A look at the biggest first-round upsets in NBA playoffs history

If the NBA playoffs were to start today, the Miami Heat would face the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Here we look at the some of the biggest surprises in the history of the first round.

At 35-37, the Miami Heat are currently scheduled for a first-round NBA playoffs matchup against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers. While on paper a No.1 vs No. 8 seed seems overwhelming, each matchup needs to be judged on its own merit. And there has been a history of unlikely upsets.

As we are now well aware, the Heat began its mid-season renaissance on January 17. The team stared at an 11-30 record were 14th in the Eastern Conference standings. To respond and reel off a 24-8 record since them says a great deal about the organisation as a whole. Despite still leading the Eastern Conference standings, the Cavaliers have sputtered recently.

Since January 17, the Cavaliers themselves have compiled just an 18-14 record, which is more or less around the middle bracket of the league. Granted, a number of things come into the equation when judging a team’s form or lack thereof – injuries, fatigue, and highly likely in the Cavaliers’ case, motivation.

So far this season, the Heat have defeated the Cavaliers in two or their three matchups, including their most recent matchup on the road in Cleveland. Granted, the Cavaliers were without their starting all-star power forward in Kevin Love. But the knowledge of being able to win on the Cavaliers’ home floor will be very reassuring if the Heat do end up matching with them come playoff time.

With this potential matchup in mind, here’s an overview of some the greatest first-round upsets in  recent playoff history.