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 /

5 of 5

Nov 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) walks off the court during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center. The Raptors defeat the Mavericks 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

1. (8) Golden State Warriors over (1) Dallas Mavericks

Won series 4-2

The biggest first-round upset of all time in NBA history is the “We Believe” Warriors taking down the heavily-favored Mavericks. The Warriors found themselves’ in the playoffs for the first time since 1994. They featured a veteran group of scrappy players, better known as a band of misfits. Led by Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson, the Warriors elevated an entire region of basketball fans.

Dallas was the best team in the NBA, winning 67 games, led by their MVP Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks was the heavy favorites to win and move onto the next round, but the scrappy, 3-point shooting Warriors managed to split the first two games in Dallas.

Coming home to Oakland, the Warriors sixth-man was about to come into play: Roaracle Arena. The electric fans elevated the Warriors to three wins in Oakland and a miraculous first-round upset.

Next: Nylon Calculus: Presenting the 2016-17 NBA Anti-Awards

With no true superstar, the Warriors were able to slay 67-win Mavericks in six games. It’ll live on as the greatest first-round upset in NBA history, given the reputation of both teams and how the series eventually turned out.

Home/Boston Celtics