2010 NBA playoffs

The 2010 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2009-10 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.

Source: Wikipedia

Article

2010 NBA playoffs

The 2010 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2009-10 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.

Overview

Western Conference

For the 2nd time in 3 seasons and the first time since 2008, all Western Conference playoff teams had at least 50 wins. The 7 games separating 1–8 was tied for the smallest margin, also from 2008.

The Phoenix Suns returned to the playoffs after a one-season absence.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made their first playoff appearance since relocating from Seattle in 2008; the team's last appearance was as the Seattle SuperSonics in (/wiki/2005NBAplayoffs). They made the most of their debut playoff appearance, pushing the eventual champion Lakers to six games.

The Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder entered the playoffs tied with 50 regular season wins. The Trail Blazers won the overall tie breaker, and were seeded sixth. The Spurs and Thunder were seeded seventh and eighth, respectively.

Eastern Conference

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the NBA Playoffs with the league's best record for the second straight season. Their 61 wins in the NBA was the smallest win total for best record since the Pacers won 61 in (/wiki/2003–04NBAseason). However, due to LeBron James joining the Miami Heat the following season, this would be the Cavaliers' last postseason appearance until (/wiki/2015NBAplayoffs), which was also James' first season back with the Cavaliers.

The Boston Celtics, who won the Atlantic Division, entered the playoffs as a fourth seed. This would be the first time since (/wiki/2008NBAPlayoffs) that this occurred.

The Charlotte Bobcats made their first playoff appearance in franchise history, and the first in the Charlotte NBA team's history since (/wiki/2002NBAplayoffs).

The Detroit Pistons missed the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/2001NBAplayoffs).

First Round

Games 3, 4, and 6 of the Lakers-Thunder series were the first playoff games ever played at Ford Center (the arena's former tenants, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, didn't play a single playoff game in the building).

With the Orlando Magic sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 4, this marks the 34th year in a row that a sweep occurred in the NBA playoffs. The last time a sweep did not occur was (/wiki/1976NBAplayoffs).

With their first-round win over the Chicago Bulls, The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Bulls in a playoff series for the first time since The Shot.

With their first-round win over the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs became the first seventh seed since (/wiki/1998NBAPlayoffs) (and fifth overall) to beat a second seeded team in a playoff series. This would not happen again until (/wiki/2023NBAplayoffs), when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition, the Spurs also avenged their own series losses to the Mavericks, who beat them twice in the previous four seasons. It was also the Spurs’ first series win against the Mavericks since (/wiki/2003NBAPlayoffs).

With their first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks earned the dubious distinction of losing 3 first round series while holding the top 2 playoff seeds. They lost to the seventh-seeded San Antonio Spurs in 6. They have also lost a playoff series against the Seattle SuperSonics ((/wiki/1987NBAplayoffs), as the second seed) and the Golden State Warriors (2007, as the top seed).

The Hawks–Bucks series was the first of the 2010 playoffs to have a game 7, marking the 11th consecutive year in the NBA playoffs to feature a game 7. The last time a game 7 did not occur in the playoffs was (/wiki/1999NBAplayoffs).

Conference Semifinals

With a conference semifinals sweep over the seventh–seeded San Antonio Spurs, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Spurs in the postseason for the first time since (/wiki/2000NBAplayoffs). Prior to this, the Spurs won the previous four meetings. The Suns also made the conference finals for the first time since (/wiki/2006NBAplayoffs).

With a conference semifinals sweep of the Atlanta Hawks, the Orlando Magic became the third team in NBA history to go 8–0 through the first two rounds of the playoffs. As of 2024, this remains the Magic's most recent series victory.

The Cavaliers–Celtics series was extremely notable because marked the first time that each team lost a home playoff game by record margins: Boston lost Game 3 124–95; Cleveland lost Game 5 120–88. The Cavaliers' second round playoff exit (4–2 vs. Boston) was the earliest for the top seed since the Dallas Mavericks' first round loss to the Golden State Warriors in (/wiki/2007NBAplayoffs). Game 6 of the same series was LeBron James’ last game with the Cleveland Cavaliers until 2014.

Conference Finals

Game 5 of the Magic-Celtics series was the last game played at Amway Arena (formerly known as Orlando Arena and TD Waterhouse Centre).

With a Game 6 win over the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons. With the win, the Celtics avenged the Magic for last year's Game 7 loss. With the loss, the Magic, who last year upset the top-seeded Cavaliers in 6 (after they went 8–0 through the first two rounds), suffered the same fate as last season's Cavaliers by becoming the third straight team to go 8–0 through the first two rounds, only to lose in the conference finals.

