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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LeBron James (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
LeBron James (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Dwight’s Magic touch turns Lebron and Cavaliers into dust in 2009

It was supposed to be LeBron and Kobe. The networks were begging for it. Someone forgot to tell Dwight Howard and the Magic, and they soon cast a spell, one that resulted in a colossal upset. Orlando was off to the NBA Finals, and LeBron would soon leave the team after the 2010 season before coming home after his stint in South Beach.

In 2009, The Cavs were the best team in the NBA, having racked up 66 wins. LeBron was unbelievable, and for much of the year and in the playoffs, it seemed like the Sixth City would have the opportunity to finally break through to the biggest stage in basketball and avenge the shame of 2007. But it never happened.

In Game 6, Howard, aka Superman, dropped 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Though the series was 4-2 and Orlando, as a 3-seed, beat the No. 1 seed, it’s still a big upset considering, again, it was supposed to be LeBron and Kobe. Instead, it was Orlando and LA, and Bryant wound up with a title, his first since former Magic and Lakers star Shaq left his side.