2007 NBA playoffs

2007 NBA playoffs

The 2007 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2006–07 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals. Tony Parker was named NBA Finals MVP, making him the second Spur after Tim Duncan and the first European–born player to receive the award.

The Miami Heat were the defending champions, but lost to the Chicago Bulls in the first round by a sweep.

Overview

2007 NBA playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks entered their seventh consecutive postseason. In addition, the Mavericks started the playoffs with a league best 67–15 regular season record, the best in franchise history. The Mavericks also became the first team since 2000 to finish the regular season with 65+ wins. Their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, entered their tenth consecutive postseason.

The defending champion Miami Heat entered the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Despite winning their third consecutive Southeast Division title, the Heat opened the playoffs on the road against the Chicago Bulls (thanks to the Bulls’ 49–33 record versus the Heat's 44–38 record), marking the second consecutive postseason that a division winner opened the playoffs on the road. This was also Pat Riley's final NBA playoff appearance as a head coach, as the Heat would miss the playoffs the following season.

The Houston Rockets returned to the playoffs after a one-season absence, and opened the playoffs at home for the first time since (/wiki/1997NBAplayoffs). This would also be Jeff Van Gundy's last postseason appearance as a head coach. Their first round opponent, the Northwest Division leading Utah Jazz made the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/2003NBAplayoffs). Like the Heat, the Jazz opened their postseason on the road.

The New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons entered their sixth consecutive postseason.

The Denver Nuggets entered their fourth consecutive postseason.

The Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, and Phoenix Suns entered their third consecutive postseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers entered their second consecutive postseason.

The Golden State Warriors made the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 1994 NBA playoffs.

The Toronto Raptors made the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/2002NBAPlayoffs) and earned home-court advantage for the first time in franchise history.

The Orlando Magic made the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/2003NBAPlayoffs).

The Indiana Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1997NBAPlayoffs), while the Sacramento Kings missed the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1998NBAPlayoffs). This also marked the first of sixteen consecutive postseasons not to feature the Sacramento Kings.

First Round

The Nets–Raptors series was notable for Nets guard Vince Carter facing his former team, the Toronto Raptors. His New Jersey Nets won the series in six games, giving the Raptors their second consecutive first round exit. The Nets would not win another playoff series until (/wiki/2014NBAplayoffs) as the Brooklyn Nets, which was also against the Raptors.

With their first round sweep of the Orlando Magic, the Detroit Pistons swept a playoff series for the first time since (/wiki/1990NBAplayoffs). It was also the Pistons’ first sweep of a best of seven series since the 1989 NBA Finals.

With their first round sweep of the defending champion Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls won their first playoff series since (/wiki/1998NBAFinals) and swept a best of seven series for the first time since 1996. As of 2024, this was the Bulls’ most recent playoff sweep. With the loss, the Heat became the first defending champion in 50 seasons to be swept in the first round. In addition, the Heat were swept in a postseason series for the first time since (/wiki/2001NBAplayoffs).

For the second consecutive postseason, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns would not win another playoff series against the Lakers until (/wiki/2021NBAplayoffs).

With their shocking first round upset over the Dallas Mavericks, The Golden State Warriors became the third eighth seed to beat a top seed and the first team to do so since the first round was extended to a best of seven in 2003. The Warriors were also the first eighth seed to eliminate a top seed since the 1999 New York Knicks’ Cinderella run to the Finals. With the loss, the Dallas Mavericks earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first (and currently only) .800+ regular season team to lose in the first round. With the win, the Golden State Warriors also won their first playoff series since (/wiki/1991NBAplayoffs). For Warriors head coach Don Nelson, he became the only head coach to win three playoff series as either a seventh or eighth seed, having also achieved the feat in (/wiki/1989NBAplayoffs) and 1991.

With their first round series losses, the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks became the first NBA Finals pair to lose in the first round in the following year's playoffs. They also share the dubious distinction of being the second and third top seeds, respectively, to lose to an eighth seed in the first round in the NBA Playoffs.

The Jazz–Rockets series marked the eighth straight postseason in which at least one Game 7 was played. The Utah Jazz won over the Houston Rockets, giving the Jazz their first playoff series win since (/wiki/2000NBAPlayoffs) and the Rockets their fifth consecutive first round exit. This also marked the sole Game 7 of this season's playoffs.

Conference Semifinals

With the Heat and Mavericks eliminated in the first round, the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs was considered “the real finals” as both teams had better records than the other remaining teams in the playoffs (thanks to the Suns’ 61–21 record and the Spurs’ 58–24 record, respectively).

The Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls met in the postseason for the first time since (/wiki/1991NBAplayoffs), renewing the Bulls–Pistons rivalry.

Game 4 of the Suns–Spurs series was extremely notable thanks to Robert Horry's body-check on Steve Nash. Moments after his flagrant foul, Horry threw an elbow at Raja Bell's head. Horry was ejected and then suspended for two games. In addition, Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended, one game each, for leaving the bench during the altercation.

