5 greatest NBA Playoff upsets in history

Nothing indeed seems more thrilling than an unexpected upset, especially in a tournament like the NBA.  Over the years, the NBA playoffs have featured quite a few stunning victories. Now and then, a team that was expected to be in line for the finals will be defeated by a team that just about survived the playoffs.

The NBA is a league where anything can change in the last second as well. A match could be a tie or one team could be leading by 2 points but the last second can change everything if scored a 3-pointer or even a two. There have been many instances where such incidents occur and the whole match turns.

In the same vein, here are five such moments:

5. The Detroit Pistons beat the LA Lakers in the 2004 Finals

The Detroit Pistons record 54-29 in the third season. However, the LA Lakers season record is 56-26 in the second seed. Meanwhile, the LA Lakers indeed had the best and most talented individuals in NBA history throughout the game, but the Pistons beat them easily, and the Lakers lost the game, which is the biggest upset in the history of the NBA Finals.

4. The Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks in the first round in 2007

The Golden State Warriors beat 42-40 in the eighth seed. However, the Dallas Mavericks beat 67-15 in the first seed. Notably, the Dallas Mavericks won a plethora of games in the season, owing to their great players. However, Golden State recorded the greatest victory.

3. The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1977 Finals

Notably, both sides have played around four times in the season and shared a record of 2-2. It has been reported that Philadelphia had great players who averaged double figures. While the Portland Trail Blazers had just two great players, despite that, they went on to win the 1977 Finals, which was the biggest upset in NBA history.

2. The Denver Nuggets beat the Seattle Supersonics in the first round in 1994

Notably, the Seattle Supersonics were in beast form, having registered 63 wins ahead of the playoffs, while the Denver Nuggets barely got 42 wins ahead of the playoffs. However, despite their low wins, the Seattle Supersonics went on to beat the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

1. The Memphis Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first round in 2011

The San Antonio Spurs were the top seed with 61 wins, while the Memphis Grizzlies only had 46 wins in the tournament. However, despite their low wins, they went on to beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first round in 2011.