The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers four games to one.
This was the 76er's first appearance in the championship round since Moses Malone and Julius Erving led the 1983 squad to the NBA championship (coincidently, last defeating the Lakers) in the famous "'fo, fo', fo'" year (which ended up being "fo', fi', fo", as Philadelphia lost one second-round game that year).
However, this was the Laker's turn to put together the most dominant postseason in league history, finishing 15-1 with their only setback being an overtime loss to the Sixers in Game 1 of the championship round. The Lakers set a multitude of playoff records, including going undefeated in both regulation and on the road (finishing an unprecedented 8-0 in the latter category). They were the second NBA champion to defeat 4 successive 50-win or better teams on their way to the title as the Houston Rockets did it first in 1995. This team is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time along with the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers, 1986 Boston Celtics, 1996 Chicago Bulls, 1983 Philadelphia 76ers, and 1987 Los Angeles Lakers.
The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the surprise teams of the playoffs, winning a playoff series for the first time since 1989 and advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1986. As of 2009[update], however, they have been unable to duplicate this feat.
The Dallas Mavericks also ended years of futility in the 2001 playoffs, making the postseason for the first time since 1990. Along the way they had had several abysmal seasons including back-to-back years with only 11 and 13 wins. By stunning the Utah Jazz in the first round, the Mavericks won their first playoff series since 1988.
The Sacramento Kings won their first playoff series since 1981 (when they were then known as the Kansas City Kings)and first since the franchise moved to Sacramento.
The Toronto Raptors won their first playoff series in franchise history with a 3-2 series win over the New York Knicks, but fell in seven games to the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The total of number of playoff games in the NBA Playoffs is 72, including the NBA Finals.
For the first time since 1991, the New York Knicks failed to win a first round playoff series (losing to the Toronto Raptors 3 games to 2).
Contents |
Bracket
| First Round | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | NBA Finals | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | San Antonio | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Minnesota | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | San Antonio | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Dallas | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Utah | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Dallas | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | San Antonio | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Sacramento | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Phoenix | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Sacramento | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | L.A. Lakers | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Portland | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| W2 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Philadelphia | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Indiana | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Toronto | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | New York | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Toronto | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Milwaukee | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Miami | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Charlotte | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Charlotte | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Milwaukee | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Milwaukee | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Orlando | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Playoff qualifying
Western Conference
Best record in NBA
The San Antonio Spurs clinched the best record in the NBA, and earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when San Antonio lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:
- San Antonio Spurs (clinched Midwest division)
- Los Angeles Lakers (clinched Pacific division)
- Sacramento Kings
- Utah Jazz
- Dallas Mavericks
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Eastern Conference
Best record in conference
The Philadelphia 76ers clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, and had home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:
- Philadelphia 76ers (clinched Atlantic division)
- Milwaukee Bucks (clinched Central division)
- Miami Heat
- New York Knicks
- Toronto Raptors
- Charlotte Hornets
- Orlando Magic
- Indiana Pacers
Western Conference
Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
First Round
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(SA-MIN) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Minnesota | 82 | San Antonio | 87 | 1-0 | Alamodome, San Antonio | NBC 5:30et | [1] | Bob Costas & Matt Guokas |
| 2 | April 23 | Minnesota | 69 | San Antonio | 86 | 2-0 | Alamodome, San Antonio | TNT 9:30et | [2] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| 3 | April 28 | San Antonio | 84 | Minnesota | 93 | 2-1 | Target Center, Minneapolis | NBC 5:30et | [3] | Bob Costas & Matt Guokas |
| 4 | April 30 | San Antonio | 97 | Minnesota | 84 | 3-1 | Target Center, Minneapolis | TNT 8:30et | [4] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| San Antonio wins series 3–1 |
||||||||||
(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(UTA-DAL) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Dallas | 86 | Utah | 88 | 1-0 | Delta Center, Utah | NBC 3:00et | [5] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 2 | April 24 | Dallas | 98 | Utah | 109 | 2-0 | Delta Center, Utah | TBS 10:30et | [6] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| 3 | April 28 | Utah | 91 | Dallas | 94 | 2-1 | Reunion Arena, Dallas | NBC 3:00et | [7] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 4 | May 1 | Utah | 77 | Dallas | 107 | 2–2 | Reunion Arena, Dallas | TBS 9:30et | [8] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| 5 | May 3 | Dallas | 84 | Utah | 83 | 2–3 | Delta Center, Utah | TNT 8:30et | [9] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| Dallas wins series 3–2 | ||||||||||