With their Western Conference Semifinals victory, the San Antonio Spurs won their third consecutive playoff series against the Phoenix Suns.

With their Western Conference Semifinals win over the Golden State Warriors, the Utah Jazz made the conference finals for the first time since (/wiki/1998NBAplayoffs) (when they last made the NBA Finals). As of 2024, however, this was the most recent time the Jazz advanced past the Conference Semifinals. The Warriors themselves would not advance past the Conference Semifinals until 2015.

With their Eastern Conference Semifinals win against the New Jersey Nets, the Cleveland Cavaliers made their first Conference Finals appearance since 1992. In addition, Game 6 of the Cavaliers–Nets series was the final NBA Playoff game ever played in New Jersey, as well as the last NBA Playoff game ever played at Continental Airlines Arena. The Nets would not return to the playoffs until (/wiki/2013NBAPlayoffs) as the Brooklyn Nets.

With their Eastern Conference Semifinals victory over the Chicago Bulls, the Detroit Pistons made their fifth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The Bulls, on the other hand, would not make the Eastern Conference Finals until 2011.

Conference Finals

Despite trailing 2–0 to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the series in six games to make their first ever NBA Finals appearance. Game 5 of the Pistons-Cavaliers series was extremely notable thanks to LeBron James scoring the Cavaliers’ final 25 points in a double-overtime thriller.

With their Western Conference Finals win over the Utah Jazz, the San Antonio Spurs made their fourth NBA Finals appearance, and their third of the 2000s decade.

NBA Finals

The 2007 NBA Finals was significant due to it being the finals debut for LeBron James. He would not return to the Finals until 2011 (as a member of the Miami Heat). Due to LeBron's inexperience versus the seasoned San Antonio Spurs, this season's NBA Finals produced the lowest ratings of any NBA Finals until (/wiki/2020NBAFinals).

The San Antonio Spurs won their fourth NBA Championship with a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the first finals sweep since 2002. The Spurs also became the second team to win three titles in the 2000s decade (the other being the Los Angeles Lakers, who won three straight titles from 2000 to 2002).

Tony Parker is the first European Player to win NBA Finals MVP, and the second member of the San Antonio Spurs to do so, the other being Tim Duncan.

After this series, the Spurs would not reach the NBA Finals until (/wiki/2013NBAFinals) while the Cavaliers would not return until (/wiki/2015NBAFinals).

Seeding

2007 NBA playoffs

The playoffs are conducted in 4 rounds of the best-of-7 series. The 3 division winners in each conference, along with the 5 best non-division winners, qualify for the playoffs. The division winners and top second-place team are seeded 1–4 based on record, with the remaining non-division winners are seeded 5–8 on record.

Until 2006, the division champions were guaranteed no worse than the third seed, while the non-division winners could do no better than the fourth seed regardless of record. This was the source of controversy in the 2006 NBA playoffs when the 63-win Spurs and 60-win Dallas Mavericks — the teams with the second-best and third-best records in the entire league—met in the conference semifinals. In response, the NBA changed the seeding system so that the teams with the two best records in the conference are guaranteed the top two seeds even if the second-best team isn't a division champion. Meanwhile, the division champions are guaranteed no worse than the fourth seed. This ensures that the teams with the two best records in the conference cannot meet until the conference finals at the earliest.

Playoff qualifying

Eastern Conference

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:

• Detroit Pistons (53–29, clinched Central division, best regular season record in Eastern Conference, and home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs) • Cleveland Cavaliers (50–32) • Toronto Raptors (47–35, clinched Atlantic division) • Miami Heat (44–38, clinched Southeast division) • Chicago Bulls (49–33) • New Jersey Nets (41–41; 4–0 head-to-head vs. WSH) • Washington Wizards (41–41, 0–4 head-to-head vs. NJ) • Orlando Magic (40–42)

Western Conference

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:

• Dallas Mavericks (67–15, clinched Southwest division, best regular season record, and home court advantage throughout the playoffs) • Phoenix Suns (61–21, clinched Pacific division) • San Antonio Spurs (58–24) • Utah Jazz (51–31, clinched Northwest division) • Houston Rockets (52–30) • Denver Nuggets (45–37) • Los Angeles Lakers (42–40, 4–0 head-to-head vs. Golden State) • Golden State Warriors (42–40, 0–4 head-to-head vs. LA Lakers)

Bracket

2007 NBA playoffs

This is the bracket for the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Teams in italics had home court advantage. Teams in bold advanced to the next round. Numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's original seeding in their respective conferences. Numbers to the right of each team indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions possess an asterisk ().

