2017 NBA playoffs
The 2017 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the 2016–17 season. The playoffs began on April 15, 2017, and ended on June 12, with the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors defeating the Eastern Conference champion and defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. It was the first time in NBA Finals history that the same two teams appeared in three consecutive Finals. The Warriors finished with the best postseason record in NBA history, spanning a win-loss record of 16–1 (.941). Kevin Durant, who joined the Warriors by signing, made his second NBA Finals appearance, having previously lost in (/wiki/2012NBAFinals) with the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Miami Heat.
Article
2017 NBA playoffs
The 2017 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the 2016–17 season. The playoffs began on April 15, 2017, and ended on June 12, with the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors defeating the Eastern Conference champion and defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. It was the first time in NBA Finals history that the same two teams appeared in three consecutive Finals. The Warriors finished with the best postseason record in NBA history, spanning a win-loss record of 16–1 (.941). Kevin Durant, who joined the Warriors by signing, made his second NBA Finals appearance, having previously lost in (/wiki/2012NBAFinals) with the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Miami Heat.
Overview
Western Conference
• The Golden State Warriors clinched the best record in the league for 3rd straight season and entered their fifth consecutive postseason for the first time since making six straight appearances from 1947 to 1952. • The San Antonio Spurs entered their 20th consecutive postseason which was the longest active playoffs streak in Major North American Sports after the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL missed the playoffs for the 1st time in 25 years, including back–to–back 60+ wins for the first time in franchise history. However, they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals after Kawhi Leonard's ankle injury in Game 1, forcing him to miss the rest of the series. • The Houston Rockets entered their fifth consecutive postseason. However, they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Semifinals. • The Los Angeles Clippers entered their franchise record sixth consecutive postseason. However, they were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the first round. • The Utah Jazz clinched the playoffs spot for the first time since (/wiki/2012NBAplayoffs) and their first playoffs series win since (/wiki/2010NBAplayoffs). However, they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Semifinals. • The Oklahoma City Thunder entered their second consecutive postseason. However, they were eliminated by the Houston Rockets in the first round, their earliest exit since (/wiki/2010NBAplayoffs). • The Memphis Grizzlies entered their seventh consecutive postseason. However, they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round for the second straight year. • The Portland Trail Blazers entered their fourth consecutive postseason. However, they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
Eastern Conference
• The Boston Celtics entered their third consecutive postseason and clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference for the first time since (/wiki/2008NBAplayoffs). However, they were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals. • The defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers entered their third consecutive postseason. However, they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, dashing their hopes of back–to–back titles. • The Toronto Raptors entered their fourth consecutive postseason, including back–to–back 50+ wins for the first time in franchise history. However, they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Semifinals. • The Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls clinched a playoff spot for the first time since (/wiki/2015NBAplayoffs). Milwaukee and Chicago were eliminated by Toronto and Boston, respectively. The Washington Wizards were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Conference Semifinals. It should also be noted that Game 6 of the Wizards–Celtics game was the last time before Verizon Center renames to Capital One Arena. • The Atlanta Hawks entered their 10th consecutive postseason, one shy of their postseason streak of 11 (1963–73). However, they were eliminated by the Washington Wizards in the first round. • The Indiana Pacers entered their second consecutive postseason. However, they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. • With a 4th seed in the playoffs, the Wizards had their highest seed under a 16–team playoff format.
First round
• This was the first time, in a best–of–7 series, that an 8th seed (Chicago Bulls) went up 2–0 against a 1st seed (Boston Celtics) in the first round. It is the second time this happened overall; the Los Angeles Lakers did it against the Phoenix Suns in (/wiki/1993NBAplayoffs), which was a best–of–five series that Phoenix eventually won 3 games to 2. • Cleveland became the first team in playoffs history to come back from a 25–point halftime deficit and win when they beat the Pacers in Game 3. • The Cavaliers became the first team to sweep an opponent while giving up 100+ points every game since the Houston Rockets allowed 100+ in all 4 games during their sweep of the Orlando Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals. • The Boston Celtics became the 19th team to come back after trailing 2–0, against the Bulls. They were also the 4th team in NBA history to lose the first two games of a best–of–7 series at home and still win the series. • Game 7 between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz ensured an 18th-straight postseason in which at least one Game 7 was played; (/wiki/1999NBAplayoffs) was the last postseason to not feature a Game 7. • The Clippers became the first NBA team to blow five straight postseason series leads. • It was the first series win for the Toronto Raptors where they didn't need all the games of the series. Previously they had beaten the Knicks in 2001 in a best of 5 in five games. In 2016 their two series wins were obtained in seven games each.
