2002 NBA Playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 2002 NBA Playoffs
were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
's 2001–02 season. This would be the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; next year's postseason
would see those series expanded to a best-of-7 format. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference
champion Los Angeles Lakers
winning their third consecutive championship by sweeping the Eastern Conference
champion New Jersey Nets
4 games to none.
This tournament marked the return of playoff success for the Boston Celtics
, who had last made the playoffs in 1995
, and had made their last Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 1988
. Though they eventually lost to the New Jersey Nets
in 6 (preventing a Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals
), they did manage to create the biggest 4th quarter playoff comeback in Game 3, winning 94-90 after trailing by as much as 21 prior to the fourth quarter.
The playoffs also marked the last appearance of the Charlotte Hornets in the playoffs, as they moved the next year to New Orleans
. It was also the last playoff game held at Charlotte Coliseum
(Game 4 of the second round vs. New Jersey Nets
); Charlotte's new team, the Charlotte Bobcats
, played for a season at the Coliseum (without hosting a playoff game) before moving to Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly Bobcats Arena) in 2005
. The city would not host a playoff game again until 2010
.
The playoffs marked the last time NBC and TBS
aired NBA games as regular TV partners of the league. The last TBS-aired game under its various contracts was Game 5 of the Lakers-Spurs series, while Game 4 of the NBA Finals marked the last telecast on NBC. TBS and NBC were replaced with ESPN and ABC the following season, both channels being owned by the Walt Disney Company
. TBS has aired some NBA basketball in the ensuing years due to conflicts on TNT.
For the first time in his career, Michael Jordan
missed the postseason.
The total number of playoff games for the NBA was 70 games including the NBA Finals
.
clinched the best record in the NBA, and earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when Sacramento lost to the Los Angeles Lakers
in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals.
clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, and had home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
(1) Sacramento Kings
Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference First Round
(Utah won 3-2)
(2) San Antonio Spurs
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Western Conference Semifinals
(San Antonio won 4-1)
(3) Los Angeles Lakers
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference First Round
(Los Angeles won 3-0)
The Lakers sweep the Blazers thanks to a series-winning 3 by Robert Horry
with 2.1 seconds remaining in Game 3.
(4) Dallas Mavericks
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
Dirk Nowitzki
was virtually unstoppable in this series, averaging around 33 points and 16 rebounds per game.
(1) Sacramento Kings
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(2) San Antonio Spurs
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference Finals
(Los Angeles won 4-0)
The Spurs led going into the fourth quarter of all five games, yet were able to win only one. Kobe Bryant would pace Los Angeles to two crucial victories in the Alamodome with 31 points in Game 3 and a go-ahead game winning bucket in Game 4, and would offset the steady production of Tim Duncan (who had a double double in all 5 games including 34 points and 25 rebounds in the series finale) with his fourth quarter heroics. It would be San Antonio's final two home games in the Alamodome, as they would move into the SBC Center (now the AT&T Center
) the following year.
(1) Sacramento Kings
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference Semifinals
(Los Angeles won 4-0)
The 2002 Western Conference Finals is widely regarded as one of the classic series in NBA history, with the final four games coming down to the final seconds. Two games were decided on game winning shots and Game 7 was decided in overtime. It was, however, marred by corruption allegations. On June 10, 2008, convicted NBA referee Tim Donaghy
's attorney filed a court document alleging, among other things, that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings was fixed by two referees. The letter states that Donaghy "learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew Referees A and F to be 'company men', always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA's interest to add another game to the series." The Lakers won Game 6, attempting 18 more free throws than the Kings in the fourth quarter, and went on to win the 2002 NBA Finals. The referees were not named, but the Western Conference Finals was the only seven-game series that year.
The document claimed that Donaghy told federal agents that in order to increase television ratings and ticket sales, "top executives of the NBA sought to manipulate games using referees". It also said that NBA officials would tell referees to not call technical fouls on certain players, and states that a referee was privately reprimanded by the league for ejecting a star player in the first quarter of a January 2000 game. Stern denied the accusations, calling Donaghy a "singing, cooperating witness".
The Lakers and Kings split the first two games in Sacramento. Los Angeles raced out to a 36 point first quarter in Game 1 behind 67 percent shooting, and never trailed, paced by Kobe Bryant's 30 point effort and 26 points from Shaquille O'Neal. Chris Webber
had 28 points and 14 rebounds, but the rest of the Kings combined to shoot under 40 percent. Sacramento rebounded to win Game 2, paced behind Webber (21 points and 13 rebounds) and Bibby (20 points). O'Neal had 35 points and 13 rebounds but struggled with foul trouble; Bryant shot only 9-21 from the field and was suffering from a bout with food poisoning. This loss snapped the NBA record 12 game playoff road winning streak for Los Angeles.
The Kings went to Staples Center and dominated Game 3 to wrest the homecourt advantage back to Sacramento, leading by as many as 27 and never trailing. They were again paced by Webber and Bibby, who combined for 50 points, and got solid contributions from Doug Christie
(17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals) and Vlade Divac
(11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks). Other than a brief 3 point barrage in the 4th quarter by the Lakers to cut the lead down to 11, there was not much help provided for O'Neal, who had 20 points and 19 rebounds.
In Game 4, Sacramento again got out to an early start with a 40 point first quarter, as the Kings built a 24-point first half lead. However, faced with the prospect of falling behind 3-1, the Lakers came back to cut the lead to 14 at halftime with a Samaki Walker three pointer at the buzzer that should not have counted, and 7 after three quarters. They would whittle the lead down to 2 on the final possession with a chance to tie or win the game. Bryant drove the ball to the hoop and missed a running jumper. Shaquille O'Neal
got the rebound and missed a layup and Divac intended to knock the ball to a teammate, but instead it wound up going to a wide open Robert Horry at the arc, who drilled a three-pointer over Chris Webber at the buzzer as time ran out and gave the Lakers an improbable victory, which tied the series going back to Sacramento. Horry scored 11 of his 18 points in the 4th quarter, including two more crucial three pointers. O'Neal finished with 27 points and 18 rebounds, Bryant with 25. Divac, Webber and Bibby all finished with 20 or more points for the Kings.