	First Round					Conference Semifinals					Conference Finals					NBA Finals
	E1	Detroit	4
	E8	Orlando	0
						E1	Detroit	4
						E5	Chicago	2
	E4	Miami	0
	E5	Chicago	4
											E1	Detroit	2
	Eastern Conference
											E2	Cleveland	4
	E3	Toronto	2
	E6	New Jersey	4
						E6	New Jersey	2
						E2	Cleveland	4
	E2	Cleveland	4
	E7	Washington	0
																E2	Cleveland	0
																W3	San Antonio	4
	W1	Dallas	2
	W8	Golden State	4
						W8	Golden State	1
						W4	Utah	4
	W4	Utah	4
	W5	Houston	3
											W4	Utah	1
	Western Conference
											W3	San Antonio	4
	W3	San Antonio	4
	W6	Denver	1
						W3	San Antonio	4
						W2	Phoenix	2
	W2	Phoenix	4
	W7	LA Lakers	1

First round

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic

Detroit won 4–0 in the regular-season series
December 8, 2006
Recap
Detroit Pistons 87, Orlando Magic 83
Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida
February 21, 2007
Recap
Orlando Magic 88, Detroit Pistons 110
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
February 23, 2007
Recap
Detroit Pistons 94, Orlando Magic 89
Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida
April 11, 2007
Recap
Orlando Magic 99, Detroit Pistons 104
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series
1996
Detroit Pistons 0, Orlando Magic 3
1996 Eastern Conference First Round
2003
Detroit Pistons 4, Orlando Magic 3
2003 Eastern Conference First Round

The Orlando Magic's first playoff trip in 4 seasons was short lived as the top ranked Detroit Pistons dispatched the upstart Magic in 4 games. The Pistons recorded their first series sweep since sweeping Indiana in the first round of the 1990 NBA playoffs. The series was also the first time Orlando forward Grant Hill had appeared in the postseason since leaving Detroit after the 2000 season.

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Washington Wizards

Cleveland won 2–1 in the regular-season series
November 1, 2006
Recap
Washington Wizards 94, Cleveland Cavaliers 97
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
November 18, 2006
Recap
Cleveland Cavaliers 99, Washington Wizards 111
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
April 6, 2007
Recap
Cleveland Cavaliers 99, Washington Wizards 94
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Cavaliers winning two of the first three meetings.

Cleveland leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series
1976
Cleveland Cavaliers 4, Washington Bullets 3
1976 Eastern Conference Semifinals
1977
Cleveland Cavaliers 1, Washington Bullets 2
1977 Eastern Conference First Round
2006
Cleveland Cavaliers 4, Washington Wizards 2
2006 Eastern Conference First Round

A rematch of the previous year's first round series was spoiled when Wizards stars Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler were both forced out of the playoffs due to injuries received in the later parts of the regular season. Without Arenas and Butler, the Wizards were unable to stop LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers from sweeping them out of the playoffs. It was Cleveland's first playoff sweep in franchise history.

(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) New Jersey Nets

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
November 1, 2006
Recap
Toronto Raptors 92, New Jersey Nets 102
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
December 15, 2006
Recap
New Jersey Nets 78, Toronto Raptors 90
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
January 9, 2007
Recap
Toronto Raptors 86, New Jersey Nets 101
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
February 14, 2007
Recap
New Jersey Nets 109, Toronto Raptors 120
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

This was the first playoff meeting between the Nets and the Raptors.

The Nets won the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs in their sixth straight appearance in the NBA Playoffs. The series was the only one in the Eastern Conference first round not to result in a sweep.

The series was notable for pitting ex-Raptor Vince Carter, who was traded to the Nets in 2004 after an acrimonious split, against his former team. So great was the Toronto crowd's disdain for Carter, that he was booed every time he touched the ball. The Nets took home court advantage in Game 1, holding off a late Raptors rally in the fourth quarter. The Raptors pulled away in Game 2 and tied the series at 1. When the series shifted to New Jersey, the Nets took charge of the series, winning Games 3 and 4 in routs. New Jersey had a chance to win the series in Game 5 in Toronto, but the Raptors took a 20-point lead after one quarter. Still, New Jersey managed to chip away, and had a chance to win it, but Boštjan Nachbar's 3 missed at the buzzer. Needing to win in New Jersey to force a Game 7, Toronto held a one-point lead with under a minute to play in Game 6, but Richard Jefferson hit a layup with 8 seconds left. Toronto attempted to try for the game-winning shot, but Jefferson intercepted the pass to seal the series for the Nets.

(4) Miami Heat vs. (5) Chicago Bulls

• Game 4 is Gary Payton's final NBA game.

Chicago won 3–1 in the regular-season series
October 31, 2006
Recap
Chicago Bulls 108, Miami Heat 66
American Airlines Arena, Miami
December 27, 2006
Recap
Miami Heat 103, Chicago Bulls 109
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
January 27, 2007
Recap
Miami Heat 97, Chicago Bulls 100
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
March 7, 2007
Recap
Chicago Bulls 70, Miami Heat 103
American Airlines Arena, Miami

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning three of the first four meetings.

