For the first time since 2009, the NBA playoffs feature as many as three 60-win teams — the Thunder (68-14), Cavaliers (64-18) and Celtics (61-21).
Conventionally, the three juggernauts would have a relatively easy path to the NBA Finals, or at least the conference finals. Instead, they’ve been dealt with harsh reality after harsh reality thus far.
The Cavaliers are one loss away from crashing out. The Celtics blew back-to-back 20-point leads against the Knicks — the first team to do so in playoff history. The Thunder tied their series versus the Nuggets on Sunday but shot a paltry 35.6 percent and were lucky to escape the Mile High City with a win.
There is a realistic possibility of all three teams not making the conference finals. Such an outcome would be unprecedented. In the NBA’s 79-year history, we’ve never seen all three 60-win teams crash out before at least a divisional/conference finals appearance.
Take recent history, for example. Last year, the Celtics (64-18) — the only 60-win team of the season — won it all. In 2019, the 60-win Bucks fell to the Raptors in the conference finals. A year before, the 65-win Rockets were a Chris Paul hamstring injury away from reaching the NBA Finals. In 2017, the only two 60-win teams — the Warriors and Spurs — clashed in the Western Conference Finals.
Regular season meaningless?
If the Celtics, Cavaliers and Thunder lose in the second round, the integrity of the NBA’s regular season will suffer a severe blow. It would reinforce the notion that the playoffs are a different animal, and regular-season wins are meaningless and only help secure seeding and home advantage. The following stats further crystallize why the regular season doesn’t matter.
The Celtics are averaging 103.3 points in three games against the Knicks, 13.3 fewer than in the regular season. The Thunder are shooting 42 percent against the Nuggets, seven percentage points fewer than they did en route to 68 wins. The Cavs are shooting 29 percent from three against the Pacers after hitting 39 percent of their deep shots in the regular season.
The NBA had better hope that these so-called juggernauts right the ship. If not, it will find it increasingly challenging to sell fans on the idea of next year’s regular season. Why would viewers not wait until the playoffs and ignore the meaningless 82-game slate?