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(LAL-POR) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 22 | Portland | 93 | Los Angeles | 106 | 1-0 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | NBC 5:30et | [10] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 2 | April 26 | Portland | 88 | Los Angeles | 106 | 2-0 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | TNT 10:30et | [11] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| 3 | April 29 | Los Angeles | 99 | Portland | 86 | 3-0 | Rose Garden Arena, Portland | NBC 5:30et | [12] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| Los Angeles wins series 3–0 |
||||||||||
(3) Sacramento Kings vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(SAC-PHX) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 22 | Phoenix | 86 | Sacramento | 83 | 0–1 | ARCO Arena, Sacramento | NBC 3:00et | [13] | Bob Costas & Matt Guokas |
| 2 | April 25 | Phoenix | 90 | Sacramento | 116 | 1–1 | ARCO Arena, Sacramento | TNT 10:30et | [14] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| 3 | April 29 | Sacramento | 104 | Phoenix | 96 | 2-1 | America West Arena, Phoenix | NBC 3:00et | [15] | Bob Costas & Matt Guokas |
| 4 | May 2 | Sacramento | 89 | Phoenix | 82 | 3-1 | America West Arena, Phoenix | TNT 10:30et | [16] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| Sacramento wins series 3–1 |
||||||||||
Conference Semifinals
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(SA-DAL) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5 | Dallas | 78 | San Antonio | 94 | 1-0 | Alamodome, San Antonio | NBC 6:30et | [17] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 2 | May 7 | Dallas | 86 | San Antonio | 100 | 2-0 | Alamodome, San Antonio | TNT 8:30et | [18] | Bob Neal & Hubie Brown |
| 3 | May 9 | San Antonio | 104 | Dallas | 90 | 3-0 | Reunion Arena, Dallas | TNT 9:30et | [19] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| 4 | May 12 | San Antonio | 108 | Dallas | 112 | 3-1 | Reunion Arena, Dallas | NBC 3:30et | [20] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 5 | May 14 | Dallas | 87 | San Antonio | 105 | 4-1 | Alamodome, San Antonio | TNT 8:30et | [21] | Bob Neal & Hubie Brown |
| San Antonio wins series 4–1 |
||||||||||
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Sacramento Kings
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(LAL-SAC) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 6 | Sacramento | 105 | Los Angeles | 108 | 1-0 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | NBC 3:00et | [22] | Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones |
| 2 | May 8 | Sacramento | 90 | Los Angeles | 96 | 2-0 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | TBS 10:30et | [23] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| 3 | May 11 | Los Angeles | 103 | Sacramento | 81 | 3-0 | ARCO Arena, Sacramento | TNT 10:30et | [24] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| 4 | May 13 | Los Angeles | 119 | Sacramento | 113 | 4-0 | ARCO Arena, Sacramento | NBC 5:30et | [25] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| Los Angeles wins series 4–0 |
||||||||||
Conference Finals
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(SA-LAL) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 19 | Los Angeles | 104 | San Antonio | 90 | 0–1 | Alamodome, San Antonio | NBC 6:30et | [26] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 2 | May 21 | Los Angeles | 88 | San Antonio | 81 | 0–2 | Alamodome, San Antonio | TNT 8:30et | [27] | Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge |
| 3 | May 25 | San Antonio | 72 | Los Angeles | 111 | 0–3 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | NBC 9:00et | [28] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 4 | May 27 | San Antonio | 82 | Los Angeles | 111 | 0–4 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | NBC 5:30et | [29] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| Los Angeles wins Western Conference Championship series 4–0 |
||||||||||
Eastern Conference
Champion: Philadelphia 76ers
First Round
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(PHI-IND) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Indiana | 79 | Philadelphia | 78 | 0–1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 12:30et | [30] | Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones |
| 2 | April 24 | Indiana | 98 | Philadelphia | 116 | 1–1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | TBS 8:00et | [31] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| 3 | April 28 | Philadelphia | 92 | Indiana | 87 | 2-1 | Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | NBC 12:30et | [32] | Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones |
| 4 | May 2 | Philadelphia | 88 | Indiana | 85 | 3-1 | Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | TBS 7:00et | [33] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| Philadelphia wins series 3–1 |
||||||||||
(4) New York Knicks vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(NYK-TOR) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 22 | Toronto | 85 | New York | 92 | 1-0 | Madison Square Garden, New York | NBC 12:30et | [34] | Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones |
| 2 | April 26 | Toronto | 94 | New York | 74 | 1–1 | Madison Square Garden, New York | TNT 8:00et | [35] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 3 | April 29 | New York | 97 | Toronto | 89 | 2-1 | Air Canada Centre, Toronto | NBC 12:30et | [36] | Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones |
| 4 | May 2 | New York | 93 | Toronto | 100 | 2–2 | Air Canada Centre, Toronto | TNT 8:00et | [37] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 5 | May 4 | Toronto | 93 | New York | 89 | 2–3 | Madison Square Garden, New York | TNT 8:00et | [38] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| Toronto wins series 3–2 |
||||||||||
(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (7) Orlando Magic
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(MIL-ORL) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 22 | Orlando | 90 | Milwaukee | 103 | 1-0 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TNT 8:30et | [39] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| 2 | April 25 | Orlando | 96 | Milwaukee | 103 | 2-0 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TNT 8:00et | [40] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| 3 | April 28 | Milwaukee | 116 | Orlando | 121 | 2-1 | TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando | TNT 8:30et | [41] | Bob Neal & Reggie Theus |
