Back in 2007, the “We Believe” Warriors shocked the world by becoming the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in a seven-game series, upsetting the Dallas Mavericks, who had the best record in the NBA that year with 67 wins. Baron Davis’s explosive gameplay and Stephen Jackson’s sharpshooting became the stuff of legend. Of course, this wasn’t a simple David vs. Goliath battle; it was a statistical marvel. This series was a 4-2 victory in favor of the Warriors, a team that won 25 fewer games in the regular season compared to the Mavericks. You can’t overstate how stunning this upset was, considering the point differential and the nation’s sports media, including ESPN, who were already counting out the Warriors even before Game 1.
Young fans might not know this, but the Denver Nuggets pulled off another monumental upset in 1994 when Dikembe Mutombo’s squad beat the Seattle SuperSonics. The Sonics, led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, were dominant in the regular season with a 63-19 record. The Nuggets were an eighth seed and very few gave them a fighting chance. The Nuggets managed to win that series 3-2, and Mutombo’s reaction—him lying on the floor clutching the ball—will be etched in NBA history forever. The Nuggets had a points-per-game average significantly lower than the Sonics, making this upset not just emotional but incredibly unexpected.
Fast forward to more recent times, the 2012 Philadelphia 76ers also made headlines when they eliminated the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. With Derrick Rose, the league’s MVP, leading the Bulls, they ended the regular season with 50 wins in a lockout-shortened season. However, an injury to Rose in Game 1 changed the entire dynamics of the series. Statistically, the Bulls led the league in defense, allowing just 88.2 points per game. Despite this, the 76ers managed to clinch the series by focusing on a high-efficiency offense and excellent team defense, which can be a lesson in how unpredictable playoffs can be.
Let’s talk about the 1999 New York Knicks, another eighth seed that went all the way to the NBA Finals. They faced the Miami Heat in the first round. At that time, the Heat were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and had a 33-17 record in a lockout-shortened season. The Knicks, armed with grit and determination, won the series 3-2 after Allan Houston hit a memorable runner to clinch the series in Game 5. This was a remarkable achievement for a team that had a turbulent season, dealing with key injuries and a coaching change. Just goes to show how unpredictable the NBA can be.
Another underdog success story includes the Memphis Grizzlies in 2011. They defeated the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs, a team known for their surgical precision and efficient gameplay. The Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, finished the regular season with 61 wins. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, had only 46. Zach Randolph dominated the paint, and Tony Allen’s defense smothered the Spurs in crucial moments. It was Memphis’s first playoff series win ever, carving their name in the annals of NBA history as giant slayers.
When considering these upsets, you can’t overlook the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Although not a classic underdog by regular-season performance, remember that no one thought they could knock off the Golden State Warriors in the Finals. The Warriors were the epitome of NBA dominance, winning three of the last four championships. Yet, Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors in an impressive 4-2 series win. Toronto’s victory wasn’t just about who they beat but how they did it. They managed to disrupt the Warriors’ historically efficient offense, holding them to just 105.7 points per game in the series, compared to their regular-season average of 117.7.
While these stories highlight underdog victories in the postseason, regular season games can also surprise. For example, in 2016, the lowly Los Angeles Lakers, who finished the season with just 17 wins, managed to defeat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in a regular-season game. This wasn’t just a fluke win; it was a game where the Lakers played extraordinary defense and forced Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson into inefficient shooting nights. This kind of upset keeps the league exciting, reminding us that in basketball, anything is possible.
The nuances of these upsets highlight the unpredictability that makes NBA games so thrilling. It’s not just about raw talent or regular season performance; it’s about heart, strategy, and sometimes a little bit of luck. For those thinking of placing a bet on the next underdog, consider checking out arena plus, where you can find the latest odds and insights.