Has a low seed (5-8) playoff team ever won a title?

[Bibby-4-Three]

Anybody know?

 

[Bibby-4-Three]

Or even made it to the Finals for that matter?

 

[Bricklayer]

Anybody know?

Only once in the last 30 years I think.

Houston in 95 was I think a #6 seed. But of course even that was a bit of a ruse, because they were also the defending champs and the only reason they ended up #6 in '95 was because of a rash of injuries.

Otherwise, its very rare for any team not in the top 4 in the whole league in wins to win the title. Normally the best in the regular season are the best come playoff time. I've actually posted the results before, although I have no idea what to search under to recall them.

Back in the 70's the NBA/ABA split and some really aberrant results made it kind of a free for all. But only the once in the modern era pretty much.

 

[Bibby-4-Three]

Brick to the rescue...I had a feeling you might know brotha...thanks!

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Houston as Brick mentioned won it all, the NY Knicks were an 8 seed in the lockout year (99) and went to the finals. No 4 seed has even reached the finals in the last 20-something years.

 

[mcsluggo]

weren't the bullets a fairly low seed when they won the whole enchelada (78? 79? 80? ish?)

 

[pdxKingsFan]

The Bullets in 77-78 were 44-38, good enough for 2nd place in the Central Division and 3rd overall in the East. They beat 4th seeded Seattle 4-3. Their Head Coach was Dick Motta. They were 54-28 the following year where they lost their rematch with the Supersonics.

 

[captain bill]

horse cart--------------------------->

 

[tjobrien]

Or even made it to the Finals for that matter?

The Knicks in the lockout shortened season (1999?) were the 8th seed. Of course, that year was just kind of screwy. They made it to the finals, even with an injured Ewing unable to play, but obviously did not win (San Antonio).

See: The Ewing Theory