The Boston Celtics and the five biggest NBA first round upsets of all time

The Boston Celtics and the 5 biggest NBA first round upsets of all time

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) keeps the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. (8) Memphis Grizzlies over (1) San Antonio Spurs

Won series 4-2

“Finish Them,” was the chant being yelled by fans in Memphis as the Grizzlies were looking to send the San Antonio Spurs’ packing for the offseason. The Grizzlies were a combined 0-12 in their three previous playoff appearances, but this team was looking to change that.

Memphis had won 46 games in the regular season to finish as the No. 8 seed, behind big-men Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. The Spurs were a well-oiled machine, winning 61 games, riding their Big Three of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili all the way to the No. 1 seed.

All the games were going to be defensive battles, given the makeup of both teams. After earning a split in the first two games in San Antonio, the Grizzlies were able to win two games at the Grindhouse.

They went up 3-1 in the series and never looked back, finishing off the Spurs in six games.

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