The NBA Playoffs take the top 16 teams with the best records from the
Eastern and Western conferences. Here at Play By Play we offer inside betting
analysis, match-up previews and free picks on each series as teams advance to
the next round.
The NBA Finals is the best-of-seven
postseason championship series for the National Basketball Association. The
championship series matches the winners of the Eastern Conference and Western
Conference championship series.
The NBA Finals can consist of between
four and seven games. The series continues until one team collects four wins.
The NBA Finals makes use of a 2-3-2 formula to determine the home team for each
of the games, and the NBA has used that formula since 1985. The team in the NBA
Finals that had the better regular-season record receives the potential of four
home games by hosting games 1 and 2 and games 6 and 7, if they are necessary.
The 2-3-2 formula is a different formula than the NBA uses in the earlier rounds
of the NBA Playoffs, where a 2-2-1-1-1 formula is used. Each team must win three
best-of-seven playoff series to advance to the NBA Finals.
Prior to
1987, the NBA Finals series was known as the NBA World Championship Series. The
NBA has played a best-of-seven postseason championship series in every year
since 1947.
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2009 NBA Finals
- Get a free pick and series preview on who will win between the Lakers vs
Magic.
2009 Eastern Conference Playoffs Matchups: sixers vs magic -
Orlando swept the regular-season series between the Magic and 76ers, 3 games to
0, including two wins in Philadelphia. However, the Magic and 76ers have only
played once since Nov. 26. Nov. 6: at Orlando (-5) 98, Philadelphia 88 Nov. 26:
Orlando 96, at Philadelphia (-5) 94 Feb. 28: Orlando (-1.5) 106, at Philadelphia
100
cavs vs
pistons - Cleveland won the Cavaliers-Pistons season series, 3-1. The
Cavaliers and Pistons split two games in Detroit, while Cleveland won both home
games against the Pistons
celtics vs bulls
- Boston won the season series 2 games to 1 over Chicago, as the home team won
all three games. The Celtics were favored in all three games
hawks vs heat -
Atlanta won the Hawks-Heat season series, 3-1. Atlanta won both of its home
games in the season series, and the Hawks picked up a win in Miami
2009 Western Conference Playoff Matchups: blazers vs rockets -
The home team won all three meetings between Portland and Houston this season,
with the Rockets taking two of the three games
lakers vs jazz -
Both Los Angeles and Utah were outstanding home teams this season, combining for
a 69-13 home record. During the three regular-season Lakers-Jazz games, the home
team won all three, giving Los Angeles a 2-1 series advantage
nuggets vs
hornets - The Nuggets and Hornets split their four regular-season meetings,
with each team winning on the other's home floor one time
spurs vs mavericks
- The Spurs and Mavericks split their four regular-season games. Each team won
one time on the other team's home floor. The Spurs were favored in three of the
four games, although Dallas was favored in the most recent meeting on March
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