Chicago leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series
1992
Chicago Bulls 3, Miami Heat 0
1992 Eastern Conference First Round
1996
Chicago Bulls 3, Miami Heat 0
1996 Eastern Conference First Round
1997
Chicago Bulls 4, Miami Heat 1
1997 Eastern Conference Finals
2006
Chicago Bulls 2, Miami Heat 4
2006 Eastern Conference First Round

The Bulls won their first playoff series since the 1998 NBA Finals and the retirement of Michael Jordan. This was the Bulls first 4-game sweep, since sweeping the Magic in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Miami became the first defending champion since 1957 to be swept in the First Round the following season.

In addition, Southeast Division champions Miami and other division qualifiers Washington and Orlando were swept (0–12) by Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit respectively, all from the Central Division (12–0).

(1) Dallas Mavericks vs. (8) Golden State Warriors

Golden State won 3–0 in the regular-season series
November 6, 2006
Recap
Golden State Warriors 107, Dallas Mavericks 104
American Airlines Center, Dallas
March 12, 2007
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 100, Golden State Warriors 117
Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
April 17, 2007
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 82, Golden State Warriors 111
Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

This was the first playoff meeting between the Mavericks and the Warriors.

The Warriors qualified for the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1994NBAplayoffs), the second longest such streak in league history. However, the Warriors were heavy underdogs against the Dallas Mavericks despite sweeping the regular season series between the teams, as Dallas had one of the best records in NBA regular season history. Expectations of a short series were immediately dashed by Golden State's Game 1 victory in Dallas, behind guard Baron Davis and his rather frantic style of play. The Mavericks came back to win Game 2 to tie the series at 1.

But when the series shifted to Oakland for the next two games, a new X-factor emerged for the Warriors: their home crowd at the Oracle Arena. The electric crowd, which was the highest paid attendance crowd for an NBA game in the history of that arena, gave the Warriors a huge lift as they blew out Dallas in Game 3, and edged out a close victory in Game 4. As the series shifted back to Dallas, the top-ranked Mavericks found themselves one game from seeing their record breaking season end prematurely. The Mavericks gave their all and staved off elimination in Game 5, but had nothing left in Game 6 in Oakland. The Warriors used a third-quarter 18–0 run, sparked by Stephen Jackson's 13 straight points en route to a franchise playoff record seven 3-pointers, and an unexpected collapse from MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki (2–13 from the field with 8 points) to finish Dallas and become the first #8 seed to win a best-of-7 series in the first round, and just the third overall in NBA history, following the Denver Nuggets in (/wiki/1994NBAplayoffs) and the New York Knicks en route to the 1999 NBA Finals. The Warriors also won their first playoff series since 1991. The Mavericks also became the second team who had a 65+ winning record not to win a championship, the first being the 1972–73 Boston Celtics, and the most recent, the 2017-18 Houston Rockets. To date, they are the only ones who were eliminated in the first round.

Both 2006 NBA Finalists (Dallas and Miami) were eliminated in the first round despite being top 4 seeds. This was the first time since 1957 that this had happened. This would not happen again until 2021 when the NBA Finalists from the previous season (L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat) were eliminated in the first round as lower-seeded teams.

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix won 3–1 in the regular-season series
October 31, 2006
Recap
Phoenix Suns 106, Los Angeles Lakers 114
Staples Center, Los Angeles
March 4, 2007
Recap
Los Angeles Lakers 94, Phoenix Suns 99
US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona
April 8, 2007
Recap
Phoenix Suns 115, Los Angeles Lakers 107
Staples Center, Los Angeles
April 13, 2007
Recap
Los Angeles Lakers 85, Phoenix Suns 93
US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona

This was the 11th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning seven of the first ten meetings.

Los Angeles leads 7–3 in all-time playoff series
1970
Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 3
1970 Western Division Semifinals
1980
Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 1
1980 Western Conference Semifinals
1982
Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 0
1982 Western Conference Semifinals
1984
Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 2
1984 Western Conference Finals
1985
Los Angeles Lakers 3, Phoenix Suns 0
1985 Western Conference First Round
1989
Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 0
1989 Western Conference Finals
1990
Los Angeles Lakers 1, Phoenix Suns 4
1990 Western Conference Semifinals
1993
Los Angeles Lakers 2, Phoenix Suns 3
1993 Western Conference First Round
2000
Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 1
2000 Western Conference Semifinals
2006
Los Angeles Lakers 3, Phoenix Suns 4
2006 Western Conference First Round

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers went up against the high powered Phoenix Suns in a rematch of the previous year's first round series, which saw the Lakers take a 3–1 lead before the Suns took the series in 7. Unlike the previous series, the Suns had near complete control of the series, taking the series in 5. The Suns advanced to their third straight conference semifinals by eliminating the Lakers in the first round for the second straight year. In Game 4, Phoenix point guard Steve Nash made a run at the record for most assists in a playoff game, finishing one shy of the record 24 shared by Magic Johnson and John Stockton.