Conference semifinals
• The Houston Rockets are the first team to open their series with a blowout only to get blown out in the second game. • Trailing by 14 and 13 in Games 1 and 2 respectively, the Boston Celtics became the first team to come back and win back–to–back games after trailing by double digits in the first quarter. • The 27–point loss in Game 1 is San Antonio's largest defeat in a postseason home game. • Scoring 125 points in a Game 2 blowout victory against the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers set a franchise record for most points scored in a postseason game. Their previous record was 124, in 2010. • 18 of 21 conference semifinals games were decided by 10 points or more. Eight of these games were decided by over 20 points. • With a four–game sweep against the Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the second team to have six playoffs series sweeps in three consecutive postseasons (2015–2017) since the Lakers did it in 1987–1989. They also became the first team to start 8–0 in two straight playoffs. • The Cavaliers' Game 4 win over the Raptors gave them their 11th consecutive postseason win (a streak dating back to Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals), setting a franchise record. • With a four–game sweep against Utah, Golden State swept consecutive playoff series for the first time in franchise history and also had their best eight–game postseason start in franchise history. • The Cavaliers and Warriors both started the NBA postseason with 8–0 records, the first time in NBA history that two teams started 8–0 in the same postseason since switching to a seven-game format. • In a series–ending 114–75 loss against the Spurs, the Houston Rockets set an NBA record for fewest two–point field goals made in a game. They made 9 of 37, while the previous record was 11 of 41.
Conference finals
• After trailing as much as 25 points, Golden State Warriors came back and won against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1. This is the second largest comeback in the Conference Finals since the Celtics came back from 26 to beat the Nets in Game 3 of the (/wiki/2002NBAplayoffs) Eastern Conference Finals. • With a 36–point win against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2, this is the Golden State Warriors' 2nd largest margin of victory in postseason history. (The largest is 39-point set back in (/wiki/1948BAAPlayoffs), which would be surpassed in the following year when the Warriors defeat Rockets by 41.) • After trailing as much as 21 points, the Boston Celtics surged back with a 28–10 third quarter run against the Cleveland Cavaliers to win Game 3. This was also the Cavaliers' first loss this postseason, as well as their first loss in a postseason game since Game 4 of the previous year's Finals, snapping an NBA playoff record tying 13 game winning streak. • With a four-game sweep against the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors earned the distinction of having a 12–0 postseason record, the first in NBA history. They are also the first team to have 3 best–of–7 series sweeps, and join the 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers (who ironically, would get swept themselves by the Detroit Pistons) and the 2000–01 Lakers as the only teams to be undefeated going into the championship round, and the only one to have done it under the 7–7–7–7 format since it was introduced in 2003.
NBA Finals
The Golden State Warriors began the finals with a playoff record of 12–0. They dominated the first two games, and although game three was more competitive, the Warriors still came out victors. They took a 3–0 lead bringing them to 15–0 in the playoffs, the best ever start in NBA playoff history. The Cavs countered beating the Warriors 137–116 in Game four, with 86 points in the first half, setting an NBA Finals' record. On June 12, the Warriors bounced back and won game five at home 129–120, clinching the organization's fifth championship. Golden State's 16–1 record is an NBA playoff record since 2001 for fewest games attempted to achieve an NBA championship. The title was the first for All–Star forward Kevin Durant and the second in three years for All–Stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Durant, who scored over 30 points in each of the five games (the first player to do so since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 with Los Angeles), was the recipient of the 2017 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award.
Format
2017 NBA playoffs
Within each conference, the eight teams with the most wins qualify for the playoffs. The seedings are based on each team's record.
Each conference's bracket is fixed; there is no reseeding. All rounds are best-of-seven series; the team that has four wins advances to the next round. As stated above, all rounds, including the NBA Finals, are in a 2–2–1–1–1 format. Home court advantage in any round belongs to the higher-seeded team, who has the better regular season record. If two teams with the same record meet in a round, standard tiebreaker rules are used. The rule for determining home court advantage in the NBA Finals is winning percentage, then head-to-head record, followed by record vs. opposite conference.
Playoff qualifying
2017 NBA playoffs
The Cleveland Cavaliers became the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff spot on March 19, 2017.
