Who’s Left in the NBA Playoffs?
We’re down to the final four teams in the NBA playoffs. Who’s left standing and who’s going home?
The Warriors
The Warriors are the only team left in the NBA playoffs. They have been to the Finals five times in the last six years, winning three championships. The Warriors are a dynasty and they are the favorites to win the Finals again this year.
Their Record
As of June 17, 2017, the Golden State Warriors have a regular season record of 67-15. This is the best record in the NBA.
Their Playoff History
The Warriors have been to the NBA Finals five times in franchise history, winning three championships. They made their first Finals appearance in 1947, losing to the Philadelphia Warriors. The team’s next appearance came in 1956, when they again lost to the Warriors. In 1975, the Warriors won their first NBA championship, defeating the Washington Bullets in four games. The team made back-to-back Finals appearances in 2015 and 2016, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers both times.
Their most recent appearance was in 2018, when they defeated the Cavaliers in four games to win their third NBA championship.
Their Notable Players
In the NBA, there are the warriors. A team full of shining stars, each with different but special skills that help contribute to their games. Out of all these players, there are some who really stand out. Especially in the playoffs. Who are these people?
First on the list is Stephen Curry. He is a point guard for the Warriors and has been playing since 2009. He is known for his 3-point shooting abilities and his play-making skills. Curry has helped lead the Warriors to 5 NBA Finals appearances and has won 3 championships with them. He is currently averaging 26 points per game in the playoffs.
Next is Klay Thompson. He is a shooting guard for the Warriors and has been playing with them since 2011. Thompson is known for his 3-point shooting as well. He is a key player on the Warriors and has helped them make it to 5 NBA Finals appearances and win 3 championships. Thompson is currently averaging 23 points per game in the playoffs.
Lastly, we have Draymond Green. He is a power forward/center for the Warriors and has been playing since 2012. Green is known for his defensive abilities and being a very versatile player overall. He has been a key player on the Warriors throughout his career and has helped them make it to 5 NBA Finals appearances and win 3 championships. Green is currently averaging 10 points per game in the playoffs
The Cavaliers
It’s been an eventful NBA Playoffs so far, and we’re only in the second round. There have been lots of upsets, close games, and great performances. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team left from the Eastern Conference, and they are looking strong. They have the best player in the world in LeBron James, and they are definitely the team to beat. Let’s take a closer look at the Cavaliers and see what they have to offer.
Their Record
The Cavs are currently 54-28, which is the 4th best record in the NBA. They are 2nd in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Boston Celtics. The Cavs have been to the NBA Finals 3 times in the last 4 years, and they won the championship in 2016.
Their Playoff History
The Cavaliers have been to the NBA Finals three times, in 2007, 2015, and 2016, winning the championship in 2016.
The Cavaliers began play in the 1970–71 NBA season as an expansion team. The team’s first draft pick was Austin Carr, who became the team’s first All-Star and a fan favorite. The Cavaliers finished their inaugural season with 15 wins and 67 losses. Carr was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. Despite losing 68 games in 1974–75, the Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1957–58. Dick Snyder led a successful turnaround of the franchise, earning NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1976–77 after leading Cleveland to a 29-win improvement.
Carr retired as a player after 10 seasons with Cleveland. The Cavs selected Brad Daugherty with their number one overall pick in 1986. The Cavs made their first trip to the playoffs in his rookie season behind an offense that featured fellow All-Star Mark Price and newly acquired center down look at all of your options before you decide on something specific.
Their Notable Players
The Cavaliers are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team began play as an expansion team in 1970, along with the Portland Trail Blazers and Buffalo Braves. Home games were first held at Cleveland Arena from 1970 to 1974, followed by the Richfield Coliseum from 1974 to 1994. Since 1994, the Cavs have played their home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland, which is shared with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Dan Gilbert has owned the Cavaliers since March 2005.
The Cavaliers’ blueprint for rebuilding their team was extensive and resulted in them landing the number one overall pick in five separate drafts: Andrew Bogut (2005), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013), Andrew Wiggins (2014), and Zion Williamson (2019). In 2010–11, they also acquired All-Star point guard Baron Davis and future All-Star center Anderson Varejão in a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors. The cavaliers also acquired shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, as well as center Larry Nance Jr., power forward/center Tristan Thompson, small forward Cedi Osman, power forward/center Kevin Love and point guard Collin Sexton during David Griffin’s tenure as general manager.
