2001 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 defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 1. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.
Article
2001 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 defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 1. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.
Overview
2001 NBA playoffs
The Dallas Mavericks made the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1990NBAplayoffs). Along the way they had many abysmal seasons, including back–to–back years with 11 and 13 wins between 1993 and 1994.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the postseason with an eight-game winning streak, while the Milwaukee Bucks entered the playoffs as division champions for the first time since (/wiki/1986NBAplayoffs).
For the first time since (/wiki/1997NBAplayoffs), all four late 80's expansion teams (Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, and Minnesota) made the playoffs. As of 2024, this remains the most recent occurrence of all four expansion teams making the playoffs.
With their series win over the Orlando Magic, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first playoff series since (/wiki/1989NBAplayoffs).
With their 3–2 series win over the Utah Jazz in the first round, the Dallas Mavericks won their first playoff series since (/wiki/1988NBAplayoffs). This also marked the first time since (/wiki/1995NBAPlayoffs) that the Jazz failed to advance past the first round.
The Sacramento Kings won their first playoff series since (/wiki/1981NBAplayoffs) (when they were the Kansas City Kings) and the first since moving to Sacramento. The Toronto Raptors also won their first playoff series in franchise history with their 3–2 first round victory over the New York Knicks. They would not win another playoff series until (/wiki/2016NBAPlayoffs).
For the first time since (/wiki/1991NBAplayoffs), the Knicks failed to win a first–round playoff series. Coincidentally, this also marked the first time since 1996 that the Heat and the Knicks did not meet in the playoffs as both teams were eliminated in the first round by the Charlotte Hornets and the Toronto Raptors, respectively. The Heat and the Knicks would not return to the playoffs until (/wiki/2004NBAPlayoffs).
2001 also marked the closest the Charlotte Hornets came to making the Eastern Conference Finals, taking a 3–2 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks before bowing out in seven games. As of 2024, the Hornets were one of two active teams (the other being the New Orleans Pelicans) to never advance to the Conference Finals. After eliminating the Hornets, the Milwaukee Bucks made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since (/wiki/1986NBAplayoffs). For the Bucks, this was their most recent playoff series win until (/wiki/2019NBAplayoffs).
The Western Conference Semi–Finals series between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks also marked the start of the Mavericks–Spurs rivalry. The Spurs would win this playoff series (along with subsequent series victories in 2003 and 2010), while the Mavericks won in 2006 and 2009. Game 4 of the series was the last NBA game ever played at Reunion Arena, as the Mavericks moved to the American Airlines Center the following season.
With their Western Conference Finals sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers went 11–0 through the first three rounds, extending their winning streak to 19 games (regular season and playoffs)). The Lakers also equaled the previous records set by their 1989 team by winning their first 11 post–season games and sweeping three series in the post-season. Their playoff dominance would be bested after the first round of playoffs was extended to a best of seven format instead of the best of five in the 2003 NBA playoffs by the 2016–17 Golden State Warriors who would go 16–1 on their way to their fifth championship.
With their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Philadelphia 76ers made the NBA Finals for the first time since 1983, when Moses Malone and Julius Erving led the (/wiki/1983NBAplayoffs) team to the NBA title (coincidentally, last defeating the Lakers) in the famous "fo', fo', fo'" year (it ended up being "fo', fi', fo'", as Philadelphia lost one second-round game to the Milwaukee Bucks that year). With the loss, the Bucks would not return to the Conference Finals until 2019.
Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals was extremely notable for two things.
• Allen Iverson's step over Tyronn Lue • The Philadelphia 76ers giving the Lakers their only loss of the postseason (107–101 in Overtime).
With their Game 5 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers won their 13th NBA championship. With the win, the Lakers put together the most dominant postseason in NBA history, going 15–1. They set many records, including going undefeated in regulation and on the road (finishing 8–0 in the latter category). They were also the second NBA champion to defeat four 50–win or better teams on their way to the title as the Rockets did it first in (/wiki/1995NBAplayoffs).