As the series shifted back to Arco for Game 5, Sacramento trailed almost the entire fourth quarter, but a jump shot by Mike Bibby
off a screen with 8.2 seconds left gave the team the lead and was the eventual game winner in a 92-91 win. Bibby scored 23 in all, and Webber had 29 points and 13 rebounds in support. Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points but missed a potential game winner. O'Neal had 28 points, but did not take a shot in the 4th quarter and fouled out
In Game 6, O'Neal scored 41 points and had 17 rebounds. Many calls went against the Kings, fouling out all of their centers for the game. The Lakers went on to win narrowly setting the stage for game seven in Sacramento, with the winner advancing to the NBA Finals. Bryant added 31 points in support. There are allegations that this sixth game was affected by the referees in relationship to the Tim Donaghy scandal
. The Lakers shot 40 free throws overall, a whopping 27 in the fourth quarter alone, and the Kings' big men were plagued with foul trouble (Divac, Webber, Scot Pollard
, and Lawrence Funderburke
were called for 20 fouls, Divac and Pollard both fouling out). Webber nearly had a triple double (26 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists), Bibby scored 23, and Divac had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Washington Post
sports columnist Michael Wilbon
responded to the calls in game 6: "I wrote down in my notebook six calls that were stunningly incorrect, all against Sacramento, all in the fourth quarter when the Lakers made five baskets and 21 foul shots to hold on to their championship." For example, Wilbon pointed out that Kobe Bryant
did not get a foul call after elbowing Mike Bibby
.
Game 7 was a tense and dramatic affair, with 16 ties and 19 lead changes. Two free throws made by Bibby tied the score 100-100 and forced the game into overtime. But after O'Neal made two free throws to give Los Angeles the lead for good, the Kings would commit several crucial miscues down the stretch, eventually lost the game and the series to the Lakers. Sacramento was undone by poor free throw shooting (16-30 from the line) and a horrid 2-20 from behind the 3 point line, and a seeming unwillingness for anyone other than Bibby to take crucial shots down the stretch. Shaq would score 35 and Kobe 30 points in victory as all five Laker starters finished in double figures. Bibby would finish with 29 points and Webber finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Despite Bibby's proclamations after Game 7 that the Kings and Lakers would have "many more years of this to come" , the two teams have not faced each other in the playoffs since - the Lakers won two more NBA championships in 2009 and 2010, while Sacramento has since traded Bibby and failed to make another deep playoff run.
Announcers: For NBC, Mike Breen
would announce Game 1, Marv Albert
Games 3-7; Bill Walton
& Steve Jones
would join them as the analysts for these games. TNT would have Kevin Harlan
, Danny Ainge
, & John Thompson
on hand for Game 2.
(1) New Jersey Nets
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series); met in the 1972 ABA Finals
where the Pacers won 4-2.
Although the Nets won the series in 5, it would be most remarkable for more playoff heroics by Reggie Miller
; Miller banked in a 40-footer at the buzzer to force OT, and then fly in for a dunk over 3 Net defenders with 3.1 seconds left in the extra session to force the 2nd overtime.
(4) Charlotte Hornets vs. (5) Orlando Magic
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
Game 4 is Patrick Ewing
's final NBA game.
(2) Detroit Pistons
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
This series involved two teams that had exceeded expectations during the season. The Detroit Pistons were coming off a year where they had lost 50 games. The Raptors had lost their star forward, Vince Carter, for the remainder of the season. As a result, the Raptors lost 13 straight games without him. Although they looked down and out of playoff contention, the Raptors went on a surge, winning 12 of their last 14 games, locking up the 7th seed. The home team won each game of the series, with the Pistons winning the decisive game 5 by 3 points. Raptors' Guard, Chris Childs, attempted to draw a foul on a three-point shot, instead of passing it to an open Dell Curry. In the post game interview, Childs stated that he thought the team was down by four points, not three. Detroit advanced to face the Boston Celtics in the second round.>
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Score
Record
(DET-TOR)
Venue
TV Time
1
April 21
Toronto
63
Detroit
85
1-0
The Palace of Auburn Hills
, Auburn Hills
TNT 8:30et
2
April 24
Toronto
91
Detroit
96
2-0
The Palace of Auburn Hills
, Auburn Hills
TNT 7:00et
3
April 27
Detroit
84
Toronto
94
2-1
Air Canada Centre
, Toronto
TNT 8:30et
4
April 29
Detroit
83
Toronto
89
2-2
Air Canada Centre
, Toronto
TNT 8:00et
5
May 2
Toronto
82
Detroit
85
3-2
The Palace of Auburn Hills
, Auburn Hills
TBS 8:30et
Detroit wins series 3–2
Game 5 is Hakeem Olajuwon
's final NBA game.
(3) Boston Celtics
Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Eastern Conference Finals
(Boston won 4-1)
This series marked the return of the Celtics to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, and they faced the reigning Eastern Conference champion in the first round. The first two games were played in Boston, where the Celtics won both games resoundingly. The 76ers fought back, however, and with Allen Iverson
scoring 42 points the 76ers won game three and stayed alive. In game four Iverson was slowed down, scoring 26 points on just 9-of-26 shooting, and Antoine Walker
stepped up for the Celtics, scoring 25. But Iverson's play at the end making a layup, scoring off an Eric Snow
steal, and hitting some free throws after Walker drilled a three sealed the victory for the 76ers. This set the stage for a game 5 in Boston to decide the series. The Celtics had control on this game throughout, but the 76ers kept within striking distance into the 4th quarter. But Boston went on an amazing streak of three-pointers, hitting an NBA playoff record nine of them in the 4th quarter and 19 in the game. Paul Pierce
led the way with 46, on 8-10 shooting from downtown, and Boston won in a huge blowout, sending them to the conference semifinals to face second-seed Detroit.
