Has an NBA Team Ever Come Back from 3-0?
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It’s a question that NBA fans have been asking for years: has an NBA team ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series? The answer, surprisingly, is yes!
Introduction
In the history of the NBA, only one team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. That team was the Los Angeles Lakers, who did it against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2000 NBA Playoffs.
The Lakers were down 3-0 in the series, but won Game 4 by a score of 103-91. They then won Game 5 by a score of 106-77. In Game 6, the Lakers came back from a 15-point deficit to win 93-89. The decisive Game 7 was also close, but the Lakers pulled out a 88-84 victory to complete the comeback.
The 2000 Lakers were not the only team to come close to winning after being down 3-0. The Boston Celtics nearly did it in the 1968 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics won Games 4 and 5, but lost Game 6 by just two points. In Game 7, which was played on Mother’s Day, the Celtics led by three points with seconds remaining. But Jerry West hit a jump shot at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 105-104 victory and their seventh NBA Championship.
The Boston Celtics in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals
The Boston Celtics had to win four straight games against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals. The Sixers won the first three games of the series, but the Celtics bounced back to win the next four and take the series.
The Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000 Western Conference Finals
In the 2000 Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers became the first and to date only team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. They did so against the Portland Trail Blazers, whom they eventually defeated in seven games.
The Miami Heat in the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals
In the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. The Heat went on to lose the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals
In the 2016 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the championship. The Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. This is a very difficult feat, and it has only been done twice in MLB history and once in the NHL. While it is certainly possible that an NBA team could come back from a 3-0 deficit, it is highly unlikely.