Bracket
2001 NBA playoffs
<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>First Round</th><th></th><th></th><th>Conference Semifinals</th><th></th><th></th><th>Conference Finals</th><th></th><th></th><th>NBA Finals</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E8</td><td>Indiana</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Toronto</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E4</td><td>New York</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Toronto</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Eastern Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Milwaukee</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Miami</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Charlotte</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Charlotte</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Milwaukee</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Milwaukee</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E7</td><td>Orlando</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W1</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Dallas</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W4</td><td>Utah</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Dallas</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Western Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Sacramento</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W6</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Sacramento</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W7</td><td>Portland</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Playoff qualifying
Best record in NBA
The San Antonio Spurs clinched the best record in the NBA, and they earned home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home-court advantage for the NBA Finals. San Antonio's 58 games remain tied for the lowest for a team with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, being equal to the 2023 Milwaukee Bucks.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:
• San Antonio Spurs – Midwest Division champions (58–24) • Los Angeles Lakers – Pacific Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions, NBA regular season champions (56–26) • Sacramento Kings (55–27) • Utah Jazz (53–29, 2–2 head-to-head vs. DAL, 14–10 record vs. Midwest Division, 35–17 record vs. Western Conference) • Dallas Mavericks (53–29, 2–2 head-to-head vs. UTA, 14–10 record vs. Midwest Division, 30–22 record vs. Western Conference) • Phoenix Suns (51–31) • Portland Trail Blazers (50–32) • Minnesota Timberwolves (47–35)
Best record in conference
The Philadelphia 76ers 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:
• Philadelphia 76ers – Atlantic Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions (56–26) • Milwaukee Bucks – Central Division champions (52–30) • Miami Heat (50–32) • New York Knicks (48–34) • Toronto Raptors (47–35) • Charlotte Hornets (46–36) • Orlando Magic (43–39) • Indiana Pacers (41–41)
First round
2001 NBA playoffs
Note: Times are EDT (UTC−4) as listed by the NBA.
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
• In Game 1, Reggie Miller hit the game-winning 3 with 2.9 seconds left.
<table><thead><tr><th>Philadelphia won 3–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 28, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 86, Indiana Pacers 81</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>April 1, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 93, Philadelphia 76ers 104</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>April 17, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 111, Indiana Pacers 105 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pacers winning two of the first three meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 0, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (7) Orlando Magic
• In Game 3, Ray Allen sends the game to overtime with a dunk over Tracy McGrady with 3.5 seconds left.
<table><thead><tr><th>Milwaukee won 4–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 27, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 104, Orlando Magic 95</td></tr><tr><td>TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>December 26, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 77, Milwaukee Bucks 89</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>March 23, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 103, Milwaukee Bucks 115</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>April 16, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 101, Orlando Magic 89</td></tr><tr><td>TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, Florida</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Bucks and the Magic.
(3) Miami Heat vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 3, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 79, Charlotte Hornets 83</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr><tr><td>November 14, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 86, Miami Heat 89 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>December 20, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 56, Charlotte Hornets 65</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr><tr><td>April 6, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 76, Miami Heat 81</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Heat and the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats franchise.
(4) New York Knicks vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
<table><thead><tr><th>Toronto won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 25, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors 79, New York Knicks 75</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>December 14, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 68, Toronto Raptors 70</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto</td></tr><tr><td>March 4, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 88, Toronto Raptors 98</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto</td></tr><tr><td>March 15, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors 72, New York Knicks 88</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting. This was the first-ever playoff series win for the Raptors.
<table><thead><tr><th>New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 3, Toronto Raptors 0</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 2, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 91, San Antonio Spurs 103</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>November 17, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 94, Minnesota Timberwolves 99 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis</td></tr><tr><td>February 16, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 91, Minnesota Timberwolves 85</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis</td></tr><tr><td>March 14, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 100, San Antonio Spurs 106 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>October 31, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 96, Portland Trail Blazers 86</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>December 13, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 86, Portland Trail Blazers 96</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>December 25, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 109, Los Angeles Lakers 104</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>April 15, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 100, Los Angeles Lakers 105</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning seven of the first nine meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 7–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1977</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 0, Portland Trail Blazers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1977 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Portland Trail Blazers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Portland Trail Blazers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 3</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Western Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(3) Sacramento Kings vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
<table><thead><tr><th>Sacramento won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 1, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 98, Sacramento Kings 105</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>January 2, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 117, Sacramento Kings 121 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>March 7, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 100, Phoenix Suns 89</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>April 15, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 86, Phoenix Suns 88</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning two of the first three meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Phoenix leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1979</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 4, Kansas City Kings 2</td></tr><tr><td>1979 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 2, Kansas City Kings 1</td></tr><tr><td>1980 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, Kansas City Kings 4</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
• In Game 5, Calvin Booth made the series winning layup with 9.6 seconds left. The Mavs would then not only become the 8th team in playoff history to overcome an 0–2 deficit, but also win their first playoff series since 1988.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 4, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 112, Dallas Mavericks 106</td></tr><tr><td>Reunion Arena, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>November 20, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 107, Utah Jazz 98</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 98, Utah Jazz 90</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>April 7, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 116, Dallas Mavericks 103</td></tr><tr><td>Reunion Arena, Dallas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Mavericks winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Dallas leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 3, Utah Jazz 1</td></tr><tr><td>1986 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference semifinals
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
• 76ers ended a 16-year drought by advancing to the conference finals when Vince Carter's long jumper at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
<table><thead><tr><th>Toronto won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 1, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors 98, Philadelphia 76ers 104</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>January 21, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors 110, Philadelphia 76ers 106 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>January 30, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 89, Toronto Raptors 96</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr><tr><td>April 3, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 85, Toronto Raptors 100</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the 76ers and the Raptors.