(1) New Jersey Nets
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
(2) Detroit Pistons
Last Playoff Meeting: 1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals
(Detroit won 4-2)
(1) New Jersey Nets
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
The Nets won game one, but Boston came back to steal game two in New Jersey to send the series back to Boston tied 1-1. In game three, the Celtics were down by 21 coming into the 4th quarter, but the Celtics accomplished the biggest comeback in NBA Playoff history as the Celtics outscored the Nets 41-16 in the fourth quarter. The Celtics almost completed another comeback in game four, but the Nets held on for the victory to tie the series at two games apiece. The Nets won games five and six to advance to the team's first of two consecutive NBA finals.
Los Angeles Lakers
This was the third consecutive NBA Finals appearance for the Lakers, and the first in team history for the Nets. In Game 1 the Nets stayed within striking distance, but Shaquille O'Neal
's 36 points and 16 rebounds led the Lakers to victory. In Game 2 the Nets were blown out by 23 points, with O'Neal leading the way again, putting up 40 points and 12 rebounds and coming within 2 assists of a triple double. This brought the series to New Jersey with the Lakers up 2-0. Game 3 was a close matchup with Jason Kidd
, Kenyon Martin
, O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant
all scoring 26 or more points. Bryant and O'Neal's combined 71 was too much for the Nets to handle though, and the Lakers took a dominating 3-0 series lead. In Game 4, O'Neal put up 34 points and the Lakers won the game and the championship, accomplishing the NBA's first three-peat since Michael Jordan
and the Bulls did so in 1998.
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's 2001–02 season. This would be the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; next year's postseason
2003 NBA Playoffs
The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2002-03 NBA season. This postseason was notable for being the first time all series were conducted in a best-of-7 format. It was also the only time in playoff history that no team was swept in a first-round series....
would see those series expanded to a best-of-7 format. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference
Western Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
champion Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
winning their third consecutive championship by sweeping the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
champion New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
4 games to none.
This tournament marked the return of playoff success for the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, who had last made the playoffs in 1995
1995 NBA Playoffs
The 1995 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1994-1995 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets winning their second consecutive NBA championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic...
, and had made their last Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 1988
1988 NBA Playoffs
The 1988 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1987-1988 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons four games to three in the Finals...
. Though they eventually lost to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in 6 (preventing a Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals
Lakers-Celtics rivalry
The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers involves the two most storied basketball franchises in National Basketball Association history. It has been called the best rivalry in the NBA. The two teams have met a record twelve times in the NBA Finals, starting with their first...
), they did manage to create the biggest 4th quarter playoff comeback in Game 3, winning 94-90 after trailing by as much as 21 prior to the fourth quarter.
The playoffs also marked the last appearance of the Charlotte Hornets in the playoffs, as they moved the next year to New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. It was also the last playoff game held at Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte Coliseum
The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium...
(Game 4 of the second round vs. New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
); Charlotte's new team, the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
, played for a season at the Coliseum (without hosting a playoff game) before moving to Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly Bobcats Arena) in 2005
2005-06 NBA season
The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. It began on November 1, 2005 and ran through April 19, 2006...
. The city would not host a playoff game again until 2010
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
.
The playoffs marked the last time NBC and TBS
NBA on TBS
The NBA on TBS debuted in the 1984-1985 season under a four year contract, where they shared the NBA package along with CBS.-Coverage:...
aired NBA games as regular TV partners of the league. The last TBS-aired game under its various contracts was Game 5 of the Lakers-Spurs series, while Game 4 of the NBA Finals marked the last telecast on NBC. TBS and NBC were replaced with ESPN and ABC the following season, both channels being owned by the Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
. TBS has aired some NBA basketball in the ensuing years due to conflicts on TNT.
For the first time in his career, Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
missed the postseason.
The total number of playoff games for the NBA was 70 games including the NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
.
Bracket
Best record in NBA
The Sacramento KingsSacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
clinched the best record in the NBA, and earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when Sacramento lost to the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:- Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(clinched Pacific division) - San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
(clinched Midwest division) - Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
- Dallas MavericksDallas MavericksThe Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
- Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TimberwolvesThe Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
- Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
- Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
- Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Best record in conference
The New Jersey NetsNew Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, and had home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:- New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(clinched Atlantic division) - Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
(clinched Central division) - Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
- Charlotte Hornets
- Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
- Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
- Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
- Indiana PacersIndiana PacersThe Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(1) Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
vs. (8) Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference First Round1999 NBA Playoffs
The 1999 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1998-99 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs by defeating the eighth-seeded Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks four games to one...
(Utah won 3-2)
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (SAC-UTA) |
Venue | TV Time (EST) | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 20 | Utah | 86 | Sacramento | 89 | 1-0 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
NBC 3:00 | Tom Hammond Tom Hammond Tom Hammond is an American sportscaster for NBC Sports television. Hammond is one of the network's staple on-air presenters, along with Bob Costas and Dan Hicks... , Bill Walton Bill Walton William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while... & Steve Jones Steve Jones (basketball) Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones is one of the most esteemed and watched National Basketball Association television analysts.-Basketball career:... |
| 2 | April 23 | Utah | 93 | Sacramento | 86 | 1-1 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
TBS 10:30 | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & P.J. Carlesimo |
| 3 | April 27 | Sacramento | 90 | Utah | 87 | 2-1 | Delta Center EnergySolutions Arena EnergySolutions Arena is an indoor arena, in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, owned by Jazz Basketball Investors, Inc., the estate of Larry H. Miller... |
NBC 3:00 | Marv Albert Marv Albert Marv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called... , Bill Walton Bill Walton William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while... & Steve Jones Steve Jones (basketball) Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones is one of the most esteemed and watched National Basketball Association television analysts.-Basketball career:... |
| 4 | April 27 | Sacramento | 91 | Utah | 86 | 3-1 | Delta Center EnergySolutions Arena EnergySolutions Arena is an indoor arena, in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, owned by Jazz Basketball Investors, Inc., the estate of Larry H. Miller... |
TNT 10:30 | Kevin Harlan Kevin Harlan Kevin Harlan is an American television sports announcer. The son of former Green Bay Packers executive Bob Harlan, he currently broadcasts NFL and college basketball games on CBS. Harlan is also a play-by-play announcer for the NBA on TNT... , John Thompson John Thompson (basketball) John R. Thompson, Jr. is an American former basketball coach for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He is now a professional radio and TV sports commentator... & Danny Ainge Danny Ainge Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.... |
| Sacramento wins series 3–1 |
|||||||||
(2) San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Western Conference Semifinals1982 NBA Playoffs
The 1982 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1981-1982 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers, four games to two in the NBA Finals...