The Rockets
The Rockets are the only team left in the NBA Playoffs. They are a fantastic team and they have an amazing record.
Their Record
The Rockets have a stellar record this year. They’ve only lost 10 games total, and 7 of those were to teams that didn’t make the playoffs. Their 3 losses in the last month of the season were all to playoff teams, and they’re coming into the postseason on a high note after easily defeating the Warriors in their final regular season matchup.
Their Playoff History
The Rockets are currently in the NBA playoffs for the 2019-2020 season. They have been to the playoffs many times in their franchise history.
They first made it to the playoffs in 1968, led by star player Elvin Hayes. Since then, they’ve experienced ups and downs, but have generally been a strong playoff team. However, they have never won an NBA Championship.
They have come close several times, most recently in 2018 when they lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
Their Notable Players
The Rockets have many notable players including James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, and P.J. Tucker. They are currently in the playoffs and have a chance to make it to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics
The Celtics are currently leading the NBA playoffs. They are a strong team with a lot of basketball experience. Their recent success is due in large part to their ability to work together as a team and their strong defense.
Their Record
The Celtics have the second-best record in the NBA this season. They are currently 60-22, which is only behind the Houston Rockets, who are 63-20. The Celtics have been red-hot as of late, winning 14 of their last 15 games. In that stretch, they have wins over the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Their Playoff History
The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of the league’s original eight teams, the team play their home games at TD Garden, which they share with the National Hockey League (NHL)’s Boston Bruins. The Celtics are one of the most successful teams in NBA history; they have won an NBA-record 17 championships, which accounts for 24% of all NBA championships since the league’s founding.
Their Notable Players
This season, the Boston Celtics have had some hits and misses with their players. Kyrie Irving has been one of their best players, but he is currently sidelined with an injury. Gordon Hayward has not been living up to his $30 million contract, and Al Horford has been inconsistent at best. However, the Celtics still have a few notable players who have been carrying the team throughout the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum has been one of the most impressive rookies in the playoffs. He is averaging 18 points and 4 rebounds per game. Jaylen Brown has also been playing well, averaging 17 points and 5 rebounds per game. Terry Rozier has stepped up in Irving’s absence, averaging 16 points and 6 assists per game. The Celtics will need all of these players to continue playing at a high level if they want to make it to the NBA Finals.
The Spurs
The Spurs are the last team standing in the NBA Playoffs. They have been a model of consistency over the years, and they are looking to add another championship to their already impressive resume. They have a tough road ahead of them, but they have the experience and talent to get the job done.
Their Record
The Spurs have been absolutely dominant in the playoffs so far. They have a 12-2 record, which is the best in the NBA. They have won their last 10 games in a row, and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Their biggest challenge will come in the Western Conference Finals, where they will face either the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets. Both of those teams are extremely talented and capable of beating the Spurs.
However, if the Spurs can continue to play at the high level they have been playing at, then they will be very tough to beat.
Their Playoff History
The Spurs have a long and storied history in the NBA Playoffs, having appeared in 21 postseason campaigns since joining the league in 1976. They have won five championships in that span, most recently in 2014. The Spurs have been a model of consistency, winning at least 50 games in 17 consecutive seasons. They are currently the only team in the NBA with an active streak of 20 consecutive seasons with a winning record.
Their Notable Players
The Spurs have won five championships since 1999, and they’re looking to add another one this year. They have a strong core of players that have been together for many years, and they know how to win. Here are some of the key players on the team:
-Tony Parker: Parker is the point guard and has been with the Spurs since 2001. He’s a six-time All-Star and was named MVP of the finals in 2007.
-Tim Duncan: Duncan is the power forward and has been with the Spurs since 1997. He’s a five-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and 15-time All-Star.
-Kawhi Leonard: Leonard is the small forward and has been with the Spurs since 2011. He’s a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and was named Finals MVP in 2014.