With a Game 6 win over the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals for the third straight season. In addition, the Lakers avenged the Suns for their first round losses in 2006 (in which the Lakers led 3–1 before losing the series) and 2007. The Suns would not return to the playoffs until (/wiki/2021NBAPlayoffs).

NBA Finals

The 2010 NBA Finals featured a 2008 Finals rematch between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, marking the first time since (/wiki/2005NBAFinals) that the last two NBA Champions met in the NBA Finals.

The 2010 NBA Finals would be the last NBA Finals featuring Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rasheed Wallace. It would also be the last NBA Finals to feature Phil Jackson as a head coach.

With a Game 7 win, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Celtics, who defeated them in the 2008 NBA Finals, to win their 16th NBA Championship. The Lakers also became the third team under the 2-3-2 format to come back from a 3–2 deficit to win the final two games at home (the other two teams being their 1988 team and the 1994 Houston Rockets. The Lakers would not return to the NBA Finals until (/wiki/2020NBAFinals), while the Celtics would not return until (/wiki/2022NBAFinals).

Format

2010 NBA playoffs

The 3 division winners and 5 other teams with the most wins from each conference qualified for the playoffs. The seedings are based on each team's record; however, a division winner is guaranteed to be ranked at least fourth, regardless of record.

Tiebreak procedures

• Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division • Head-to-head record • Division record (if the teams are in the same division) • Conference record • Record vs. playoff teams, own conference • Record vs. playoff teams, other conference • Point differential, all games

If there were more than two teams tied, the team that wins the tiebreaker get the highest seed, while the other teams were "re-broken" from the first step until all ties were resolved. Since the three division winners were guaranteed a spot in the top four, ties to determine the division winners had to be broken before any other ties.

Playoff qualifying

Eastern Conference

Team standings progression on the teams that qualified for the playoffs.

<table><thead><tr><th>Seed</th><th>Team</th><th>Wins</th><th>Clinched</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Playoff berth</td><td>Division title</td><td>Best record in Conference</td><td>Best record in NBA</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>61</td><td>March 8</td><td>March 17</td><td>April 2</td><td>April 4</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>59</td><td>March 16</td><td>April 5</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Atlanta Hawks</td><td>53</td><td>March 21</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Boston Celtics</td><td>50</td><td>March 24</td><td>March 26</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>47</td><td>April 6</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks</td><td>46</td><td>April 6</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Charlotte Bobcats</td><td>44</td><td>April 6</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Chicago Bulls</td><td>41</td><td>April 14</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr></tbody></table>

Western Conference

Team standings progression on the teams that qualified for the playoffs.

<table><thead><tr><th>Seed</th><th>Team</th><th>Wins</th><th>Tiebreaker</th><th>Clinched</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Playoff berth</td><td>Division title</td><td>Best record in Conference</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>57</td><td>—</td><td>March 19</td><td>April 3</td><td>April 9</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Dallas Mavericks</td><td>55</td><td>—</td><td>March 26</td><td>April 9</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>54</td><td>—</td><td>March 30</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>53</td><td>3–1 vs. UTA</td><td>March 28</td><td>April 14</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>53</td><td>1–3 vs. DEN</td><td>March 28</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Portland Trail Blazers</td><td>50</td><td>6–1 vs. SA and OKC</td><td>March 31</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>50</td><td>3–4 vs. POR and OKC</td><td>April 4</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>50</td><td>2–6 vs. POR and SA</td><td>April 3</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr></tbody></table>

Home-court advantage

2010 NBA playoffs

The team with the better record earned the home-court advantage through any playoff round, regardless of seeding. (The NBA is the only one of the four major North American leagues that awards home advantage based strictly on record.)

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Team</th><th>Conference</th><th>Division</th><th>Wins</th><th>Losses</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Central</td><td>61</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Southeast</td><td>59</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>Western</td><td>Pacific</td><td>57</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Dallas Mavericks</td><td>Western</td><td>Southwest</td><td>55</td><td>27</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>Western</td><td>Pacific</td><td>54</td><td>28</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>Western</td><td>Northwest</td><td>53</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Atlanta Hawks</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Southeast</td><td>53</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>Western</td><td>Northwest</td><td>53</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Boston Celtics</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Atlantic</td><td>50</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Portland Trail Blazers</td><td>Western</td><td>Northwest</td><td>50</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>Western</td><td>Southwest</td><td>50</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>Western</td><td>Northwest</td><td>50</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Southeast</td><td>47</td><td>35</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Central</td><td>46</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Charlotte Bobcats</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Southeast</td><td>44</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Chicago Bulls</td><td>Eastern</td><td>Central</td><td>41</td><td>41</td></tr></tbody></table>

Bracket

2010 NBA playoffs

Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home court advantage in the NBA Finals does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record (for example, the 4th seed in the Western Conference could have a better regular season record than the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference and would therefore have home court advantage if the two met in the Finals); teams with home court advantage are shown in italics.