(San Antonio won 4-1)
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (SAS-SEA) |
Venue | TV Time (EST) | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 20 | Seattle | 89 | San Antonio | 110 | 1-0 | Alamodome Alamodome The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S... |
NBC 5:30 | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & P.J. Carlesimo |
| 2 | April 22 | Seattle | 98 | San Antonio | 90 | 1-1 | Alamodome Alamodome The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S... |
TNT 9:30 | Kevin Harlan Kevin Harlan Kevin Harlan is an American television sports announcer. The son of former Green Bay Packers executive Bob Harlan, he currently broadcasts NFL and college basketball games on CBS. Harlan is also a play-by-play announcer for the NBA on TNT... , John Thompson John Thompson (basketball) John R. Thompson, Jr. is an American former basketball coach for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He is now a professional radio and TV sports commentator... & Danny Ainge Danny Ainge Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.... |
| 3 | April 27 | San Antonio | 102 | Seattle | 75 | 2-1 | KeyArena KeyArena KeyArena at Seattle Center , is a multipurpose arena, in Seattle, Washington. It is located north of downtown in the entertainment complex known as Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair, the Century 21 Exposition... |
NBC 5:30 | Tom Hammond Tom Hammond Tom Hammond is an American sportscaster for NBC Sports television. Hammond is one of the network's staple on-air presenters, along with Bob Costas and Dan Hicks... & Matt Guokas Matt Guokas Matthew George "Matt" Guokas, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player and coach.-Playing career:... |
| 4 | May 1 | San Antonio | 79 | Seattle | 91 | 2-2 | KeyArena KeyArena KeyArena at Seattle Center , is a multipurpose arena, in Seattle, Washington. It is located north of downtown in the entertainment complex known as Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair, the Century 21 Exposition... |
TNT 10:30 | |
| 5 | May 3 | Seattle | 78 | San Antonio | 101 | 3-2 | Alamodome Alamodome The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S... |
TNT 9:30 | |
| San Antonio wins series 3–2 |
|||||||||
(3) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (6) Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference First Round2001 NBA Playoffs
The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers...
(Los Angeles won 3-0)
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (LAL-POR) |
Venue | TV Time | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Portland | 87 | Los Angeles | 95 | 1-0 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
NBC 5:30et/2:30pt | Tom Hammond Tom Hammond Tom Hammond is an American sportscaster for NBC Sports television. Hammond is one of the network's staple on-air presenters, along with Bob Costas and Dan Hicks... , Bill Walton Bill Walton William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while... and Steve Jones Steve Jones (basketball) Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones is one of the most esteemed and watched National Basketball Association television analysts.-Basketball career:... |
| 2 | April 25 | Portland | 96 | Los Angeles | 103 | 2-0 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
TNT 10:30et/7:30pt | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... and P.J. Carlesimo |
| 3 | April 28 | Los Angeles | 92 | Portland | 91 | 3-0 | Rose Garden Arena Rose Garden Arena Rose Garden, commonly known as the Rose Garden Arena, is the primary indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is suitable for large indoor events of all sorts, including basketball, ice hockey, rodeos, circuses, conventions, ice shows, concerts, and dramatic productions... |
NBC 5:30et/2:30pt | Tom Hammond Tom Hammond Tom Hammond is an American sportscaster for NBC Sports television. Hammond is one of the network's staple on-air presenters, along with Bob Costas and Dan Hicks... , Bill Walton Bill Walton William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while... and Steve Jones Steve Jones (basketball) Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones is one of the most esteemed and watched National Basketball Association television analysts.-Basketball career:... |
| Los Angeles wins series 3–0 |
|||||||||
The Lakers sweep the Blazers thanks to a series-winning 3 by Robert Horry
Robert Horry
Robert Keith Horry Jr. is a retired American basketball player and current sports commentator. He played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association , winning seven championships, the most of any player not to have played on the 1960s Boston Celtics...
with 2.1 seconds remaining in Game 3.
(4) Dallas MavericksDallas MavericksThe Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
vs. (5) Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TimberwolvesThe Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Werner Nowitzki is a German professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association...