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Denver Nuggets

<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>January 10, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 92, Denver Nuggets 83</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>February 20, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Denver Nuggets 80, San Antonio Spurs 95</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>April 18, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Denver Nuggets 100, San Antonio Spurs 77</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning four of the first five meetings.

San Antonio leads 4–1 in all-time playoff series
1983
Denver Nuggets 1, San Antonio Spurs 4
1983 Western Conference Semifinals
1985
Denver Nuggets 3, San Antonio Spurs 2
1985 Western Conference First Round
1990
Denver Nuggets 0, San Antonio Spurs 3
1990 Western Conference First Round
1995
Denver Nuggets 0, San Antonio Spurs 3
1995 Western Conference First Round
2005
Denver Nuggets 1, San Antonio Spurs 4
2005 Western Conference First Round

The Nuggets duo of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson got Denver off to a fast start, winning Game 1 and taking home-court advantage away from Tim Duncan and the Spurs. Despite the early letdown, the Spurs showed their championship mettle and bounced back for a 97–88 win in Game 2. In the pivotal Game 3, the Nuggets built an eight-point first-quarter lead before Manu Ginóbili's eight second-quarter points put San Antonio up 43–40 at halftime. A back-and-forth contest turned in the final 2:24 of the third quarter: Michael Finley hit two 3-pointers, and Robert Horry later hit a 3 that gave the Spurs a 75–67 lead at the end of the quarter. They hung on for a 96–91 win.

Denver started strong again in Game 4 and led by eight at halftime. But San Antonio stormed back after Anthony went to the bench in the third quarter with his fourth foul. The Spurs held a one-point lead with 30 seconds left when Horry, hit a 3 from the right corner to help seal a 96–89 win. The stunned Nuggets did not recover from the Game 4 letdown. Finley was the hero in Game 5, hitting a team-playoff-record eight threes for 26 points as San Antonio won 93–78 to end the series, marking the Nuggets' fourth straight season where they lost in the first round in five games. This is the second time in three seasons that the Nuggets lost the first-round series to the Spurs, after taking Game 1 in San Antonio (the first also happened in five games).

(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Utah won 3–1 in the regular-season series
November 1, 2006
Recap
Houston Rockets 97, Utah Jazz 107
EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City
January 5, 2007
Recap
Utah Jazz 86, Houston Rockets 100
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
April 1, 2007
Recap
Utah Jazz 86, Houston Rockets 83
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
April 18, 2007
Recap
Houston Rockets 91, Utah Jazz 101
EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City

This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Jazz winning three of the first five meetings.

Utah leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series
1985
Houston Rockets 2, Utah Jazz 3
1985 Western Conference First Round
1994
Houston Rockets 4, Utah Jazz 1
1994 Western Conference Finals
1995
Houston Rockets 3, Utah Jazz 2
1995 Western Conference First Round
1997
Houston Rockets 2, Utah Jazz 4
1997 Western Conference Finals
1998
Houston Rockets 2, Utah Jazz 3
1998 Western Conference First Round

The resurgent Utah Jazz, fresh off one of their best seasons since the John Stockton/Karl Malone years, faced Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets, who were seeking their first playoff series victory in 10 years. Home court advantage proved to be the key as the series progressed, as both the Rockets and the Jazz won closely contested matches in front of their home crowds.

As a result, the series had to go to a seventh and deciding game, which was played in Houston since the Rockets had the better record and thereby earned home court advantage, despite the division-winning Jazz being the higher-seeded team. Nevertheless, Utah overcame the Houston crowd and stunned the Rockets for the win on the road. The Jazz became only the third road team in history to win Game 7 of a seven-game series in which the home team won each of the first six games, after the Boston Celtics in the 1969 NBA Finals and the Baltimore Bullets in the 1971 Eastern Conference Finals. Houston's Tracy McGrady lost his sixth straight post-season series (out of 10 seasons) and has never played past the first round in his entire career.

After losing the series, the Rockets failed to reach a new contract agreement with their head coach Jeff Van Gundy, who was subsequently fired.

Conference semifinals

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (5) Chicago Bulls

Chicago won 3–1 in the regular-season series
January 6, 2007
Recap
Detroit Pistons 89, Chicago Bulls 106
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
February 25, 2007
Recap
Chicago Bulls 93, Detroit Pistons 95
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
March 29, 2007
Recap
Detroit Pistons 81, Chicago Bulls 83
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
April 4, 2007
Recap
Chicago Bulls 106, Detroit Pistons 88
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning three of the first five meetings.

