Ranking The 10 Easiest Finals Paths In NBA History

The Boston Celtics take Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers who finished sixth in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. The Celtics were hardly tested in the playoffs so far before Game 1 against Indiana where the game went into overtime, but they still came out on top thanks to 36 points from Jayson Tatum.

Looking throughout history, Boston’s relatively easy playoff run raises the issue of where their path would rank among the easiest we have seen. We have collected the 10 easiest Finals paths in NBA history based on the quality of opposition, and it is safe to say the Celtics’ run so far might raise a few eyebrows. 

*We will not include any of the teams that competed before the 1983-84 season because the playoffs only had two rounds before the Finals and it wouldn’t translate into this ranking.

1. 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers (65-17)

First Round: Denver Nuggets (37-45)

Second Round: Golden State Warriors (42-40)

Western Conference Finals: Seattle SuperSonics (39-43)

The 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers faced a relatively straightforward path to the NBA Finals, beginning with the Denver Nuggets, who had a sub-.500 record. This initial series was not much of a challenge for the Lakers, given their superior talent and depth and it ended in a 3-0 sweep. The second round saw them facing the Golden State Warriors, a team that barely broke even during the regular season. Despite the Warriors’ efforts including Sleepy Floyd’s 22.6 PPG average, they couldn’t match the Lakers’ high-powered offense and championship experience.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers went up against the Seattle SuperSonics, another team with a losing record. The SuperSonics struggled to compete with the Lakers’ fast-paced style and star-studded lineup including Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers won in a sweep. The 23-year-old Xavier McDaniel averaged 24.8 points per game but he did not have the experience to take out the iconic Magic Johnson.

2. 1983-84 Los Angeles Lakers (54-28)

First Round: Kansas City Kings (38-44)

Second Round: Dallas Mavericks (43-39)

Western Conference Finals: Phoenix Suns (41-41)

The 1983-84 Los Angeles Lakers encountered minimal resistance in their journey to the Finals, starting with the Sacramento Kings, who had a losing record. The Kings’ lack of depth and star power (Eddie Johnson averaging 17.0 PPG) made them easy prey for the Lakers, who dispatched them without much difficulty. Moving on, the Dallas Mavericks provided a slightly tougher challenge but still finished the regular season just a few games above .500 thanks to Rolando Blackman who is the only player who averaged at least 20 PPG in the series.

In the Conference Finals, the Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns, a team with an average record. The Suns lacked the playoff experience and firepower necessary to contend with the Lakers’ dynamic duo of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar despite the presence of Walter Davis and Larry Nance. The relatively low win totals of their opponents underscore how the Lakers had one of the smoother paths to the Finals during the 1980s.

3. 2022-23 Denver Nuggets (53-29)

First Round: Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40)

Second Round: Phoenix Suns (45-37)

Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers (43-39)

The 2022-23 Denver Nuggets had a relatively easy run to the NBA Finals, starting with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who barely made the playoffs with a .500 record. The Timberwolves, despite having some talented players, couldn’t match up against the Nuggets’ well-rounded team led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. Anthony Edwards was only 23 years old and the duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert were not clicking on the court as the series ended in five games. The same went for the Phoenix Suns, who only had Kevin Durant for eight games in the regular season before the playoffs started so there were chemistry issues.

In the Conference Finals, the Nuggets faced the Los Angeles Lakers, who had struggled with injuries and chemistry issues during the regular season. Although the Lakers showed improvement in the playoffs, their regular-season record of 43-39 reflected their vulnerabilities. The Nuggets capitalized on these weaknesses, paving their way to the Finals with a series of matchups that played in the Nuggets’ favor. The fact that the Nuggets took out the Miami Heat who were without Tyler Herro in the Finals made it a rather comfortable championship path.

4. 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers (62-20)

First Round: Phoenix Suns (36-46)

Second Round: Portland Trail Blazers (42-40)

Western Conference Finals: Denver Nuggets (52-30)

The 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers had a relatively smooth ride to the Finals, beginning with a first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, who finished the regular season with a poor 36-46 record and were swept despite Maurice Lucas’ 19.7 points per game averages. In the second round, the Lakers faced the Portland Trail Blazers, a team with a balanced record but not enough firepower to pose a serious threat to the Lakers’ championship ambitions.

