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

By Simon Smith

May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; A view of t-shirts are displayed for fans on the back of the chairs before game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; A view of t-shirts are displayed for fans on the back of the chairs before game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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1991 Golden State Warriors (7) vs San Antonio Spurs (2)

Golden State won series 3-1

San Antonio came into the series ranked fifth in the league in opponents points, allowing 102.6 points per game. On the other hand, the Warriors finished the regular season ranked second in the league in scoring with 116.6 points per game. They also allowed the second most points in the league, allowing 115.0 per game.

So it was a matchup of contrasts, with the defensive-minded Spurs led by head coach Larry Brown up against the Warriors and their high-octane offence, with Don Nelson at the helm.

After bursting out of the blocks to win the first game of the series, 130-121, the Spurs were unable to keep up with the Warriors. Led by the trio of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin, aka ‘Run TMC’, the Warriors blew the Spurs off the court. This trio all averaged at least 22.3 points per game, and were complimented by sixth man Sarunas Marciulionis, who averaged 17.3 points on a 58.5 percent clip.

The Spurs and Warriors split their regular season series at 2-2, with the Spurs finishing the season with 55 wins and the Warriors with 44 wins. And after defeating the Spurs on their home court in game two of their first-round series, the Warriors were able to finish off their business at home, culminating in a 110-97 win in game four to take out the series. Hardaway led the way in game four with 32 points and nine assists.

Most notably, despite scoring 112.8 points per game as a team, the Warriors averaged just 5.0 made three-pointers per game. How times have changed.

Despite their amazing feat, the Warriors lost their semi-finals matchup with eventual NBA Finalist, the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1.

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