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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Bill Russell (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Bill Russell (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Bill Russell’s Last Dance Drops the Curtain on Lakers

In the 1960s, no NBA franchise was as dominant as the Boston Celtics.  Eight times out of nine, they hoisted NBA championships. As the decade drew to a close, it looked like Beantown’s run was dwindling. It wouldn’t end in 1969, at least not as long as Bill Russell was there.

Despite entering the postseason with a 48-34 record, Boston upset the 76ers and Knicks to reach the finals against Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. Boston fell into a quick 2-0 hole, and proclamations that Los Angeles would win soon surfaced. Bad idea.

Two straight wins tied the series, including Game 4’s buzzer-beater. By Game 7, it was truly a winner-take-all series. However, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke got too cocky before the game and had balloons hanging from the rafters to celebrate a Lakers win. Bad idea. Russell and the Celtics took it personally and came out and finished the job, capping off a remarkable series and the career of a legend.