was virtually unstoppable in this series, averaging around 33 points and 16 rebounds per game.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (DAL-MIN) |
Venue | TV Time | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Minnesota | 94 | Dallas | 101 | 1-0 | American Airlines Center American Airlines Center The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL.... |
NBC 3:00et/2:00ct | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & P.J. Carlesimo |
| 2 | April 24 | Minnesota | 110 | Dallas | 122 | 2-0 | American Airlines Center American Airlines Center The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL.... |
TNT 9:30et/8:30ct | Kevin Harlan Kevin Harlan Kevin Harlan is an American television sports announcer. The son of former Green Bay Packers executive Bob Harlan, he currently broadcasts NFL and college basketball games on CBS. Harlan is also a play-by-play announcer for the NBA on TNT... , Danny Ainge Danny Ainge Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.... & John Thompson John Thompson (basketball) John R. Thompson, Jr. is an American former basketball coach for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He is now a professional radio and TV sports commentator... |
| 3 | April 28 | Dallas | 115 | Minnesota | 102 | 3-0 | Target Center Target Center The Target Center is an arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is sponsored by Target Corporation. The arena has a capacity of 20,500 people. It contains 702 club seats and 68 suites.... |
NBC 3:00et/2:00ct | Bob Costas Bob Costas Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:... & Mike Dunleavy, Sr. Mike Dunleavy, Sr. Michael Joseph Dunleavy is a retired American professional basketball player, former head coach, and former general manager of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He is the father of Indiana Pacers player Mike Dunleavy, Jr.-Early life:... |
| Dallas wins series 3–0 |
|||||||||
(1) Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
vs. (4) Dallas MavericksDallas MavericksThe Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (SAC-DAL) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 4 | Dallas | 91 | Sacramento | 108 | 1-0 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
NBC 6:30et/3:30pt |
| 2 | May 6 | Dallas | 110 | Sacramento | 102 | 1-1 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
TNT 9:00et/6:00pt |
| 3 | May 9 | Sacramento | 125 | Dallas | 119 | 2-1 | American Airlines Center American Airlines Center The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL.... |
TNT 9:30et/8:30ct |
| 4 | May 11 | Sacramento | 115 | Dallas | 113 | 3-1 | American Airlines Center American Airlines Center The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL.... |
NBC 3:30et/2:30ct |
| 5 | May 13 | Dallas | 101 | Sacramento | 114 | 4-1 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
TNT 9:00et/6:00pt |
| Sacramento wins series 4–1 |
||||||||
(2) San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
vs. (3) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference Finals2001 NBA Playoffs
The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers...
(Los Angeles won 4-0)
The Spurs led going into the fourth quarter of all five games, yet were able to win only one. Kobe Bryant would pace Los Angeles to two crucial victories in the Alamodome with 31 points in Game 3 and a go-ahead game winning bucket in Game 4, and would offset the steady production of Tim Duncan (who had a double double in all 5 games including 34 points and 25 rebounds in the series finale) with his fourth quarter heroics. It would be San Antonio's final two home games in the Alamodome, as they would move into the SBC Center (now the AT&T Center
AT&T Center
AT&T Center is an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, USA. It seats 18,581, for basketball , 13,800, for ice hockey and 19,000, for concerts or religious gatherings and contains 2,018 club seats, 50 luxury suites and 32 bathrooms .It was completed in 2002, as the SBC...
) the following year.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (LAL-SAS) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5 | San Antonio | 80 | Los Angeles | 86 | 1-0 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
NBC 5:30et/2:30pt |
| 2 | May 7 | San Antonio | 88 | Los Angeles | 85 | 1-1 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
TBS 10:30et/7:30pt |
| 3 | May 10 | Los Angeles | 99 | San Antonio | 89 | 2-1 | Alamodome Alamodome The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S... |
TNT 9:30et/8:30ct |
| 4 | May 12 | Los Angeles | 87 | San Antonio | 85 | 3-1 | Alamodome Alamodome The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S... |
NBC 5:30et/4:30ct |
| 5 | May 14 | San Antonio | 87 | Los Angeles | 93 | 4-1 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
TBS 10:30et/7:30pt |
| Los Angeles wins series 4–1 |
||||||||
(1) Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
vs. (3) Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference Semifinals2001 NBA Playoffs
The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers...
(Los Angeles won 4-0)
The 2002 Western Conference Finals is widely regarded as one of the classic series in NBA history, with the final four games coming down to the final seconds. Two games were decided on game winning shots and Game 7 was decided in overtime. It was, however, marred by corruption allegations. On June 10, 2008, convicted NBA referee Tim Donaghy
Tim Donaghy
Tim Donaghy is a former professional basketball referee who worked in the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons, from 1994 to 2007. During his career in the NBA, Donaghy officiated in 772 regular season games and 20 playoff games...
's attorney filed a court document alleging, among other things, that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings was fixed by two referees. The letter states that Donaghy "learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew Referees A and F to be 'company men', always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA's interest to add another game to the series." The Lakers won Game 6, attempting 18 more free throws than the Kings in the fourth quarter, and went on to win the 2002 NBA Finals. The referees were not named, but the Western Conference Finals was the only seven-game series that year.
The document claimed that Donaghy told federal agents that in order to increase television ratings and ticket sales, "top executives of the NBA sought to manipulate games using referees". It also said that NBA officials would tell referees to not call technical fouls on certain players, and states that a referee was privately reprimanded by the league for ejecting a star player in the first quarter of a January 2000 game. Stern denied the accusations, calling Donaghy a "singing, cooperating witness".
The Lakers and Kings split the first two games in Sacramento. Los Angeles raced out to a 36 point first quarter in Game 1 behind 67 percent shooting, and never trailed, paced by Kobe Bryant's 30 point effort and 26 points from Shaquille O'Neal. Chris Webber
Chris Webber
Mayce Edward Christopher "Chris" Webber, III , nicknamed C-Webb, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, a former All-NBA First Teamer, a former NBA Rookie of the Year, and a former #1 overall NBA Draftee...
had 28 points and 14 rebounds, but the rest of the Kings combined to shoot under 40 percent. Sacramento rebounded to win Game 2, paced behind Webber (21 points and 13 rebounds) and Bibby (20 points). O'Neal had 35 points and 13 rebounds but struggled with foul trouble; Bryant shot only 9-21 from the field and was suffering from a bout with food poisoning. This loss snapped the NBA record 12 game playoff road winning streak for Los Angeles.
The Kings went to Staples Center and dominated Game 3 to wrest the homecourt advantage back to Sacramento, leading by as many as 27 and never trailing. They were again paced by Webber and Bibby, who combined for 50 points, and got solid contributions from Doug Christie
Doug Christie (basketball)
Douglas Dale Christie is a retired American basketball player.-Early life:Christie is the son of John Malone and Norma Christie...
(17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals) and Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac is a retired Yugoslav and Serbian professional basketball player who spent most of his career in the NBA. At , he played center and was known for his passing skills...