<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>Cleveland</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E8</td><td>Chicago</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Cleveland</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Boston</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Boston</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Miami</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Boston</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>Orlando</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Atlanta</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Milwaukee</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Atlanta</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Orlando</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Orlando</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E7</td><td>Charlotte</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Boston</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Oklahoma City</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Utah</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W4</td><td>Denver</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Utah</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Western Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W6</td><td>Portland</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W7</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Dallas</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W7</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

First round

2010 NBA playoffs

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Chicago Bulls

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 5, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 86, Cleveland Cavaliers 85</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>December 4, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 87, Cleveland Cavaliers 101</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>March 19, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers 92, Chicago Bulls 85</td></tr><tr><td>United Center, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>April 8, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers 108, Chicago Bulls 109</td></tr><tr><td>United Center, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Chicago leads 5–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1994 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats

<table><thead><tr><th>Orlando won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 10, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 93, Charlotte Bobcats 81</td></tr><tr><td>Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr><tr><td>November 16, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Bobcats 91, Orlando Magic 97</td></tr><tr><td>Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>January 23, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 106, Charlotte Bobcats 95</td></tr><tr><td>Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr><tr><td>March 14, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Bobcats 96, Orlando Magic 89</td></tr><tr><td>Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hornets franchise winning the first meeting. Note that historical records of the original Charlotte Hornets franchise (later relocated and renamed the New Orleans Pelicans) from 1988 to 2002 are currently with the present Hornets/Bobcats franchise since the 2014–15 season.

<table><thead><tr><th>Charlotte leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2002</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 3, Orlando Magic 1</td></tr><tr><td>2002 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

The Atlanta Hawks quickly took control of the series by winning the first 2 games against the Milwaukee Bucks, without star center Andrew Bogut. But the Bucks managed to take the next 3 games, including a shocking Game 5 win in Atlanta, where they overcame a 9-point deficit in the final 4 minutes. However, Atlanta managed to stave off elimination in front of a raucous Bradley Center crowd, coming away with an 83–69 Game 6 victory. The Hawks then finished off the Bucks in Game 7 and advanced to the next round.

<table><thead><tr><th>Atlanta won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>February 28, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 102, Atlanta Hawks 106</td></tr><tr><td>Philips Arena, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>March 22, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 95, Milwaukee Bucks 98</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee</td></tr><tr><td>April 12, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 104, Milwaukee Bucks 96</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Milwaukee leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 2, Milwaukee Bucks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 3, Milwaukee Bucks 2</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 2, Milwaukee Bucks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Miami Heat

<table><thead><tr><th>Boston won 3–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 29, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 92, Miami Heat 85</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>January 6, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 112, Miami Heat 106</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>February 3, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 102, Boston Celtics 107</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Celtics and the Heat.

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder

• This was the first playoff game at Ford Center in Oklahoma City

• Pau Gasol tip-in hits the series-winning shot after his teammate Kobe Bryant's miss.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 3, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 101, Oklahoma City Thunder 98</td></tr><tr><td>Ford Center, Oklahoma City</td></tr><tr><td>November 22, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Oklahoma City Thunder 85, Los Angeles Lakers 101</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>December 22, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Oklahoma City Thunder 108, Los Angeles Lakers 111</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 75, Oklahoma City Thunder 91</td></tr><tr><td>Ford Center, Oklahoma City</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning five of the first seven meetings. All previous meetings took place while the Thunder franchise were still known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 5–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1978</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Seattle SuperSonics 2</td></tr><tr><td>1978 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Seattle SuperSonics 4</td></tr><tr><td>1979 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Seattle SuperSonics 1</td></tr><tr><td>1980 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Seattle SuperSonics 0</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Seattle SuperSonics 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Seattle SuperSonics 1</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Seattle SuperSonics 1</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs

The Mavs won 55 games and the Southwest Division title, but for the 3rd time in four years, they failed to escape the first round. The 2007 Mavericks were defeated by the Golden State Warriors as a No. 1 seed, and the 2008 Mavericks lost in the 1st round to the New Orleans Hornets. The Mavs took Game 1 in Dallas, but would go on to drop the next three games (including two in San Antonio) to wind up trailing 3 to 1. Dallas won Game 5 to keep their season alive, but the Spurs managed to finish them off with a 10-point win in Game 6.