Detroit leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series
1974
Chicago Bulls 4, Detroit Pistons 3
1974 Western Conference Semifinals
1988
Chicago Bulls 1, Detroit Pistons 4
1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals
1989
Chicago Bulls 2, Detroit Pistons 4
1989 Eastern Conference Finals
1990
Chicago Bulls 3, Detroit Pistons 4
1990 Eastern Conference Finals
1991
Chicago Bulls 4, Detroit Pistons 0
1991 Eastern Conference Finals

In a renewal of a rivalry from the late '80s and early '90s, the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons faced off against each other. This was also the first time since (/wiki/1995StanleyCupplayoffs) that teams from the two cities met in a major league postseason or game. The series began fairly one-sided as the Pistons took Games 1 and 2 in Detroit in blowout fashion, followed by another convincing victory in Game 3 in Chicago. In all 3 games, the Bulls looked severely outmatched against the more experienced Pistons squad. Expectations were low for the Bulls, since no NBA team has ever won a seven-game series after being down 3–0. (It has only happened five times total in sports history, the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, 1975 New York Islanders, 2004 Boston Red Sox, 2010 Philadelphia Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings.)

Despite the huge obstacle, the Bulls rallied to take Game 4 in a romp, and then proceeded to shock everyone with a blow-out victory in Detroit in Game 5. Despite the renewed momentum, the Pistons' playoff experience ultimately won out as they closed out the Bulls in a 95-85 Game 6 win. The Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth straight year.

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (6) New Jersey Nets

Cleveland won 2–1 in the regular-season series
December 20, 2006
Recap
Cleveland Cavaliers 111, New Jersey Nets 113
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
January 6, 2007
Recap
New Jersey Nets 91, Cleveland Cavaliers 96
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
April 12, 2007
Recap
New Jersey Nets 76, Cleveland Cavaliers 94
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Cavaliers winning the first two meetings.

Cleveland leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1992
Cleveland Cavaliers 3, New Jersey Nets 1
1992 Eastern Conference First Round
1993
Cleveland Cavaliers 3, New Jersey Nets 2
1993 Eastern Conference First Round

The Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1992, while the Nets lost in the Conference Semifinals in three out of the last four years. Game 6 was the final playoff game at the Continental Airlines Arena, while also the last NBA playoff game ever played in New Jersey (the Prudential Center never hosted an NBA playoff game during the Nets' tenure from 2010 to 2012).

New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd averaged a triple double the entire playoffs, scoring 14.6 points, grabbing 10.9 rebounds and dishing out 10.9 assists per game.

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (3) San Antonio Spurs

<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 8, 2006</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Phoenix Suns 106, San Antonio Spurs 111 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>February 1, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 87, Phoenix Suns 103</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>April 5, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Phoenix Suns 85, San Antonio Spurs 92</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning four of the first seven meetings.

San Antonio leads 4–3 in all-time playoff series
1992
Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 0
1992 Western Conference First Round
1993
Phoenix Suns 4, San Antonio Spurs 2
1993 Western Conference Semifinals
1996
Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3
1996 Western Conference First Round
1998
Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3
1998 Western Conference First Round
2000
Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 1
2000 Western Conference First Round
2003
Phoenix Suns 2, San Antonio Spurs 4
2003 Western Conference First Round
2005
Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 4
2005 Western Conference Finals

The highly anticipated match-up between the high-powered Phoenix Suns, led by 2-time MVP Steve Nash, and the San Antonio Spurs, led by 3-time Finals MVP Tim Duncan, had high expectations before the series tip-off. The Suns were looking to make the conference finals for the third straight year, and also looking for their first Finals berth since 1993. The Spurs on the other hand, were looking for their third trip in five years, and their fourth NBA title overall. The series received international interest with a playoff-record of 12 players originating outside the US. When the series ended, it had become one of the most hotly contested and controversial series in recent NBA history.

The Suns had their home court advantage quickly taken away as the Spurs took a tight Game 1, a game that saw Nash missing the final minutes for Phoenix due to a gash to his nose, which bled profusely. Nash and the Suns recovered to take Game 2 but after the game, Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire accused the Spurs, especially Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginóbili, of being a dirty team. Despite the added scrutiny by the media circles, the Spurs won Game 3. The Suns, trying to overcome their recent failures against Texas teams in the playoffs, willed themselves to a come-from-behind victory in Game 4 to tie the series at 2.

However, the celebration was short-lived. In the closing minute of Game 4, with the Suns up 3, Nash brought up the ball and was body-checked into the press table by Robert Horry. Immediately following this, Amar'e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw stood up and went to check on their fallen teammate. As Horry was walking away, Raja Bell ran up to him, in defense of Nash, and was elbowed in the head. Horry was assessed a flagrant foul and then ejected. A technical foul was called on Bell. For his actions, Horry received a two-game suspension. Although they were not directly involved, Stoudemire and Diaw were suspended, one game each, for leaving the bench during an altercation. Severely undermanned, the Suns came into Game 5 with the task of beating the Spurs without their star big man.

Although the Suns were able to control most of the game without the suspended players, even taking a 16-point lead on the Spurs at one point, the Spurs came back to win an incredibly close Game 5. Diaw and Stoudemire did return for the Suns in Game 6, though that didn't help the Suns to force a Game 7 and the Spurs eliminated them to advance to the Western Conference Finals with a 114–106 win.