(11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks). Other than a brief 3 point barrage in the 4th quarter by the Lakers to cut the lead down to 11, there was not much help provided for O'Neal, who had 20 points and 19 rebounds.
In Game 4, Sacramento again got out to an early start with a 40 point first quarter, as the Kings built a 24-point first half lead. However, faced with the prospect of falling behind 3-1, the Lakers came back to cut the lead to 14 at halftime with a Samaki Walker three pointer at the buzzer that should not have counted, and 7 after three quarters. They would whittle the lead down to 2 on the final possession with a chance to tie or win the game. Bryant drove the ball to the hoop and missed a running jumper. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
got the rebound and missed a layup and Divac intended to knock the ball to a teammate, but instead it wound up going to a wide open Robert Horry at the arc, who drilled a three-pointer over Chris Webber at the buzzer as time ran out and gave the Lakers an improbable victory, which tied the series going back to Sacramento. Horry scored 11 of his 18 points in the 4th quarter, including two more crucial three pointers. O'Neal finished with 27 points and 18 rebounds, Bryant with 25. Divac, Webber and Bibby all finished with 20 or more points for the Kings.
As the series shifted back to Arco for Game 5, Sacramento trailed almost the entire fourth quarter, but a jump shot by Mike Bibby
Mike Bibby
Michael "Mike" Bibby is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. He is a 6'2" point guard, and he attended Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona and played collegiately at the University of Arizona. In...
off a screen with 8.2 seconds left gave the team the lead and was the eventual game winner in a 92-91 win. Bibby scored 23 in all, and Webber had 29 points and 13 rebounds in support. Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points but missed a potential game winner. O'Neal had 28 points, but did not take a shot in the 4th quarter and fouled out
In Game 6, O'Neal scored 41 points and had 17 rebounds. Many calls went against the Kings, fouling out all of their centers for the game. The Lakers went on to win narrowly setting the stage for game seven in Sacramento, with the winner advancing to the NBA Finals. Bryant added 31 points in support. There are allegations that this sixth game was affected by the referees in relationship to the Tim Donaghy scandal
2007 NBA betting scandal
The 2007 NBA betting scandal was a scandal involving the National Basketball Association and accusations that an NBA referee has bet on games...
. The Lakers shot 40 free throws overall, a whopping 27 in the fourth quarter alone, and the Kings' big men were plagued with foul trouble (Divac, Webber, Scot Pollard
Scot Pollard
Scot L. Pollard is a retired American professional basketball player. In an eleven-year NBA career, he played for five teams, spending the bulk of his career with the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers...
, and Lawrence Funderburke
Lawrence Funderburke
Lawrence Damon Funderburke is a retired American basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Basketball career:...
were called for 20 fouls, Divac and Pollard both fouling out). Webber nearly had a triple double (26 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists), Bibby scored 23, and Divac had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
sports columnist Michael Wilbon
Michael Wilbon
Michael Ray Wilbon is a former sportswriter and columnist for the Washington Post and current ESPN commentator. He serves as an analyst for ESPN and co-hosts Pardon the Interruption on ESPN with former Post writer Tony Kornheiser, and has been doing so since 2001.-Career:Wilbon began working for...
responded to the calls in game 6: "I wrote down in my notebook six calls that were stunningly incorrect, all against Sacramento, all in the fourth quarter when the Lakers made five baskets and 21 foul shots to hold on to their championship." For example, Wilbon pointed out that Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
did not get a foul call after elbowing Mike Bibby
Mike Bibby
Michael "Mike" Bibby is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. He is a 6'2" point guard, and he attended Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona and played collegiately at the University of Arizona. In...
.
Game 7 was a tense and dramatic affair, with 16 ties and 19 lead changes. Two free throws made by Bibby tied the score 100-100 and forced the game into overtime. But after O'Neal made two free throws to give Los Angeles the lead for good, the Kings would commit several crucial miscues down the stretch, eventually lost the game and the series to the Lakers. Sacramento was undone by poor free throw shooting (16-30 from the line) and a horrid 2-20 from behind the 3 point line, and a seeming unwillingness for anyone other than Bibby to take crucial shots down the stretch. Shaq would score 35 and Kobe 30 points in victory as all five Laker starters finished in double figures. Bibby would finish with 29 points and Webber finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Despite Bibby's proclamations after Game 7 that the Kings and Lakers would have "many more years of this to come" , the two teams have not faced each other in the playoffs since - the Lakers won two more NBA championships in 2009 and 2010, while Sacramento has since traded Bibby and failed to make another deep playoff run.
Announcers: For NBC, Mike Breen
Mike Breen
Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network...
would announce Game 1, Marv Albert
Marv Albert
Marv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called...
Games 3-7; Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
& Steve Jones
Steve Jones (basketball)
Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones is one of the most esteemed and watched National Basketball Association television analysts.-Basketball career:...
would join them as the analysts for these games. TNT would have Kevin Harlan
Kevin Harlan
Kevin Harlan is an American television sports announcer. The son of former Green Bay Packers executive Bob Harlan, he currently broadcasts NFL and college basketball games on CBS. Harlan is also a play-by-play announcer for the NBA on TNT...
, Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge
Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics....
, & John Thompson
John Thompson (basketball)
John R. Thompson, Jr. is an American former basketball coach for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He is now a professional radio and TV sports commentator...
on hand for Game 2.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (SAC-LAL) |
Venue | TV Time (EST) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 18 | Los Angeles | 106 | Sacramento | 99 | 0-1 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
NBC 6:30 | |
| 2 | May 20 | Los Angeles | 90 | Sacramento | 96 | 1-1 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
TNT 9:00 | |
| 3 | May 24 | Sacramento | 103 | Los Angeles | 90 | 2-1 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
NBC 9:00 | |
| 4 | May 26 | Sacramento | 99 | Los Angeles | 100 | 2-2 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
NBC 5:30 | |
| 5 | May 28 | Los Angeles | 91 | Sacramento | 92 | 3-2 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
NBC 9:00 | |
| 6 | May 31 | Sacramento | 102 | Los Angeles | 106 | 3-3 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... |
NBC 9:30 | |
| 7* | June 2 | Los Angeles | 112 | Sacramento | 106 | 3-4 | ARCO Arena ARCO Arena Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:... |
NBC 7:30 | |
| Los Angeles wins Western Conference Championship 4–3 | |||||||||
(1) New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (8) Indiana PacersIndiana PacersThe Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series); met in the 1972 ABA Finals1972 ABA Playoffs
The 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1971-1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
where the Pacers won 4-2.