Eastern Conference
<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Seed</th><th rowspan="2">Team</th><th rowspan="2">Record</th><th colspan="4">Clinched</th></tr><tr><th>Playoff berth</th><th>Division title</th><th>Best record in conference</th><th>Best record in NBA</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Boston Celtics</td><td>53–29</td><td>March 21</td><td>April 10</td><td>April 12</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>51–31</td><td>March 19</td><td>March 24</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Toronto Raptors</td><td>51–31</td><td>March 25</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Washington Wizards</td><td>49–33</td><td>March 24</td><td>March 28</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Atlanta Hawks</td><td>43–39</td><td>April 8</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks</td><td>42–40</td><td>April 8</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Indiana Pacers</td><td>42–40</td><td>April 12</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Chicago Bulls</td><td>41–41</td><td>April 12</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr></tbody></table>
Western Conference
<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Seed</th><th rowspan="2">Team</th><th rowspan="2">Record</th><th colspan="4">Clinched</th></tr><tr><th>Playoff berth</th><th>Division title</th><th>Best record in Conference</th><th>Best record in NBA</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>67–15</td><td>February 25</td><td>March 16</td><td>April 5</td><td>April 5</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>61–21</td><td>March 4</td><td>March 31</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Houston Rockets</td><td>55–27</td><td>March 14</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Los Angeles Clippers</td><td>51–31</td><td>March 25</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>51–31</td><td>March 26</td><td>April 7</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>47–35</td><td>March 29</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Memphis Grizzlies</td><td>43–39</td><td>March 31</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Portland Trail Blazers</td><td>41–41</td><td>April 9</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr></tbody></table>
Bracket
2017 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 with an asterisk. Teams with home court advantage are shown in Italics.
<table><thead><tr><th></th><th colspan="3">First Round</th><th></th><th></th><th colspan="3">Conference Semifinals</th><th></th><th></th><th colspan="3">Conference Finals</th><th></th><th></th><th colspan="3">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 rowspan="2">E1</td><td rowspan="2">Boston</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="9"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="21"></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E8</td><td rowspan="2">Chicago</td><td rowspan="2">2</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E1</td><td rowspan="2">Boston</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3" rowspan="2"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E4</td><td rowspan="2">Washington</td><td rowspan="2">3</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E4</td><td rowspan="2">Washington</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E5</td><td rowspan="2">Atlanta</td><td rowspan="2">2</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E1</td><td rowspan="2">Boston</td><td rowspan="2">1</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="8" rowspan="2">Eastern Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E2</td><td rowspan="2">Cleveland</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E3</td><td rowspan="2">Toronto</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="9"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E6</td><td rowspan="2">Milwaukee</td><td rowspan="2">2</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E3</td><td rowspan="2">Toronto</td><td rowspan="2">0</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3" rowspan="2"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E2</td><td rowspan="2">Cleveland</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E2</td><td rowspan="2">Cleveland</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">E7</td><td rowspan="2">Indiana</td><td rowspan="2">0</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">E2</td><td rowspan="2">Cleveland</td><td rowspan="2">1</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="13" rowspan="2"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W1</td><td rowspan="2">Golden State</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W1</td><td rowspan="2">Golden State</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="9"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="20"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W8</td><td rowspan="2">Portland</td><td rowspan="2">0</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W1</td><td rowspan="2">Golden State</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3" rowspan="2"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W5</td><td rowspan="2">Utah</td><td rowspan="2">0</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W4</td><td rowspan="2">LA Clippers</td><td rowspan="2">3</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W5</td><td rowspan="2">Utah</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W1</td><td rowspan="2">Golden State</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="8" rowspan="2">Western Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W2</td><td rowspan="2">San Antonio</td><td rowspan="2">0</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W3</td><td rowspan="2">Houston</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="8"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W6</td><td rowspan="2">Oklahoma City</td><td rowspan="2">1</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W3</td><td rowspan="2">Houston</td><td rowspan="2">2</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3" rowspan="2"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td><td rowspan="2">W2</td><td rowspan="2">San Antonio</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W2</td><td rowspan="2">San Antonio</td><td rowspan="2">4</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="5" rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td rowspan="2">W7</td><td rowspan="2">Memphis</td><td rowspan="2">2</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
First round
2017 NBA playoffs
All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−04:00)
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Chicago Bulls
