of fans around the world. Ultimately, the team that emerges victorious in the NBA Finals will etch their names in basketball history.
FAQs
Q1: Has any team ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the NBA Playoffs?
No, no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series in the NBA Playoffs. It remains an unparalleled feat in the history of the postseason.
Q2: How does the qualification process for the NBA Playoffs work?
Starting in 2021, the top six teams from each conference qualify directly for the NBA Playoffs. The 7th and 8th seeds are determined through a Play-In tournament involving the 7th to 10th seeds. The winner of the 7th vs. 8th seed game claims the 7th seed, while the winner of the 9th vs. 10th seed game competes against the loser of the 7th vs. 8th seed game for the final spot in the playoffs.
Q3: How many games does a team need to win to become NBA Champions?
To become NBA Champions, a team must advance through four rounds of series, winning a minimum of 16 games. However, if each series goes to a seventh game, a team could potentially play up to 28 games on their path to the championship.
Q4: Which team holds the record for the most playoff games played en route to winning a championship?
The Boston Celtics hold the record for the most playoff games played on their
