Every team that swept a regular-season series has won the playoff series-for 10 years

[fearless]

As I'm sure you all know, the Magic swept the Lakers 2-0 in the regular season. The info below is for the first round. Is anyone willing to do some research to find out if it holds true for other rounds?



Generally, the playoffs tend to follow the trends established during a pair of teams' regular-season battles. Consider what Insider discovered in combing through first-round results from the last 10 seasons:
Every favorite (No. 1 through No. 4 seeds) won its first series if it also won the regular-season matchup against its opponent.
Underdogs have pulled off 15 upsets during that time span. Of the 19 underdogs who won the regular-season matchup, eight pulled off the playoff upset. Of the 25 lower-seeded teams to split the regular-season series, seven beat the higher seed in the playoffs.
Every team that swept a regular-season series went on to win the playoffs series.
Only one underdog (No. 5 through No. 8 seeds) swept a higher-seeded opponent in the regular season. That was the 2006-07 Golden State Warriors, an 8-seed, who went on to beat the Mavericks in the first round, as well.


This is from ESPN insider so I'm copying the whole article below:


Insider: LeBron on the Playoffs

Chris Broussard talks to LeBron James about the upcoming playoffs. (4/09)Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, Lebron James

Insider: LeBron on the Playoffs

How much does the NBA's regular season matter come playoff time? More than you ever might have imagined. It turns out that by studying head-to-head results for postseason matchups, we end up with a strong clue as to how a series will turn out.
Generally, the playoffs tend to follow the trends established during a pair of teams' regular-season battles. Consider what Insider discovered in combing through first-round results from the last 10 seasons:
Every favorite (No. 1 through No. 4 seeds) won its first series if it also won the regular-season matchup against its opponent.
Underdogs have pulled off 15 upsets during that time span. Of the 19 underdogs who won the regular-season matchup, eight pulled off the playoff upset. Of the 25 lower-seeded teams to split the regular-season series, seven beat the higher seed in the playoffs.
Every team that swept a regular-season series went on to win the playoffs series.
Only one underdog (No. 5 through No. 8 seeds) swept a higher-seeded opponent in the regular season. That was the 2006-07 Golden State Warriors, an 8-seed, who went on to beat the Mavericks in the first round, as well. FAVORED STATUS

Over the past 10 seasons, higher seeds performed significantly better in first-round playoff matchups when they held an edge in the regular-season head-to-head series.
Favorite's Win % (Reg. Season) Teams Upsets Upset % Sweeps Sweep % 1.000 9 0 0.0 5 55.6 .750 18 0 0.0 2 11.1 .667 9 0 0.0 1 11.1 .500 25 7 28.0 6 24.0 .333 6 3 50.0 0 0.0 .250 12 4 33.3 3 25.0 .000 1 1 100 0 0.0 Total 80 15 18.8 17 21.3

With that information in mind, let's take a look at the first-round matchups, now that they're finally set after a wild Wednesday night. Also, it's worth remembering a couple of other nuggets from the last 10 seasons. Upsets were far more common in the Eastern Conference (11) than the West. And not a single No. 2 seed lost a first-round series, which isn't that surprising, given that none of them lost a regular season head-to-head series, either.

[BrandonLaz]

I have not done the research to find out if this holds true in the later rounds. I however do believe this series is a Lakers win in 6 or 7. It is going to be a hard fought tough series where the Magic keep it close in every game. The Magic could pull off the upset, but I believe the Lakers experience gives them the edge that wins this one. I expect a great NBA Finals and will have to do tons of debating on each game with who to take at which line.

[fearless]

I have not done the research to find out if this holds true in the later rounds. I however do believe this series is a Lakers win in 6 or 7. It is going to be a hard fought tough series where the Magic keep it close in every game. The Magic could pull off the upset, but I believe the Lakers experience gives them the edge that wins this one. I expect a great NBA Finals and will have to do tons of debating on each game with who to take at which line.

I'm considering taking Magic ML for the first two games in LA and if it's 1-1 going back to Orlando taking Lakers ML for those two games.

[reno cool]

why would you do that based on your theory? Just bet the series.

[RoagBettor]

Orlando is a different team than when they played the Lakers earlier in the season. Not comparing apples to apples. Plus, they only played 2 games.

Lakers in 5.

[Bradyd]

Orlando is a different team than when they played the Lakers earlier in the season. Not comparing apples to apples. Plus, they only played 2 games.

Lakers in 5.

So are the Lakers. I'm not saying Orlando would win the series, but they are severely underrated. Those guys have heart and if you look at what they did in these playoffs, the Lakers should be sweating a little bit. They would have much rather played Cleveland...

[BCaldwell32]

Orlando is a different team than when they played the Lakers earlier in the season. Not comparing apples to apples. Plus, they only played 2 games.

Lakers in 5.

LOL, yeah they are a different team beacause they are much better than they were in regular season!! There is zero % chance that the Lakers win this series in 5 games. It is way more likely that Orlando wins in 5 if they can steal one game in LA and then win all 3 at home. Lakers would have to win 2 of 3 in Orlando and thats not gonna happen.

Orlando in 7

[RoagBettor]

I'll take the Lakers SU to win the series and you take Orlando. How much?

[lakerboy]

LOL, yeah they are a different team beacause they are much better than they were in regular season!! There is zero % chance that the Lakers win this series in 5 games. It is way more likely that Orlando wins in 5 if they can steal one game in LA and then win all 3 at home. Lakers would have to win 2 of 3 in Orlando and thats not gonna happen.

Orlando in 7

you were spot on yesterday bro but dont get carried away- the lakers would never lose a game 7 of the nba finals to orlando at home. LAkers in 5-6 games. I believe it will be a split the first 2 games and then lakers take 2of 3 in orlando and wrap up in la

[NBA Hero]

[quote=BCaldwell32;1897136]LOL, yeah they are a different team beacause they are much better than they were in regular season!! There is zero % chance that the Lakers win this series in 5 games. It is way more likely that Orlando wins in 5 if they can steal one game in LA and then win all 3 at home. Lakers would have to win 2 of 3 in Orlando and thats not gonna happen.



huh? nelson played great on those two games. he is the difference maker

[Dark Horse]

I'm not drinking the Orlando cool aid.

Series will be decided by coaching, experience, team work, and individual class. Lakers get at least three out of four of those. If anything, the two regular season losses will inspire the Lakers more. Remember that these were big games for Orlando at the time, but not to the Lakers.

This won't go seven. Lakers in five or six.

[RICHIE801]

Well the G-state Dallas series was different, Dallas had problems with G-state for a couple years leading up to that playoff. Also facing G state 4 times a year and struggled against that team the regular season they went to the finals, the year before and obviously the year after. Lets not forget Don Nelson was facing his old team and knew the weaknesses and strengths of Dallas, what does Van Gundy know about LA's players? And Orlando beat LA twice, that is not that big of a deal. I remember J. Richardson used to tear up the Mavs big time every year he was in G-state, that being said Orl is coming into this with a different PG anyway than the one they beat LA with, dont base too much off of two regular season games against out of conference opponents.