How many times in the last 10 seasons has a conference final gone to 5 or fewer games? Year and winning teams please.

Lakers-Spurs 08 (5)
Spurs-Jazz 07 (5)
Spurs-Suns 05 (5)
Nets-Pistons 03 (4)
Lakers-Spurs 01 (4)

3 out of 5 won the title. But that Nets team was in the worst conference ever. They would have been 1st round fodder in the West.

So 5 out of 20 conference finals. And 3 outta 5 isnt a ringing endorsement for Finals Champions but if you factor out the Nets that might be a different story. Im not seeing the Mavs as a favored team against either team in the East, hell they dont even have homecourt if Im seeing this right.

Just split the first 2 road games, I believe the Finals is 2-3-2.

Just curious, what teams have won the championship that didn't have HCA in the 2-3-2 format?

Miami '06

Like rasher painfully said, Miami was the last to do it without HC. 20 out of 26 teams with HC in the 2-3-2 format have won it.

Heat 06
Pistons-Lakers 04
Bulls-Jazz 98
Rockets-Magic 95*
Bulls-Suns 93
Lakers-Celtics 85

In all these series except the 04 Pistons the winner was the more experienced team

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Just split the first 2 road games, I believe the Finals is 2-3-2.

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Dallas will win 3 in a row against miami?

This year could pit two teams that won in five or less. This should be a very good series between the two clear best teams in the NBA.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

Mavs are 7-1 Home, 5-2 Away. Played 15 games (12-3).

Heat are 8-0 Home, 3-3 Away. Played 14 games (11-3).

Home performance looks like a wash. One blemish in the WCF keeps the Mavs from being perfect at home, that was do to a lack of respect of the Thunder and they clamped down and won the next three. Miami has been able to split away games and take control of the series, what they havent demonstrated is an ability to win both on the road.

If Dallas takes either Game 1 or Game 2, or both as they have been known to do, they are in a good position. With their poise I expect them to come out and punch Miami in the mouth. Miami is celebrate-happy (see game 5 vs Bos), Mavs are hungry and they refuse to fold.

From the "DUH" category, I think it is astounding that since 1999, only 3 teams have represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals: Los Angeles (7), San Antonio (4), and Dallas (2).

So out of the last 12 years, Los Angeles has played in more Finals than they haven't. That's ridiculous.

Bill;
Are you saying that Miami is not hungry? they sure look like it to me thus far. Should be a great series (if the Heat take care of the Bulls by the weekend).

Dirk is playing great, but so is LeBron. My question is, who is Dirk going to guard? And can JK stay with DWade? I believe the Heat have better overall defenders, which will tip the scale in their favor.

Chandler will be on Bosh. Dirk will be on whichever other big is in the game.

When Miami goes small, I have no idea how Carlisle will counter. I don't know who is going to guard Dirk when Miami goes small either.

simple, I didn't say Dallas wins 3 in a row, just that they need to split the first 2 to have a shot. I think - if that happens - they win 2 out of 3 at home, and have 2 to win 1.

Dare I say that I'm interested to see who guards JJ Barea? Have we come that far that guarding JJ is now an issue for teams in these playoffs?

I was just thinking about JJ against Miami. I'd have to think they'd cover him with Chalmers, or Wade if Bibby is in.

I don't think anybody is particularly scared of Miami's 4 and 5 defenders. They do their work on the perimeter to mitigate those penetrating guards.

I honestly have no idea how these Finals are going to shake out, but I'm excited.

Miami has the 3 superstars that could win this thing on their own, the Mavs have the depth to win this thing with our bench.

Bill-

Miami was celebrate-happy as you call it against Boston. That won't be the case against the Bulls. I expect them to be focused out of the gates, especially being at home.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

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Miami has the 3 superstars that could win this thing on their own, the Mavs have the depth to win this thing with our bench.

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Who is number 2 and number 3?