The Celtics become the fourth team to win a best-of-seven playoff series after losing the first 2 games at home. After trailing 2–0 in the series, the Celtics came back to tie the series as Rajon Rondo was ruled out indefinitely after breaking his right thumb in Game 2, and Al Horford scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in Game 3, and Isaiah Thomas scorched the Bulls for 33 points in Game 4. The Celtics' win in Game 5 would be the only home game victory of the series, and Avery Bradley scored 23 points in Game 6 as the Celtics eliminated the Bulls. Notably, this series began one day following the death of Chyna Thomas, younger sister of Isaiah, in a one-car accident. Thomas played all six games of the series, before returning to the state of Washington for her funeral on April 29. Game 6 also marked the final game of Jimmy Butler's tenure as a Bull.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>October 27, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 99, Chicago Bulls 105</td></tr><tr><td>United Center, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>November 2, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Chicago Bulls 100, Boston Celtics 107</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr><tr><td>February 16, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 103, Chicago Bulls 104</td></tr><tr><td>United Center, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Chicago Bulls 80, Boston Celtics 100</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first four meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 4–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 4, Chicago Bulls 0</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 3, Chicago Bulls 0</td></tr><tr><td>1986 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 3, Chicago Bulls 0</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 4, Chicago Bulls 3</td></tr><tr><td>2009 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Indiana Pacers
In Game 1, LeBron James scored 32 points in a close battle; the Pacers came back in the 4th quarter, but C.J. Miles missed a game-winning three, giving the Cavaliers the win. But after winning Game 2, the Cavs were down by as many as 26 points in the first half of Game 3. The Pacers were in control until the Cavs led by James' triple-double of 41 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists came roaring back in the second half and took the lead late in the fourth quarter. They would end up winning Game 3, 119–114, as they made it one of the largest comebacks in NBA playoff history. With the Pacers holding a 2-point lead with over a minute left in Game 4, James hit the three over Myles Turner, giving the Cavs a one-point lead. Later, Kyle Korver's free throws increases the lead to three. The Pacers had a chance to extend the game, but Paul George missed the three, and James secured the rebound. He would make 1 of the 2 free throws to seal the Cavs' 4-game sweep over the Pacers. Game 4 would be George's final game as a Pacer.
<table><thead><tr><th>Cleveland won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 16, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 93, Indiana Pacers 103</td></tr><tr><td>Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>February 8, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 132, Indiana Pacers 117</td></tr><tr><td>Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>February 15, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Indiana Pacers 104, Cleveland Cavaliers 113</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>April 2, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Indiana Pacers 130, Cleveland Cavaliers 135 (2OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pacers winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 1, Indiana Pacers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
<table><thead><tr><th>Toronto won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 25, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Toronto Raptors 105, Milwaukee Bucks 99</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>December 12, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Milwaukee Bucks 100, Toronto Raptors 122</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr><tr><td>January 27, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Milwaukee Bucks 86, Toronto Raptors 102</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr><tr><td>March 4, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Toronto Raptors 94, Milwaukee Bucks 101</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first meeting in the playoffs between the Raptors and Bucks.
(4) Washington Wizards vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
<table><thead><tr><th>Washington won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>October 27, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Wizards 99, Atlanta Hawks 114</td></tr><tr><td>Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia</td></tr><tr><td>November 4, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Atlanta Hawks 92, Washington Wizards 95</td></tr><tr><td>Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr><tr><td>January 27, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Wizards 112, Atlanta Hawks 86</td></tr><tr><td>Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia</td></tr><tr><td>March 22, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Atlanta Hawks 100, Washington Wizards 104</td></tr><tr><td>Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Wizards/Bullets winning three of the first five meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Washington/Baltimore leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1965</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">St. Louis Hawks 1, Baltimore Bullets 3</td></tr><tr><td>1965 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1966</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Baltimore Bullets 0, St. Louis Hawks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1966 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1978</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Bullets 2, Atlanta Hawks 0</td></tr><tr><td>1978 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Bullets 4, Atlanta Hawks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1979 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Wizards 2, Atlanta Hawks 4</td></tr><tr><td>2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers
<table><thead><tr><th>Golden State won 4–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 1, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 127, Portland Trail Blazers 104</td></tr><tr><td>Moda Center, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>December 17, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Portland Trail Blazers 90, Golden State Warriors 135</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr><tr><td>January 4, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Portland Trail Blazers 117, Golden State Warriors 125</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr><tr><td>January 29, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 113, Portland Trail Blazers 111</td></tr><tr><td>Moda Center, Portland, Oregon</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with Golden State winning the first meeting in 2016.