(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets
<table><thead><tr><th>Charlotte won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 24, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 106, Milwaukee Bucks 90</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>January 19, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 105, Charlotte Hornets 98</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr><tr><td>February 17, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 103, Milwaukee Bucks 93</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>March 10, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 90, Charlotte Hornets 100</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Hornets and the Bucks.
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 10, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 77, Dallas Mavericks 79</td></tr><tr><td>Reunion Arena, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>February 13, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 92, San Antonio Spurs 104</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>February 24, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 107, Dallas Mavericks 104</td></tr><tr><td>Reunion Arena, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>April 10, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 79, San Antonio Spurs 91</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Mavericks and the Spurs.
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Sacramento Kings
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 16, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 112, Sacramento Kings 110 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>February 4, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 94, Los Angeles Lakers 100</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>March 25, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 84, Sacramento Kings 72</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>March 28, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 108, Los Angeles Lakers 84</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning seven of the first eight meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 7–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1949</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 0</td></tr><tr><td>1949 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1951</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 1, Rochester Royals 3</td></tr><tr><td>1951 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1952</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 3, Rochester Royals 1</td></tr><tr><td>1952 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1954</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 1, Rochester Royals 0</td></tr><tr><td>1954 Western Division Round Robin Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1954</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 1</td></tr><tr><td>1954 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1955</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 1</td></tr><tr><td>1955 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Kansas City Kings 0</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Sacramento Kings 2</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference finals
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>February 13, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 107, Milwaukee Bucks 104</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>February 26, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 98, Philadelphia 76ers 91</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>March 17, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 78, Milwaukee Bucks 87</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 78, Philadelphia 76ers 90</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning five of the first eight meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Philadelphia leads 5–3 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1970</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 4, Philadelphia 76ers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1970 Eastern Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 3, Philadelphia 76ers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 2, Philadelphia 76ers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 1, Philadelphia 76ers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 0, Philadelphia 76ers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 4, Philadelphia 76ers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1986 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 3, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 0, Philadelphia 76ers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 8, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 81, San Antonio Spurs 91</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>December 1, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 100, Los Angeles Lakers 109</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>February 21, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 101, San Antonio Spurs 99</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>March 9, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 93, Los Angeles Lakers 89 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning four of the first six meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 4–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1986 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 0, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
NBA Finals: (W2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E1) Philadelphia 76ers
2001 NBA playoffs
• In Game 1, Allen Iverson scored 48 points in his first-ever Finals game as the 76ers ended Lakers' 11-game playoff winning streak (19 overall) and ended the Lakers' perfect playoff run that season.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 5, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 85, Los Angeles Lakers 96</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>February 14, 2001</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 97, Philadelphia 76ers 112</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning four of the first five meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 4–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1950</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 4, Syracuse Nationals 2</td></tr><tr><td>1950 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1954</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 4, Syracuse Nationals 3</td></tr><tr><td>1954 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1980 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1982 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 0, Philadelphia 76ers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1983 NBA Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
Statistical leaders
2001 NBA playoffs
<table><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>Game high</th><th>Average</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>High</td><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>Avg.</td><td>GP</td></tr><tr><td>Points</td><td>Allen Iverson</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>54</td><td>Tracy McGrady</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>33.8</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Tim Duncan Dikembe Mutombo</td><td>San Antonio Spurs Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>22</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>15.4</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>John Stockton</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>18</td><td>Jason Kidd</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>13.3</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Allen Iverson</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>7</td><td>Baron Davis</td><td>Charlotte Hornets</td><td>2.8</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>8</td><td>Dikembe Mutombo</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>3.1</td><td>23</td></tr></tbody></table>