Hoops Habit
Fansided

The 10 greatest upsets in NBA playoff history

By Sravan Gannavarapu

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the Staples Center on January 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the Staples Center on January 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Every year, the NBA Playoffs provide twists, shockers, upsets, drama, and every other adjective you can find in a dictionary or thesaurus. A team enters the competition as heavy favorites, so much so that networks have essentially, to quote Charles Barkley, guaranteed a win.

But then comes the underdog, the feisty folks, who force the analysts and naysayers to take a backseat, sit down, and be quiet while they celebrate. It’s when the country watches an underdog celebrate and stands up to provide applause. It’s a common tradition in sports. This year, we just saw the Miami Heat knock off the Milwaukee Bucks in five games despite being an 8-seed and coming in through the Play-In Tournament.

But history keeps repeating itself, and eventually, the upsets become part of a legend. So, how do you take a league that is over 70 years old and do an analysis of the greatest upsets ever? It requires lectures, textbooks, eye tests, and appeals. So, let’s begin our countdown, starting at No. 10.