<table><thead><tr><th>Golden State leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>2016</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Portland Trail Blazers 1, Golden State Warriors 4</td></tr><tr><td>2016 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies
In game 4, Marc Gasol hit the game-winning shot with 0.7 seconds left in overtime.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>February 6, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 74, Memphis Grizzlies 89</td></tr><tr><td>FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee</td></tr><tr><td>March 18, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 96, Memphis Grizzlies 104</td></tr><tr><td>FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee</td></tr><tr><td>March 23, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Memphis Grizzlies 90, San Antonio Spurs 97</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>April 4, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Memphis Grizzlies 89, San Antonio Spurs 95 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with San Antonio winning three of the four meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>2004</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 4, Memphis Grizzlies 0</td></tr><tr><td>2004 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 2, Memphis Grizzlies 4</td></tr><tr><td>2011 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 4, Memphis Grizzlies 0</td></tr><tr><td>2013 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 4, Memphis Grizzlies 0</td></tr><tr><td>2016 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(3) Houston Rockets vs. (6) Oklahoma City Thunder
<table><thead><tr><th>Houston won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 16, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 103, Oklahoma City Thunder 105</td></tr><tr><td>Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</td></tr><tr><td>December 9, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 102, Oklahoma City Thunder 99</td></tr><tr><td>Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</td></tr><tr><td>January 5, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Oklahoma City Thunder 116, Houston Rockets 118</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Oklahoma City Thunder 125, Houston Rockets 137</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Thunder/SuperSonics winning six of the first seven meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Oklahoma City/Seattle leads 6–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 1, Seattle SuperSonics 2</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 2, Seattle SuperSonics 4</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 0, Seattle SuperSonics 3</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 3, Seattle SuperSonics 4</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 0, Seattle SuperSonics 4</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 4, Seattle SuperSonics 3</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 2, Oklahoma City Thunder 4</td></tr><tr><td>2013 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
• This is the most recent playoff series between the Thunder & Rockets until (/wiki/2020NBAplayoffs).
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Utah Jazz
In Game 1, Joe Johnson hits the game-winner at the buzzer.
• Game 7 is Paul Pierce's final NBA game. It is also Chris Paul's final game with the Clippers before being traded to the Rockets during the offseason.
<table><thead><tr><th>L.A. Clippers won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>October 30, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Utah Jazz 75, Los Angeles Clippers 88</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr><tr><td>February 13, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Los Angeles Clippers 88, Utah Jazz 72</td></tr><tr><td>Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah</td></tr><tr><td>March 13, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Los Angeles Clippers 108, Utah Jazz 114</td></tr><tr><td>Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah</td></tr><tr><td>March 25, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Utah Jazz 95, Los Angeles Clippers 108</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Jazz winning the previous two meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Utah leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Los Angeles Clippers 2, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference Final Round</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Los Angeles Clippers 0, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference semifinals
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (4) Washington Wizards
• In Game 6, John Wall hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 9, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 93, Washington Wizards 118</td></tr><tr><td>Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr><tr><td>January 11, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Wizards 108, Boston Celtics 117</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr><tr><td>January 24, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 108, Washington Wizards 123</td></tr><tr><td>Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr><tr><td>March 20, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Washington Wizards 102, Boston Celtics 110</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning two of the first three meetings. Memorably, during the first quarter of Game 1, Isaiah Thomas was struck in the mouth by Otto Porter's elbow, immediately knocking out one tooth, and causing further damage. As Porter prepared to shoot a pair of free throws, Thomas calmly retrieved and pocketed his fallen tooth, then hit two three-point field goals in the following two minutes, before being pulled from the game for medical attention. Thomas went on to play the entire seven-game series, including a 53-point effort to lead his team to an overtime victory in Game 2, all while wearing temporary protection in his mouth. He underwent extensive oral surgery after the playoffs to mitigate the damage.
<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1975</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 2, Washington Bullets 4</td></tr><tr><td>1975 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 4, Washington Bullets 1</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 3, Washington Bullets 1</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (3) Toronto Raptors
<table><thead><tr><th>Cleveland won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>October 28, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 94, Toronto Raptors 91</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr><tr><td>November 15, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Toronto Raptors 117, Cleveland Cavaliers 121</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>December 5, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 116, Toronto Raptors 112</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr><tr><td>April 12, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Toronto Raptors 98, Cleveland Cavaliers 83</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with Cleveland winning the first meeting in 2016.
<table><thead><tr><th>Cleveland leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>2016</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Toronto Raptors 2, Cleveland Cavaliers 4</td></tr><tr><td>2016 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (5) Utah Jazz
• This was Gordon Hayward's last game in Utah as he joined the Boston Celtics during the following offseason.
