2 Warriors teams and 2 Bulls teams have made up the top seeds so far; the 5th overall seed in this tournament is the 1986 Boston Celtics.
1. 1986 NBA CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS v. 16. PLAY IN WINNER
(67-15)
-The Celtics took out the Rockets in the NBA Finals; it's our first look at this Boston group - Larry Bird is 29; Kevin McHale 28, Robert Parish 32. They'll face the winner of the play in game between the 1990 Spurs and the 1994 Hawks.
8. 1953 NBA CHAMP MINN LAKERS v. 9. 2012 CEN DIV CHAMP CHICAGO BULLS
(48-22) (50-16)
-The Lakers won the whole thing, knocking off the Knicks in the Finals. George Mikan's 28, Vern Mikkelsen's 24. The Bulls lost in the first round; Derrick Rose's 23.
5. 2007 PAC DIV CHAMP PHOENIX SUNS v. 12. 2019 UTAH JAZZ
(61-21) (50-32)
-The Suns fell to the Spurs in the West Semis. Steve Nash is 32, Amare Stoudemire's 24. They face a Jazz squad from just a couple years back which lost in the first round. Donovan Mitchell's 22, Rudy Gobert 26.
4. 1992 WEST CHAMP PORT TRAIL BLAZERS v. 13. 2009 HOUSTON ROCKETS
(57-25) (53-29)
-Clyde Drexler's 29 and he leads the way for the Blazers club that fell to the Bulls in the Finals. Yao Ming leads the Rockets, he's 28, Tracy McGrady's 29; this group fell in the West Semis.
3. 2018 NBA CHAMPION GOLDEN ST WARRIORS v. 14. 1987 DETROIT PISTONS
(58-24) (52-30)
-The Warriors won their 3rd title in 4 seasons, sweeping the Cavs in the Finals. Steph and KD are 29. Green and Thompson, 27. They'll host the Pistons team that lost in the East Finals - Isiah's 25, Dumars 23 and 31 year old Adrian Dantley leds the club in PPG.
6. 1991 WEST CHAMP LA LAKERS v. 11. 1996 ATL DIV CHAMP ORLANDO MAGIC
(58-24) (60-22)
-The Lakers 80s run ends here, with a Finals loss to the Bulls. Magic's 31. Worthy 29. The Magic lost in the East Finals. Shaq's 23. Penny's 24.
7. 1961 NBA CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS v. 10. 2001 SACRAMENTO KINGS
(57-22) (55-27)
-Another World Champion Celtics squad; this team took out the Hawks in the Finals. Russell's 26, Cousy 32, 26 year old Tommy Heinsohn leads in PPG. The Kings lost in the West Semis; they're led by a 27 year old Chris Webber.
2. 2007 NBA CHAMPION SA SPURS v. 15. 2001 DALLAS MAVERICKS
(58-24) (53-29)
-Just a load of World Champions in Region 5. These Spurs swept the Cavs in the Finals. Duncan's 30, Ginobli 29, Parker 24. They'll host the Mavs who lost the West Semis -- to the Spurs. Dirk Nowitzki's 22, Steve Nash 26.