| 4 | May 1 | Milwaukee | 112 | Orlando | 104 | 3-1 | TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando | TBS 7:00et | [42] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| Milwaukee wins series 3–1 |
||||||||||
(3) Miami Heat vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(MIA-CHA) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 21 | Charlotte | 106 | Miami | 80 | 0–1 | AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami | TNT 8:30et | [43] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 2 | April 23 | Charlotte | 102 | Miami | 78 | 0–2 | AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami | TNT 7:00et | [44] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 3 | April 27 | Miami | 79 | Charlotte | 94 | 0–3 | Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte | TNT 8:30et | [45] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| Charlotte wins series 3–0 |
||||||||||
Conference Semifinals
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(PHI-TOR) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 6 | Toronto | 96 | Philadelphia | 93 | 0–1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 5:30et | [46] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 2 | May 9 | Toronto | 92 | Philadelphia | 97 | 1–1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | TNT 7:00et | [47] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 3 | May 11 | Philadelphia | 78 | Toronto | 102 | 1–2 | Air Canada Centre, Toronto | TNT 8:00et | [48] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 4 | May 13 | Philadelphia | 84 | Toronto | 79 | 2–2 | Air Canada Centre, Toronto | NBC 3:00et | [49] | Mike Breen & Bill Walton |
| 5 | May 16 | Toronto | 88 | Philadelphia | 121 | 3–2 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | TNT 8:00et | [50] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 6 | May 18 | Philadelphia | 89 | Toronto | 101 | 3–3 | Air Canada Centre, Toronto | TNT 8:00et | [51] | Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown |
| 7 | May 20 | Toronto | 87 | Philadelphia | 88 | 4–3 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 5:30et | [52] | Mike Breen, Doug Collins & Bill Walton |
| Philadelphia wins series 4–3 |
||||||||||
(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(MIL-CHA) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 6 | Charlotte | 92 | Milwaukee | 104 | 1-0 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | NBC 12:30et | [53] | Bob Costas & Matt Guokas |
| 2 | May 8 | Charlotte | 90 | Milwaukee | 91 | 2-0 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TBS 8:00et | [54] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| 3 | May 10 | Milwaukee | 92 | Charlotte | 102 | 2-1 | Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte | TNT 8:00et | [55] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| 4 | May 13 | Milwaukee | 78 | Charlotte | 85 | 2–2 | Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte | NBC 12:30et | [56] | Bob Costas, Matt Guokas & Steve Jones |
| 5 | May 15 | Charlotte | 94 | Milwaukee | 86 | 2–3 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TBS 8:00et | [57] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| 6 | May 17 | Milwaukee | 104 | Charlotte | 97 | 3–3 | Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte | TNT 8:00et | [58] | Marv Albert & Mike Fratello |
| 7 | May 20 | Charlotte | 95 | Milwaukee | 104 | 4-3 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | NBC 3:00et | [59] | Bob Costas, Matt Guokas & Steve Jones |
| Milwaukee wins series 4–3 |
||||||||||
Conference Finals
(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks
In 2001, the Milwaukee Bucks played the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The small-market Bucks (who had not even been featured on NBC that year prior to the second round of the playoffs) did not have any "big-time" stars, with the exception of Ray Allen (who, despite being popular, was not in the upper-echelon of NBA players in terms of endorsements). Their opponent that year, the Philadelphia 76ers had the polarizing and popular Allen Iverson, who had a multitude of shoe deals and mainstream recognition. The Sixers also featured that year's winners of the MVP award in Iverson[45], Defensive Player of the Year award in Dikembe Mutumbo[46], Sixth Man of the Year award in Aaron McKie[47], and Coach of the Year award in Larry Brown[48].
The series had several calls deemed dubious by the Bucks and their fans. Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and George Karl joined Allen in complaining about the officiating and hinting that the league was against them. Karl and Allen were both fined for their comments[44]. In Game 6 of the tensely-fought series, Bucks forward Scott Williams threw an elbow at Iverson and was subsequently suspended for the deciding Game 7. After Milwaukee lost Game 7 on the road, Sports Illustrated columnist Marty Burns insinuated that the suspension may have been a form of payback by the league:
“Williams elbow to Iverson's chin warranted the flagrant 2 ruling, which kept Williams out of Game 7, but the Bucks public airing of such potentially damaging charges to the NBA probably didn't help their case.[49]”
2001 NBA Finals
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
| Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(LAL-PHI) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap | TV Commentators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 6 | Philadelphia | 107 | Los Angeles | 101 | 0–1 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | NBC 9:00et | [67] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 2 | June 8 | Philadelphia | 89 | Los Angeles | 98 | 1–1 | Staples Center, Los Angeles | NBC 9:00et | [68] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 3 | June 10 | Los Angeles | 96 | Philadelphia | 91 | 2-1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 8:30et | [69] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 4 | June 13 | Los Angeles | 100 | Philadelphia | 86 | 3-1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 8:30et | [70] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| 5 | June 15 | Los Angeles | 108 | Philadelphia | 96 | 4-1 | First Union Center, Philadelphia | NBC 8:30et | [71] | Marv Albert & Doug Collins |
| Los Angeles wins NBA Championship series 4–1 |
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External links
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