The most challenging series for the Lakers came in the Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, who had a strong regular-season record of 52-30. Despite their success, the Nuggets couldn’t keep up with the Lakers’ depth and playoff experience. The Nuggets ended up losing in five games and never had a legitimate shot to make the Finals.

5. 1983-84 Boston Celtics (62-20)

First Round: Washington Bullets (35-47)

Second Round: New York Knicks (47-35)

Eastern Conference Finals: Milwaukee Bucks (50-32)

The 1983-84 Boston Celtics’ path to the Finals was marked by a relatively easy set of matchups, starting with the Washington Bullets, who had a dismal 35-47 record and were defeated in four games. In the second round, the Celtics faced the New York Knicks, a team that had a respectable regular-season record but still pushed the Celtics to seven games. Bernard King averaged 29.1 points per game in the series and put on his Superman cape but still fell short.

The Conference Finals saw the Celtics up against the Milwaukee Bucks, who were a solid team but not on the same level as the Celtics. The Bucks’ strong regular season was overshadowed by their inability to contend with Boston’s well-rounded roster and legendary home-court advantage and fell in five games.

6. 2012-13 Miami Heat (66-16)

First Round: Milwaukee Bucks (38-44)

Second Round: Chicago Bulls (45-37)

Eastern Conference Finals: Indiana Pacers (49-32)

The 2012-13 Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, had an easier-than-expected path to the Finals following prior season’s Finals victory. They started their campaign against the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that finished well below .500 and lacked the talent to compete with Miami’s star-studded lineup. This series was a quick and decisive sweep, demonstrating the vast disparity between the two teams. In the second round, the Heat faced the Chicago Bulls, who were dealing with significant injuries, including the absence of Derrick Rose.

The Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers presented the toughest challenge, but the Pacers’ lack of playoff experience and depth were evident. Despite a strong effort, the Pacers couldn’t overcome Miami’s big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Heat’s path was made easier by facing lower-seeded teams and benefiting from the struggles of their opponents before defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals in seven games.

7. 1985-86 Boston Celtics (67-15)

First Round: Chicago Bulls (30-52)

Second Round: Atlanta Hawks (50-32)

Eastern Conference Finals: Milwaukee Bucks (57-25)

The 1985-86 Boston Celtics faced one of the easiest paths to the Finals in NBA history. Their first-round opponent, the Chicago Bulls, had a dismal 30-52 record and were heavily reliant on a young Michael Jordan, who was still finding his footing in the league. The Celtics dispatched the Bulls with ease, setting the tone for their playoff run. In the second round, the Atlanta Hawks provided a tougher challenge with their 50-32 record, but they still couldn’t match the Celtics’ depth and experience.

The Conference Finals pitted the Celtics against the Milwaukee Bucks, who had a strong regular season but were no match for Boston’s powerhouse lineup. The Bucks were swept, meaning the Celtics only lost one playoff game over the first three rounds of the postseason until the NBA Finals. No surprise, the Celtics won the NBA championship by defeating the Houston Rockets in six games.

8. 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers (52-19)

First Round: Portland Trail Blazers (35-39)

Second Round: Houston Rockets (44-28)

Western Conference Finals: Denver Nuggets (46-27)

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2019-20 NBA Finals run was characterized by their dominance throughout the playoffs, reflecting their status as one of the favorites. In the first round, they faced the Portland Trail Blazers, who despite the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, struggled with injuries and inconsistencies during the season. The Lakers, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge, easily dispatched the Blazers in five games, showcasing their superior depth and defensive prowess.