<table><thead><tr><th>Golden State won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>December 8, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 106, Utah Jazz 99</td></tr><tr><td>Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah</td></tr><tr><td>December 20, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Utah Jazz 74, Golden State Warriors 104</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr><tr><td>April 10, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Utah Jazz 105, Golden State Warriors 99</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning two of the first three meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Golden State leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 3, Utah Jazz 2</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 3, Utah Jazz 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 1, Utah Jazz 4</td></tr><tr><td>2007 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Houston Rockets
• In Game 5, Manu Ginóbili blocked James Harden's game-tying 3-point attempt in overtime before the buzzer sounded.
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 9, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 101, San Antonio Spurs 99</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>November 12, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 106, Houston Rockets 100</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>December 20, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 102, Houston Rockets 100</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 6, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 110, San Antonio Spurs 112</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the first three meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Houston leads 3–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1980</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 2, San Antonio Spurs 1</td></tr><tr><td>1980 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 4, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Houston Rockets 4, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Western Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference finals
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers
• This was Isaiah Thomas' last game in Boston as a hip injury would not allow him to dress for the remainder of the playoffs. He and teammate Jae Crowder would be traded to the Cavaliers during the following offseason.
• In Game 3, Avery Bradley hit the game-winning three-pointer with 0.1 seconds left.
<table><thead><tr><th>Cleveland won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 3, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 122, Cleveland Cavaliers 128</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>December 29, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 118, Cleveland Cavaliers 124</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>March 1, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 99, Boston Celtics 103</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr><tr><td>April 5, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 114, Boston Celtics 91</td></tr><tr><td>TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning four of the first six meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 4–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1976</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1976 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 4, Boston Celtics 3</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Boston Celtics 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 3</td></tr><tr><td>2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 2, Boston Celtics 4</td></tr><tr><td>2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 4, Boston Celtics 0</td></tr><tr><td>2015 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (2) 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>October 25, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">San Antonio Spurs 129, Golden State Warriors 100</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr><tr><td>March 11, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 85, San Antonio Spurs 107</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 29, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 110, San Antonio Spurs 98</td></tr><tr><td>AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series. San Antonio led by as many as 25 points in Game 1 before Kawhi Leonard had to leave the game and the series after he landed on Zaza Pachulia's foot, re-aggravating his existing ankle injury.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 3, San Antonio Spurs 1</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2013 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
2017 NBA Finals: (E2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (W1) Golden State Warriors
2017 NBA playoffs
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>December 25, 2016</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 108, Cleveland Cavaliers 109</td></tr><tr><td>Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>January 16, 2017</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Cleveland Cavaliers 91, Golden State Warriors 126</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the third meeting in the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers with each team winning one series.
<table><thead><tr><th>Teams tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>2015 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Golden State Warriors 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 4</td></tr><tr><td>2016 NBA Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
Statistical leaders
2017 NBA playoffs
<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Category</th><th colspan="3">Game high</th><th colspan="4">Average</th></tr><tr><th>Player</th><th>Team</th><th>High</th><th>Player</th><th>Team</th><th>Avg.</th><th>GP</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Points</td><td>Isaiah Thomas</td><td>Boston Celtics</td><td>53</td><td>Russell Westbrook</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>37.4</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Kevin Love</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>21</td><td>DeAndre Jordan</td><td>Los Angeles Clippers</td><td>14.4</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>John Wall</td><td>Washington Wizards</td><td>16</td><td>Russell Westbrook</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>10.8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Thaddeus Young Kawhi Leonard Stephen Curry Kevin Love</td><td>Indiana Pacers San Antonio Spurs Golden State Warriors Cleveland Cavaliers</td><td>6</td><td>Russell Westbrook André Roberson</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>2.40</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Draymond Green</td><td>Golden State Warriors</td><td>6</td><td>André Roberson</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td><td>3.40</td><td>5</td></tr></tbody></table>
Media coverage
Television
ESPN, TNT, ABC, ESPN2, and NBA TV broadcast the playoffs nationally in the United States. In the first round, regional sports networks affiliated with the teams could also broadcast the games, except for games televised on ABC. Throughout the first two rounds, TNT televised games Saturday through Thursday, ESPN televised games Friday and Saturday, and ABC televised selected games on Saturday and Sunday, usually in the afternoon. NBA TV and ESPN2 aired select weekday games in the first round. TNT televised the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was televised on ABC, while Games 2 through 4 were televised on ESPN. ABC had exclusive television rights to the NBA Finals for the 15th consecutive year.