Although the Nets won the series in 5, it would be most remarkable for more playoff heroics by Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller
Reginald Wayne "Reggie" Miller is a retired American professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year National Basketball Association career with the Indiana Pacers...
; Miller banked in a 40-footer at the buzzer to force OT, and then fly in for a dunk over 3 Net defenders with 3.1 seconds left in the extra session to force the 2nd overtime.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (NJN-IND) |
Venue | TV | Time (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 20 | Indiana | 89 | New Jersey | 83 | 0-1 | Continental Airlines Arena Continental Airlines Arena Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000... , New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
NBC | 12:30 |
| 2 | April 22 | Indiana | 79 | New Jersey | 95 | 1-1 | Continental Airlines Arena Continental Airlines Arena Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000... , New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
TNT | 7:00 |
| 3 | April 26 | New Jersey | 85 | Indiana | 84 | 2-1 | Conseco Fieldhouse Conseco Fieldhouse Conseco Fieldhouse is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Opened in November 1999 to replace Market Square Arena, it is home to the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association... , Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S... |
TNT | 8:30 |
| 4 | May 1 | New Jersey | 74 | Indiana | 98 | 2-2 | Conseco Fieldhouse Conseco Fieldhouse Conseco Fieldhouse is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Opened in November 1999 to replace Market Square Arena, it is home to the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association... , Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S... |
TNT | 7:00 |
| 5** | May 2 | Indiana | 109 | New Jersey | 120 | 3-2 | Continental Airlines Arena Continental Airlines Arena Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000... , New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
TNT | 7:00 |
| New Jersey wins series 3–2 |
|||||||||
(4) Charlotte Hornets vs. (5) Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (CHA-ORL) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 20 | Orlando | 79 | Charlotte | 80 | 1-0 | Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte Coliseum The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium... , Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... |
TNT 8:30et |
| 2* | April 23 | Orlando | 111 | Charlotte | 103 | 1-1 | Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte Coliseum The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium... , Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... |
TBS 8:00et |
| 3* | April 27 | Charlotte | 110 | Orlando | 100 | 2-1 | TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando Orlando, Florida Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States... |
NBC 12:30et |
| 4 | April 30 | Charlotte | 102 | Orlando | 85 | 3-1 | TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando Orlando, Florida Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States... |
TBS 8:30et |
| Charlotte wins series 3–1 |
||||||||
Game 4 is Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
's final NBA game.
(2) Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
vs. (7) Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)(DET-TOR)
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
, Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
, Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...
Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
, Toronto
Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
, Toronto
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
, Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...
Game 5 is Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008,...
's final NBA game.
(3) Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Eastern Conference Finals1985 NBA Playoffs
The 1985 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1984-85 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, four games to two, in the NBA Finals...
(Boston won 4-1)
This series marked the return of the Celtics to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, and they faced the reigning Eastern Conference champion in the first round. The first two games were played in Boston, where the Celtics won both games resoundingly. The 76ers fought back, however, and with Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
scoring 42 points the 76ers won game three and stayed alive. In game four Iverson was slowed down, scoring 26 points on just 9-of-26 shooting, and Antoine Walker
Antoine Walker
Antoine Devon Walker is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League...
stepped up for the Celtics, scoring 25. But Iverson's play at the end making a layup, scoring off an Eric Snow
Eric Snow
Eric Snow is a retired American professional basketball player and businessman. He is now an analyst on NBA TV and an announcer for the Philadelphia 76ers.-High school career:...
steal, and hitting some free throws after Walker drilled a three sealed the victory for the 76ers. This set the stage for a game 5 in Boston to decide the series. The Celtics had control on this game throughout, but the 76ers kept within striking distance into the 4th quarter. But Boston went on an amazing streak of three-pointers, hitting an NBA playoff record nine of them in the 4th quarter and 19 in the game. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce
Paul Anthony Pierce , nicknamed The Truth, is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He earned First Team All-America honors in his junior year at Kansas, and has been a starter every season since being selected by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the...
led the way with 46, on 8-10 shooting from downtown, and Boston won in a huge blowout, sending them to the conference semifinals to face second-seed Detroit.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (BOS-PHI) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Philadelphia | 82 | Boston | 92 | 1-0 | FleetCenter TD Banknorth Garden TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is named after its sponsor, TD Bank, N.A. and is often simply referred to by local Bostonians as, The Garden, The Fleet Center, or the traditional Boston Garden... , Boston |
NBC 12:30et |
| 2 | April 25 | Philadelphia | 85 | Boston | 93 | 2-0 | FleetCenter TD Banknorth Garden TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is named after its sponsor, TD Bank, N.A. and is often simply referred to by local Bostonians as, The Garden, The Fleet Center, or the traditional Boston Garden... , Boston |
TNT 8:00et |
| 3 | April 28 | Boston | 103 | Philadelphia | 108 | 2-1 | First Union Center Wachovia Center The Wells Fargo Center is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... , Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... |
NBC 12:30et |
| 4 | May 1 | Boston | 81 | Philadelphia | 83 | 2-2 | First Union Center Wachovia Center The Wells Fargo Center is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... , Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... |
TNT 8:00et |
| 5 | May 3 | Philadelphia | 87 | Boston | 120 | 3-2 | FleetCenter TD Banknorth Garden TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is named after its sponsor, TD Bank, N.A. and is often simply referred to by local Bostonians as, The Garden, The Fleet Center, or the traditional Boston Garden... , Boston |
TNT 7:00et |
| Boston wins series 3–2 | ||||||||
(1) New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (4) Charlotte Hornets
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (NJN-CHA) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5 | Charlotte | 93 | New Jersey | 99 | 1-0 | Continental Airlines Arena Continental Airlines Arena Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000... , New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
NBC 12:30et |
| 2 | May 7 | Charlotte | 88 | New Jersey | 102 | 2-0 | Continental Airlines Arena Continental Airlines Arena Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000... , New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
TBS 8:00et |
| 3 | May 9 | New Jersey | 97 | Charlotte | 115 | 2-1 | Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte Coliseum The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium... , Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... |
TNT 7:00et |
| 4 | May 12 | New Jersey | 89 | Charlotte | 79 | 3-1 | Charlotte Coliseum Charlotte Coliseum The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium... , Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... |
NBC 12:30et |
| 5 | May 15 | Charlotte | 95 | New Jersey | 103 | 4-1 | Continental Airlines Arena Continental Airlines Arena Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000... , New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
TNT 8:00et |
| New Jersey wins series 4–1 |
||||||||
(2) Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
vs. (3) Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
Last Playoff Meeting: 1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals1991 NBA Playoffs
The 1991 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1990–91 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their first NBA championship via a four-games-to-one victory over the Western Conference champion Los...