Moving into the second round against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers faced a team known for its small-ball approach centered around James Harden and Russell Westbrook. While the Rockets posed a threat with their perimeter shooting and quick pace, they lacked the defensive presence to contain Davis in the paint. The Lakers exploited this weakness, dominating the boards and controlling the tempo, ultimately winning in five games again.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers met the Denver Nuggets, a team that had gained a reputation for their resilience and ability to come back from series deficits. The Nuggets were a tough matchup led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but the Lakers’ experience and defensive discipline proved crucial. They managed to limit Denver’s scoring options and closed out the series in five games, securing their spot in the NBA Finals where they defeated an injury-riddled Miami Heat team in six games.

9. 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs (37-13)

First Round: Minnesota Timberwolves (25-25)

Second Round: Los Angeles Lakers (31-19)

Western Conference Finals: Portland Trail Blazers (35-15)

The 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs had a remarkable playoff run despite the shortened regular season due to the lockout. They entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference with a 37-13 record. In the first round, they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing the regular season at .500 with a 25-25 record. The Spurs dominated the series, displaying their defensive prowess and experience with a 3-1 series victory, demonstrating their strength on both ends of the court.

Moving into the second round, the Spurs met the Los Angeles Lakers, who had a 31-19 regular-season record. The series was highly competitive, with intense battles on the court. The Spurs, led by their star players David Robinson and a young Tim Duncan, managed to edge out the Lakers in a thrilling 4-2 series. Duncan’s emergence as a dominant force in the paint, combined with the veteran leadership of Robinson, provided a formidable challenge for the Lakers.

Advancing to the Conference Finals, the Spurs faced the Portland Trail Blazers, who had a solid 35-15 regular-season record. This series was a showcase of defensive skill and strategic depth. The Spurs’ disciplined defense and efficient offense proved to be the difference, as they defeated the Trail Blazers in a hard-fought 4-0 series sweep. Duncan and Robinson continued to dominate inside, while the Spurs’ supporting cast, including Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson, provided crucial contributions on both ends of the floor.

10. 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25)

First Round: Detroit Pistons (44-38)

Second Round: Atlanta Hawks (48-34)

Eastern Conference Finals: Toronto Raptors (56-26)

The 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers had a memorable playoff run that culminated in their first NBA Championship in franchise history. Even if the Finals series was ultimately difficult, the path to the Finals really wasn’t. In the first round of the playoffs, the Cavaliers faced the Detroit Pistons, who had a solid regular-season record of 44-38. The Pistons put up a tough fight, especially in Games 3 and 4, but the Cavaliers ultimately prevailed with a 4-0 series sweep.

Moving on to the second round, the Cavaliers met the Atlanta Hawks, who finished the regular season with a 48-34 record. The Cavaliers continued their strong play, sweeping the Hawks 4-0. LeBron James, along with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, led the offensive charge, overwhelming the Hawks with their scoring prowess and efficient team play.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers faced the Toronto Raptors, who had an impressive regular-season record of 56-26. The Raptors provided a tougher challenge, winning two games in the series. However, the Cavaliers’ experience, depth, and LeBron James’ exceptional performances carried them to a 4-2 series victory. LeBron continued to dominate, averaging 26.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game in the series as the Cavs made the Finals for the second straight year.

Are The Celtics Having The Easiest Path In NBA History?

The Boston Celtics have not been tested in the playoffs at all leading up to Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite blowing a 15-point lead in Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers, they still managed to come out with an overtime victory and that means the Celtics will almost certainly proceed to the NBA Finals barring some unforeseen disaster. Boston is a far better team than Indiana, considering they finished with the NBA’s best record and the opponent finished sixth in the East.

The Celtics have had more star power than every team they have played against including the decimated Miami Heat team that did not have their superstar Jimmy Butler. In the second round, the Celtics competed against the Cleveland Cavaliers team that did not have Jarrett Allen for the entire series and Donovan Mitchell missed Game 4 and Game 5. Boston won both series in five games, and now they come up against a Pacers side led by 24-year-old All-Star Tyrese Haliburton in his first postseason appearance.

If Boston does end up in the Finals, they have a strong chance to appear among the teams with the easiest Finals run in NBA history. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday made the Celtics the best team in the NBA in the regular season and this overload of star power could boost the team to the Finals in a matter of days. 

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