2001 NBA Playoffs

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 4 games to 1. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.

This was the 76ers' first appearance in the Finals 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 Lakers' 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 Finals. 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 four 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 Sixers, 1972 Lakers, 1983 Sixers, 1986 Celtics, 1987 Lakers, 1989 Pistons and the 1996 Bulls.

The 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 2011, however, they have been unable to duplicate this feat.

The Mavericks also ended years of futility in the 2001 playoffs, making the postseason for the first time since 1990. Along the way they did have several abysmal seasons, including back-to-back years with only 11 and 13 wins. By beating the Jazz in the first round, the Mavericks won their first playoff series since 1988. Reunion Arena, the Mavs' home court for 21 years, hosted its last game (Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Spurs); the Mavs moved to American Airlines Center in 2001.

The 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 Raptors won their first playoff series in franchise history with a 3–2 series win over the Knicks, but fell in 7 games to the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. For the first time since 1991, the Knicks failed to win a first-round playoff series.

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. San Antonio's 58 games remains the lowest record for a team with home court advantage throughout the playoffs, being 3 games fewer than Indiana's 61 games in the 2003-04 season and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009-10 season.

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:

1. San Antonio Spurs (clinched Midwest division)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (clinched Pacific division)
3. Sacramento Kings
4. Utah Jazz
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. 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:

1. Philadelphia 76ers (clinched Atlantic division)
2. Milwaukee Bucks (clinched Central division)
3. Miami Heat
4. New York Knicks
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Charlotte Hornets
7. Orlando Magic
8. Indiana Pacers

Western Conference

Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

First Round

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference First Round (San Antonio won 3-1)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference First Round (Dallas won 3-1)

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]	Mike Breen & Bill Walton
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

Last Playoff Meeting: 2000 Western Conference Finals (Los Angeles won 4-3)

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]	Kevin Harlan, John Thompson & Danny Ainge
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

Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Semifinals (Kings won 4-3, then in Kansas City, Missouri)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

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 & Kenny Smith
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

Last Playoff Meeting: 2000 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-2)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference Semifinals (San Antonio won 4-0)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Indiana won 4-2)

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

• In game 1, Reggie Miller hit the game-winning 3 with 2.9 seconds left.

(4) New York Knicks vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

Last Playoff Meeting: 2000 Eastern Conference First Round (New York won 3-0)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

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	76	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

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

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

• Iverson-Carter duel
• 76ers ended the 16-year drought by advancing to the conference finals when Vince Carter's long jumper at the buzzer bounced cleanly off the rim.

(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

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

Last Playoff Meeting: 1991 Eastern Conference First Round (Philadelphia won 3-0)

Game	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Score	Record (PHI-MIL)	Venue	TV Time	Recap	TV Commentators
1	May 22	Milwaukee	85	Philadelphia	93	1-0	First Union Center, Philadelphia	TNT 8:00et	[60]	Marv Albert & Mike Fratello
2	May 24	Milwaukee	92	Philadelphia	78	1–1	First Union Center, Philadelphia	TNT 8:00et	[61]	Dick Stockton & Hubie Brown
3	May 26	Philadelphia	74	Milwaukee	80	1–2	Bradley Center, Milwaukee	NBC 5:30et	[62]	Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones
4	May 28	Philadelphia	89	Milwaukee	83	2–2	Bradley Center, Milwaukee	NBC 5:30et	[63]	Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones
5	May 30	Milwaukee	88	Philadelphia	89	3–2	First Union Center, Philadelphia	NBC 9:00et	[64]	Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones
6	June 1	Philadelphia	100	Milwaukee	110	3–3	Bradley Center, Milwaukee	NBC 9:00et	[65]	Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones
7	June 3	Milwaukee	91	Philadelphia	108	4-3	First Union Center, Philadelphia	NBC 7:30et	[66]	Mike Breen, Bill Walton & Steve Jones
Philadelphia wins Eastern Conference Championship series 4–3

The series would go the full seven games before the Sixers won the decisive game at home.

2001 NBA Finals

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Last Playoff Meeting: 1983 NBA Finals (Philadelphia won 4-0)

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		[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

External links

• NBA.com's 2001 Playoffs coverage