1988 NBA Playoffs

1988 NBA playoffs
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A ticket for Game 1 of the 1988 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks.

The 1988 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1987–88 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. James Worthy was named NBA Finals MVP. The Lakers became the first team since the Boston Celtics in 1969 to repeat as champions, a feat that coach Pat Riley guaranteed the previous offseason.

This marked the first time since 1983 that the Celtics did not represent the East in the NBA Finals, but they did win one of the most memorable games of the 1988 playoffs, beating the Hawks 118–116 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Boston Garden. Larry Bird scored 20 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to help Boston overcome the 47 points scored by Dominique Wilkins.[1]

The Dallas Mavericks made their first trip to the Western Conference Finals, losing in 7 to the Lakers. They would not advance that far again until 2003, and would not face the Lakers again until 2011.

The New York Knicks made the playoffs for the first time since 1984. They remained regulars until 2001, which included NBA Finals appearances in 1994 and 1999. On the other hand, the Washington Bullets did not return until 1997, and would not win a playoff game again until 2005 as the Wizards.

In the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Michael Jordan scored 50 or more points twice—50 points in Game 1, and 55 points in Game 2—becoming the first player to do so in the same series.[2] Allen Iverson would later equal that feat in the 2001 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors.[3]

This was the first time in NBA history that a game other than a Finals game was played during the month of June.

Game 4 of the Hawks-Bucks series was the last game ever played at the MECCA, later known as the US Cellular Arena. The Bucks moved to the Bradley Center the next season; BMO Harris Bank purchased its naming rights in 2012.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals was the last NBA game ever played at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Bracket

First Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
            
1 LA Lakers 3
8 San Antonio 0
1 LA Lakers 4
5 Utah 3
4 Portland 1
5 Utah 3
1 LA Lakers 4
Western Conference
3 Dallas 3
3 Dallas 3
6 Houston 1
3 Dallas 4
2 Denver 2
2 Denver 3
7 Seattle 2
W1 LA Lakers 4
E2 Detroit 3
1 Boston 3
8 New York 1
1 Boston 4
4 Atlanta 3
4 Atlanta 3
5 Milwaukee 2
1 Boston 2
Eastern Conference
2 Detroit 4
3 Chicago 3
6 Cleveland 2
3 Chicago 1
2 Detroit 4
2 Detroit 3
7 Washington 2

Western Conference

Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

1st Round

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs: Lakers win series 3-0

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first three meetings.

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonics: Nuggets win series 3-2

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning the first meeting.

(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Mavericks win series 3-1

This was the first playoff meeting between the Mavericks and the Rockets.[6]

(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Utah Jazz:Jazz win series 3-1

This was the first playoff meeting between the Trail Blazers and the Jazz.[7]

Conference Semifinals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Utah Jazz: Lakers win series 4-3

This was the first playoff meeting between the Lakers and the Jazz.[8]

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks: Mavericks win series 4-2

This was the first playoff meeting between the Mavericks and the Nuggets.[9]

Conference Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks: Lakers win series 4-3

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings.

Eastern Conference

Champion: Detroit Pistons

1st Round

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) New York Knicks: Celtics win series 3-1

This was the 12th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning six of the first 11 meetings.

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Washington Bullets: Pistons win series 3-2

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers: Bulls win series 3-2

This was the first playoff meeting between the Bulls and the Cavaliers.[13]

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks: Hawks win series 3-2

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bucks winning the first meeting.

Conference Semifinals (1) Boston Celtics vs. (4) Atlanta Hawks: Celtics win series 4-3

This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning seven of the first eight meetings.

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (3) Chicago Bulls: Pistons win series 4-1

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first meeting.

Conference Finals (1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Detroit Pistons: Pistons win series 4-2

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first three meetings.

NBA Finals

A ticket for Game 1 of the 1988 NBA Finals at The Forum.
Main article: 1988 NBA Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Detroit Pistons: Lakers win series 4-3

This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning eight of the first nine meetings.

References

  1. ↑ "Hawks Cannot Contain Celtics' High-Flying Bird". New York Times. May 23, 1988.
  2. ↑ "Jordan Hovers Above The Rest". New York Times. May 8, 1988.
  3. ↑ "As Carter Goes, So Do the Raptors". New York Times. May 18, 2001.
  4. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Houston Rockets (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Portland Trail Blazers versus Utah Jazz (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Utah Jazz (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Denver Nuggets (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Cleveland Cavaliers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Boston Celtics (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.

External links

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