The San Antonio Spurs knocked out the Dallas Mavericks from the 2010 NBA Playoffs, closing the best-of-seven series with a 97-87 Game 6 victory in San Antonio. As TNT displayed on the television screen at the end of the game, the Spurs are the first #7 seed in the best-of-seven first round format to advance past the first round. They are only the fifth #7 seed to advance in NBA playoff history and the first since the New York Knicks beat the Miami Heat in 1998. Sadly for the Mavericks, they were also the first #1 seed to lose in the best-of-seven first round format era when they fell at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in 2007. Interestingly enough, the Heat followed their first round loss as a #2 seed in 1998 with a first round loss as a #1 seed in the lockout-shortened season of 1999 (to the rival Knicks, nonetheless).
Then again, the Western Conference was as competitive as can be this year, with all 8 playoff teams winning at least 50 games. And, with a team that had won 4 of the last 11 championships, the argument can be made that this was not that much of an upset. Although Dallas surprised the league with its bold and effective roster moves over the past year, the moves were not enough to win the championship this year.
Then again, the Western Conference was as competitive as can be this year, with all 8 playoff teams winning at least 50 games. And, with a team that had won 4 of the last 11 championships, the argument can be made that this was not that much of an upset. Although Dallas surprised the league with its bold and effective roster moves over the past year, the moves were not enough to win the championship this year.