(4) Utah Jazz vs. (8) Golden State Warriors

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
November 4, 2006
Recap
Golden State Warriors 82, Utah Jazz 106
EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City
November 25, 2006
Recap
Utah Jazz 78, Golden State Warriors 91
Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
March 20, 2007
Recap
Golden State Warriors 100, Utah Jazz 104
EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City
April 9, 2007
Recap
Utah Jazz 102, Golden State Warriors 126
Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning the first two meetings.

Golden State leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1987
Golden State Warriors 3, Utah Jazz 2
1987 Western Conference First Round
1989
Golden State Warriors 3, Utah Jazz 0
1989 Western Conference First Round

The Warriors play the Jazz at Oracle Arena in Game 3.

Fresh off their stunning upset of the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors faced a very different team in Utah. The Warriors continued the frantic style of play they exhibited against the Mavericks, but the Jazz, a more defensive-minded team, managed to shut them down to take Game 1. The Warriors tried to bounce back in Game 2, and took the Jazz to overtime. But the Jazz were able to prevail, due to the inspired clutch play of guard Derek Fisher, who arrived at halftime after being with his family in New York City because of his daughter's emergency eye cancer surgery.

The series shifted back to Oakland and the raucous Oracle Arena crowd, which lifted the Warriors to a resounding blowout in Game 3, a game which saw the Warriors hit a playoff record 11 threes in the first half. However, the Jazz shrugged off the crowd and handed the Warriors their only playoff home loss of the year in Game 4. The Warriors' playoff run ended as the Jazz finished them off in Game 5. The Jazz advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1998.

Conference finals

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers

Detroit won 3–1 in the regular-season series
December 21, 2006
Recap
Detroit Pistons 87, Cleveland Cavaliers 71
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
February 4, 2007
Recap
Detroit Pistons 90, Cleveland Cavaliers 78
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
March 7, 2007
Recap
Cleveland Cavaliers 101, Detroit Pistons 97 (OT)
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
April 8, 2007
Recap
Cleveland Cavaliers 82, Detroit Pistons 87
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.

Detroit leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2006
Cleveland Cavaliers 3, Detroit Pistons 4
2006 Eastern Conference Semifinals

In a rematch of the thrilling 2006 second-round series, the Pistons and Cavaliers matched up was a closely contested series in NBA history, with the first five games being decided by six points or less. The spotlight fell on LeBron James. Despite gaining some momentum in the opening games of the series against the experienced Pistons, key last-second decisions by James led to Cleveland losses in Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, by identical scores, in which Cleveland led for most of the two games. They faced a 0–2 deficit for the second straight year, but would be acknowledged from the year before that they could win three straight games to get back into the series.

With media circles on his back for his complacency in these games (James had a then playoff career low 10 points in Game 1), James came back to will the Cavs to close victories in Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland, evening the series at 2. The series shifted back to Detroit for a Game 5 that proved to be one of the most memorable postseason games in recent NBA history. In a match that went into double overtime, the Cavaliers stunned the Pistons on their home court, thanks to LeBron James' playoff career-high 48-point performance. James scored the Cavaliers' final 25 points, including all 18 points in overtime, forced the second OT with a driving dunk and made a driving layup with 2.2 seconds left in the second OT to silence the Palace crowd. A game tying buzzer beater by Chauncey Billups rimmed out making it two straight 2-point wins at the Palace in Game 5.

The Cavaliers took advantage of their home court in 2007 and exploded in Game 6 to close out the Pistons, and to clinch the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals (in the process denying a rematch of the 2005 NBA Finals between the Pistons and Spurs). Rookie Daniel Gibson scored a career-high 31 points, including five 3-pointers, to lift the Cavs in the second half behind a roaring home crowd.

Detroit would lose a record-tying 12 consecutive postseason games against Cleveland, a drought that did not end until the 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (4) Utah Jazz

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 29, 2006</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 75, Utah Jazz 83</td></tr><tr><td>EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>December 28, 2006</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Utah Jazz 83, San Antonio Spurs 106</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>January 31, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 93, Utah Jazz 97</td></tr><tr><td>EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>March 30, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Utah Jazz 93, San Antonio Spurs 102</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Jazz winning the first three meetings.

Utah leads 3–0 in all-time playoff series
1994
San Antonio Spurs 1, Utah Jazz 3
1994 Western Conference First Round
1996
San Antonio Spurs 2, Utah Jazz 4
1996 Western Conference Semifinals
1998
San Antonio Spurs 1, Utah Jazz 4
1998 Western Conference Semifinals

For the first time since (/wiki/1990NBAplayoffs), neither the #1 nor #2 seed participated in the Western Conference Finals. However, the series pitted youth against experience as the up-and-coming Utah Jazz faced off against the seasoned San Antonio Spurs. Coming into the series, the Jazz were not given much of a chance due to their inexperience. However, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and the Jazz were able to hold their own against San Antonio for a good part of the series.

