Chances for Winning by the Losers
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Recreation Sports -> subcategory Gambling Casinos.
When Underdogs Challenge the Odds: A Glimpse at NBA Playoffs
Summary:
It's intriguing how professional sports sometimes allow teams with losing records to vie for world titles.In baseball, we've seen close calls with teams like the 2005 San Diego Padres and the 1973 New York Mets. The NFL has only seen two .500 teams enter the playoffs since 1991 ?" the 1991 New York Jets and the 2004 St. Louis Rams. The NBA, however, regularly features teams with losing records in playoff contention come late April and May.
Here's a look at how teams with subpar records have fared over the past decade:
First Round Playoff Stats (Last 10 Years)
- Year: Teams at .500 or below | First round games won | Series won- 1996: 2 | 2 | 0
- 1997: 3 | 2 | 0
- 1998: 1 | 2 | 0
- 1999: 1 | 1 | 0
- 2000: 0 | 0 | 0
- 2001: 1 | 1 | 0
- 2002: 0 | 0 | 0
- 2003: 0 | 0 | 0
- 2004: 4 | 4 | 0
- 2005: 0 | 0 | 0
Despite 15 teams having a shot over the past decade, none advanced past the first round. In 2004, four Eastern teams tried but failed to move forward.
The last team with a losing record to win a series was the 1988 Seattle Supersonics. With a 39-43 record, they reached the conference finals after beating Dallas and Houston before being swept by the Lakers. Since then, 31 under-.500 teams have made the playoffs without series wins.
So, what are the prospects for Milwaukee (40-42), Chicago (41-41), and Indiana (41-41) this year? While upsets are always possible, let’s analyze their match-ups.
(1) Detroit vs. (8) Milwaukee
No 1-seed has lost in the first round since the lockout-shortened 1999 season. Historically, the 1994 Denver Nuggets were the last to upset a top seed in a full season.With Flip Saunders leading, Detroit’s mix of strong offense and defense resulted in a franchise-best record (64-18). The player matchups heavily favor Detroit:
- PG: Billups vs. Ford ?" Advantage: Detroit
- SG: Hamilton vs. Redd ?" Advantage: Detroit
- SF: Prince vs. Simmons ?" Advantage: Detroit
- PF: R. Wallace vs. Bogut ?" Advantage: Detroit
- C: B. Wallace vs. Magloire ?" Advantage: Detroit
Milwaukee’s struggles are compounded with Toni Kukoc’s injury possibly impacting their strategy.
Prediction: Pistons in a sweep
(2) Miami vs. (7) Chicago
Chicago is entering the playoffs on a hot streak, winning 12 of their last 14. Their defense, leading the NBA for the second straight season in defensive field-goal percentage (.426), is formidable.Offensively, their drive-and-kick game poses challenges. With strong 3-point shooting from Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, they are dangerous.
However, the Heat, settled in the No. 2 spot since January, are unlikely to slack. Even with Wade subdued, Shaq remains a force.
Prediction: Heat in 5
(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Indiana
This matchup offers the best chance for a .500 team to advance. Both teams have top-tier defenses, and their mutual respect suggests a competitive series.Jermaine O’Neal is healthy, but stopping Vince Carter is critical. Stojakovic and Jackson need to be at their best for an upset.
This is likely to be a tight series. Given the Nets' solid home record (29-12), they have the edge.
Prediction: Nets in 7
For more insights and to place bets, visit WagerWeb.com Sportsbook.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Chances for Winning by the Losers.
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