(Detroit won 4-2)
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (DET-BOS) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5 | Boston | 86 | Detroit | 94 | 1-0 | The Palace of Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association... , Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:... |
NBC 3:00et |
| 2 | May 8 | Boston | 85 | Detroit | 77 | 1-1 | The Palace of Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association... , Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:... |
TNT 8:00et |
| 3 | May 10 | Detroit | 64 | Boston | 66 | 1-2 | FleetCenter TD Banknorth Garden TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is named after its sponsor, TD Bank, N.A. and is often simply referred to by local Bostonians as, The Garden, The Fleet Center, or the traditional Boston Garden... , Boston |
TNT 7:00et |
| 4 | May 12 | Detroit | 79 | Boston | 90 | 1-3 | FleetCenter TD Banknorth Garden TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is named after its sponsor, TD Bank, N.A. and is often simply referred to by local Bostonians as, The Garden, The Fleet Center, or the traditional Boston Garden... , Boston |
NBC 3:00et |
| 5 | May 14 | Boston | 90 | Detroit | 81 | 1-4 | The Palace of Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association... , Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:... |
TBS 8:00et |
| Boston wins series 4–1 |
||||||||
(1) New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. (3) Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)The Nets won game one, but Boston came back to steal game two in New Jersey to send the series back to Boston tied 1-1. In game three, the Celtics were down by 21 coming into the 4th quarter, but the Celtics accomplished the biggest comeback in NBA Playoff history as the Celtics outscored the Nets 41-16 in the fourth quarter. The Celtics almost completed another comeback in game four, but the Nets held on for the victory to tie the series at two games apiece. The Nets won games five and six to advance to the team's first of two consecutive NBA finals.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (NJN-BOS) |
Venue | TV Time | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 19 | Boston | 97 | New Jersey | 104 | 1-0 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
NBC 5:30et | Marv Albert Marv Albert Marv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called... & PJ Carlesimo |
| 2 | May 21 | Boston | 93 | New Jersey | 86 | 1-1 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
TNT 8:00et | Dick Stockton Dick Stockton Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:... & Hubie Brown Hubie Brown Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years... |
| 3 | May 25 | New Jersey | 90 | Boston | 94 | 1-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 5:30et | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & PJ Carlesimo |
| 4 | May 27 | New Jersey | 94 | Boston | 92 | 2-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 5:30et | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & PJ Carlesimo |
| 5 | May 29 | Boston | 92 | New Jersey | 103 | 3-2 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
NBC 9:00et | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & PJ Carlesimo |
| 6 | May 31 | New Jersey | 96 | Boston | 88 | 4-2 | FleetCenter, Boston | NBC 7:00et | Mike Breen Mike Breen Michael "Mike" Breen is a play-by-play commentator for the NBA on ABC and the lead commentator for New York Knicks games on the MSG network... & PJ Carlesimo |
| New Jersey wins Eastern Conference Championship series 4–2 | |||||||||
Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
vs. New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
This was the third consecutive NBA Finals appearance for the Lakers, and the first in team history for the Nets. In Game 1 the Nets stayed within striking distance, but Shaquille O'NealShaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
's 36 points and 16 rebounds led the Lakers to victory. In Game 2 the Nets were blown out by 23 points, with O'Neal leading the way again, putting up 40 points and 12 rebounds and coming within 2 assists of a triple double. This brought the series to New Jersey with the Lakers up 2-0. Game 3 was a close matchup with Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
, Kenyon Martin
Kenyon Martin
Kenyon Lee Martin is an American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "K-Mart", he plays for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China. He was selected first overall in the 2000 NBA Draft, and has played in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets...
, O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
all scoring 26 or more points. Bryant and O'Neal's combined 71 was too much for the Nets to handle though, and the Lakers took a dominating 3-0 series lead. In Game 4, O'Neal put up 34 points and the Lakers won the game and the championship, accomplishing the NBA's first three-peat since Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and the Bulls did so in 1998.
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record (LAL-NJ) |
Venue | TV Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 5 | New Jersey | 94 | Los Angeles | 99 | 1-0 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... , Los Angeles, California Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... |
NBC 9:00et/6:00pt |
| 2 | June 7 | New Jersey | 83 | Los Angeles | 106 | 2-0 | Staples Center Staples Center Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles... , Los Angeles, California Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... |
NBC 9:00et/6:00pt |
| 3 | June 9 | Los Angeles | 106 | New Jersey | 103 | 3-0 | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
NBC 8:30et/5:30pt |
| 4 | June 12 | Los Angeles | 113 | New Jersey | 107 | 4-0 | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
NBC 9:00et/6:00pt |
| Los Angeles wins NBA Championship series 4–0 | ||||||||