Unfortunately, it was not enough. The series' first 2 games – both San Antonio home victories – saw the Spurs blow big first-half leads and the Jazz mount last-gasp rallies that were thwarted by San Antonio's clutch shooting. When the Spurs' 19-point first-half lead dwindled to 95-87 late in the fourth quarter of Game 1, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginóbili came through with timely shots down the stretch. When San Antonio's 22-point edge shrank to 83-76 late in Game 2, Bruce Bowen broke Utah's rhythm with a 3 from the left corner and another from the right to end the threat.

The Jazz, who were undefeated at home in the postseason coming into the series, had their most cohesive effort in a 109-83 Game 3 rout. Utah pestered Duncan into early foul trouble and got baskets from players other than Williams and Boozer, who had combined for 57.7% of their team's points through the first two games. But Jazz fans' euphoria over the team's only series victory gave way to frustration in Game 4 – with most of it aimed at Ginóbili and his flopping. 11 of his 16 fourth-quarter points came at the foul line in an ugly overall team performance in which the Spurs made more free throws (30) than field goals (28). Contributing to that discrepancy were four technical fouls called against Utah in the fourth. The subsequent ejections of Utah head coach Jerry Sloan and Jazz guard Derek Fisher had a charged-up EnergySolutions Arena crowd raining debris onto the court in protest.

The unflappable Spurs responded with yet another commanding start in Game 5. They outscored the Jazz by 19 in the first quarter and led by as many as 29. Not even another late-game arrival of Fisher (from New York again) could help the Jazz enough and the Spurs won a 109–84 series-clinching victory and an eventual date in the NBA Finals with the Cavaliers.

NBA Finals: (W3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) Cleveland Cavaliers

2007 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th>Cleveland won 2–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 3, 2006</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 88, San Antonio Spurs 81</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>January 2, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 78, Cleveland Cavaliers 82</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Cavaliers and the Spurs.

The Cavaliers, led by superstar LeBron James, entered the 2007 Finals looking for their first franchise championship, as well as the first championship for a pro team based out of Cleveland since the Cleveland Browns won the 1964 National Football League Championship. However, the Cavs were considered heavy underdogs against the 3-time champion Spurs. The Spurs' veteran leadership and championship experience overwhelmed the Cavs, who were swept by the Spurs after two blowouts in San Antonio and two close games in Cleveland.

Statistic leaders

2007 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Category</th><th colspan="3">High</th><th colspan="4">Average</th></tr><tr><th>Player</th><th>Team</th><th>Total</th><th>Player</th><th>Team</th><th>Avg.</th><th>Games played</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Points</td><td>LeBron James</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>48</td><td>Kobe Bryant</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>32.8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Amar'e Stoudemire</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>21</td><td>Marcus Camby</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>14.8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Steve Nash</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>23</td><td>Steve Nash</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>13.3</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Baron Davis</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>6</td><td>Baron Davis</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>2.9</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Tim Duncan</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>9</td><td>Marcus Camby</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>3.2</td><td>5</td></tr></tbody></table>

Broadcasters

National television

Year	Teams	Network	Play-by-play announcer	Color analyst(s)	Sideline reporter(s)	Studio host	Studio analyst(s)
2007	Cleveland–Washington	TNT (Games 1, 3) NBA TV (Games 2, 4)	Marv Albert

Local television

Year	Teams	Network	Play-by-play announcer	Color analyst(s)	Sideline reporter(s)
2007	Cleveland–Washington	Fox Sports Ohio and WUAB-TV (Cleveland area)	Michael Reghi	Austin Carr
		Comcast SportsNet (Washington D.C. area)

Local radio

Year	Teams	Flagship station	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)
2007	Detroit–Orlando	WDFN-AM (Detroit)
		WDBO-AM (Orlando)
	Chicago–Miami	WCKG-FM (Chicago)
		WIOD-AM (Miami)
	Cleveland–Washington	WTAM-AM (Cleveland)	Joe Tait
		WTEM-AM (Washington)
	New Jersey–Toronto	WFAN-AM (New Jersey)
		CJCL-AM (Toronto)

National television

Year	Teams	Network	Play-by-play announcer	Color analyst(s)	Sideline reporter(s)	Studio host	Studio analyst(s)
2007	Cleveland–New Jersey	ABC (Game 1) TNT (Games 2, 4–5) ESPN (Games 3, 6)

Local television

Year	Teams	Network	Play-by-play announcer	Color analyst(s)	Sideline reporter(s)
2007	Cleveland–New Jersey	Fox Sports Ohio and WUAB-TV (Cleveland area) (Games 3, 6)
		YES Network (New Jersey) (New York area) (Games 3, 6)

National radio

Year	Teams	Network	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)
2007	Detroit–Chicago
	Cleveland–New Jersey	ESPN (Game 1)

Local radio

Year	Teams	Flagship station	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)
2007	Detroit–Chicago	WDFN-AM (Detroit)
		WCKG-FM (Chicago)
	Cleveland–New Jersey	WTAM-AM (Cleveland)	Joe Tait
		WFAN-AM (New Jersey)