<table><thead><tr><th>Dallas won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 11, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 83, San Antonio Spurs 92</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>November 18, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 94, Dallas Mavericks 99</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>January 8, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 112, San Antonio Spurs 103</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>April 14, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 89, Dallas Mavericks 96</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2001</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 1, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2001 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 4, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>2006 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 4, San Antonio Spurs 1</td></tr><tr><td>2009 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers

<table><thead><tr><th>Portland won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 17, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 102, Portland Trail Blazers 105</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>February 10, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 108, Phoenix Suns 101</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>March 21, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 87, Phoenix Suns 93</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 3–3 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1979</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 2, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1979 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, Portland Trail Blazers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 2, Portland Trail Blazers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, Portland Trail Blazers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, Portland Trail Blazers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 0, Portland Trail Blazers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Utah Jazz

• Game 6 is Carmelo Anthony's final playoff game with the Nuggets before being traded to the New York Knicks shortly before the trade deadline.

<table><thead><tr><th>Denver won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>October 28, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 105, Denver Nuggets 114</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>January 2, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 105, Utah Jazz 95</td></tr><tr><td>EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>January 17, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 112, Denver Nuggets 119</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>February 6, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 106, Utah Jazz 116</td></tr><tr><td>EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Utah leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 2, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 4, Utah Jazz 1</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 3, Utah Jazz 4</td></tr><tr><td>1994 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

Conference semifinals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Boston Celtics

The Cavaliers were considered heavy favorites coming in but had to rally from an 11-point halftime deficit to win Game 1. The Celtics took home-court in Game 2, as Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo's 19 assists powered them past the Cavaliers to an 18-point victory. The Cavaliers struck back in Game 3 and handed the Celtics their worst home-playoff loss in franchise history. Cavaliers forward LeBron James scored 21 points in the first quarter alone and 38 for the game. Antawn Jamison added another 20. Celtics forward Paul Pierce called the loss "embarrassing". Rondo's triple-double (29 points, a career playoff high 18 rebounds and 13 assists) pushed the Celtics to a Game 4 victory. The Celtics reciprocated their Game 3 humiliation with a 32-point victory in Cleveland during Game 5. LeBron James was held to 3 of 14 shooting. The Celtics clinched the series in Game 6, holding James to 8 of 21 shooting.

The Cavaliers early exit led to James' departure for the Miami Heat during the offseason. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert then accused James of quitting on the team during the series and also alleged that he did the same thing the previous year's Conference Finals. The Cavaliers did not make the playoffs again until the 2014–2015 NBA season (James' first season back in Cleveland), and in fact, they would be the first team Byron Scott failed to take to the playoffs during his tenure as head coach; he had led his two previous teams to the playoffs at least once.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>October 27, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 95, Cleveland Cavaliers 89</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>February 25, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers 108, Boston Celtics 88</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston</td></tr><tr><td>March 14, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 93, Cleveland Cavaliers 104</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>April 4, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers 113, Boston Celtics 117</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1976</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1976 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 3</td></tr><tr><td>2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (3) Atlanta Hawks

The Magic's victory was the most lopsided four-game sweep in playoff history.

<table><thead><tr><th>Orlando won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 26, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 93, Atlanta Hawks 76</td></tr><tr><td>Philips Arena, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>January 9, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 81, Orlando Magic 113</td></tr><tr><td>Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>January 30, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 86, Orlando Magic 104</td></tr><tr><td>Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>March 24, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 84, Atlanta Hawks 86</td></tr><tr><td>Philips Arena, Atlanta</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Orlando leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 1, Orlando Magic 4</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Utah Jazz

• Game 4 is Jerry Sloan's final playoff game as head coach of the Utah Jazz before he resigned following the 2010–2011 season.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 9, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 77, Los Angeles Lakers 101</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>December 12, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 94, Utah Jazz 102</td></tr><tr><td>EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>February 10, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 96, Utah Jazz 81</td></tr><tr><td>EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>April 2, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 92, Los Angeles Lakers 106</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Utah Jazz 4</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 0, Utah Jazz 4</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Utah Jazz 2</td></tr><tr><td>2008 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Utah Jazz 1</td></tr><tr><td>2009 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs

<table><thead><tr><th>Phoenix won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 15, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 104, Phoenix Suns 116</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>February 28, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 110, San Antonio Spurs 113</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>April 7, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 101, Phoenix Suns 112</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning six of the first nine meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio leads 6–3 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 4, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 1</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2005 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2007 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2008 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

Conference finals

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (4) Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were able to hold off a late Magic rally to steal home-court advantage in Game 1. They even used that momentum to grab Game 2 in Orlando to take a 2–0 lead going into Boston. After winning back-to-back road games to begin a series for the first time in franchise history, the Celtics would go on to blow out the Magic by 23 points in Game 3 to take a 3 to nothing lead. The Magic, however, would rally for a desperate Game 4 victory in overtime to force Game 5 in Orlando. Dwight Howard poured in 32 points in that victory. The Celtics seemed to lose control of the series, as the Magic scored another victory in Game 5, making the series 3–2, to force it back to Boston. Boston fans began to become anxious, especially after recently seeing the NHL's Boston Bruins lose their playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers even though the Bruins had a 3–0 lead initially. No team in NBA history has rallied from a 3–0 deficit to win a post-season series. However, Orlando fell short as the Celtics were able to advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years with a 12-point win in Game 6.

<table><thead><tr><th>Orlando won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 20, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 83, Boston Celtics 78</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston</td></tr><tr><td>December 25, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 86, Orlando Magic 77</td></tr><tr><td>Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>January 28, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 94, Orlando Magic 96</td></tr><tr><td>Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>February 7, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 96, Boston Celtics 89</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Orlando leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 1, Orlando Magic 3</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 3, Orlando Magic 4</td></tr><tr><td>2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Phoenix Suns

The Lakers put their home-court advantage to good use by winning the first two games at home. The Suns struck back to tie the series by taking Games 3 & 4 in Phoenix, but after a heart-breaking loss in Game 5 in which Ron Artest followed a missed airball by Kobe Bryant and hit the game-winner at the buzzer, the Suns found themselves trailing 3–2. Los Angeles held off a late Suns rally to steal Game 6 in Phoenix, as Kobe poured in 37 points, including a long jump shot in the final minute that put the game out of reach.

• Game 6 is Amar'e Stoudemire's final game with the Suns before he signed with the New York Knicks following the season.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 12, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 102, Los Angeles Lakers 121</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>December 6, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 88, Los Angeles Lakers 108</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>December 28, 2009</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 103, Phoenix Suns 118</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 102, Phoenix Suns 96</td></tr><tr><td>US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the 12th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning seven of the first 11 meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 7–4 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1970</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 3</td></tr><tr><td>1970 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 1</td></tr><tr><td>1980 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 0</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 2</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Phoenix Suns 0</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Phoenix Suns 4</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 2, Phoenix Suns 3</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 1</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Phoenix Suns 4</td></tr><tr><td>2006 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Phoenix Suns 4</td></tr><tr><td>2007 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

NBA Finals: (W1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E4) Boston Celtics

2010 NBA playoffs

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 31, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 90, Boston Celtics 89</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston</td></tr><tr><td>February 18, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 87, Los Angeles Lakers 86</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the 12th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning nine of the first 11 meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 9–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1959</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Minneapolis Lakers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1959 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1962</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1962 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1963</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1963 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1965</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1965 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1966</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1966 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1968</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1968 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1969</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1969 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1984 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 2, Los Angeles Lakers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1985 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 2, Los Angeles Lakers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1987 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>2008 NBA Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>

Statistic leaders

2010 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>High</th><th>Average</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>Total</td><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>Avg.</td><td>Games played</td></tr><tr><td>Points</td><td>Dwyane Wade</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>46</td><td>Dwyane Wade</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>33.2</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Carlos Boozer Joakim Noah</td><td>Utah Jazz Chicago Bulls</td><td>20 20</td><td>Carlos Boozer</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>13.2</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Rajon Rondo</td><td>Boston Celtics</td><td>19</td><td>Deron Williams</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>10.2</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>John Salmons</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks</td><td>6</td><td>Manu Ginóbili</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>2.6</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Dwight Howard</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>9</td><td>Dwight Howard</td><td>Orlando Magic</td><td>3.5</td><td>14</td></tr></tbody></table>