The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005-06 season. The 2006 NBA Champions were the Miami Heat who won the first championship in the history of the franchise. The team defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the worlds premier mens basketball league. ... The 2005-06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season. ...

The Los Angeles Clippers were one of the playoffs' biggest surprises in 2006, as they not only made the playoffs for the first time since 1997 but they advanced to the second round for the first time since 1976, when they were the Buffalo Braves. They came within one game of making it to the conference finals for the first time ever, but lost Game 7 to the Phoenix Suns in convincing fashion. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The 1997 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Associations 1996-1997 season. ... The 1976 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Associations 1975-1976 season. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ...

The Mavericks almost gave up a 3-1 series lead to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the conference semifinals but managed to pull out a Game 7 overtime win in San Antonio to close out the series. It has been suggested that San Antonio Gunslingers (ABA) be merged into this article or section. ...

2006 marked the playoff debut of Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, who helped the Cavs eek out one-point overtime victories over the Washington Wizards in Games 5 and 6 of their first-round series to advance. Against the two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers were routed in Game 1 of the semifinal series and lost by six in Game 2 before coming back to win the following three games and come within one game of handing the Pistons a startling playoff defeat. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, the veteran Pistons recovered and won the last two games of the series for a seven-game series win. The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. ... LeBron Raymone James (IPA: , born December 30, 1984), commonly nicknamed King James, is an American All-Star small forward in the National Basketball Association who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. ... The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ...

It was the Cavaliers' first playoff appearance since 1998, and they earned their first playoff series win since 1993. The 1998 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Associations 1997-1998 season. ... The 1993 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Associations 1992-1993 season. ...

Despite the excitement surrounding James though, probably the story of the playoffs was Dwyane Wade's phenomenal play, leading the Heat to their first ever NBA Finals appearance. In the Finals, the Heat faced the Dallas Mavericks, who easily won the first two games at home. But the Heat won all three home games, and then narrowly edged the Mavs in Game 6 in Dallas to capture their first NBA Championship.

Format

Main article: NBA playoffs

Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involve nearly two months of play and between 60 and 105 games under the current format. The playoffs were conducted in four rounds of best of seven series. In each series, the team with the better record (or which wins a tiebreaker, in the event that teams with identical records are matched) held home court advantage, meaning that the seventh game, if played, is held in their home arena. Current NBA Playoff logo. ... Current NBA Playoff logo. ... In team sports, a team representing a city or a region is to be that areas home team. ...

The first two games in each series were played in the home arena of the team with home court advantage. The third and fourth games were played in the other arena. The fifth, sixth, and seventh games alternated between the two arenas. However, in the NBA Finals, the team with home court advantage hosted the first two and last two games, while the other team hosted the middle three games.

With the addition of the 30th NBA franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats, in 2004, the NBA realigned its divisions. Each conference had three divisions of five teams each, and at this point in time, the winner of each division was guaranteed a top three playoff seed, regardless of whether the team had one of the top eight records in its conference. However, the division champion was not guaranteed home court advantage; a division-leading team could be ranked third or even second but face a lower seed (that did not win its division) with a better record, which would then have the home court advantage. This was illustrated in the first round this year when the 44-win Denver Nuggets won the Northwest Division and had the third seed, yet did not have home court advantage against the sixth-seeded 47-win Los Angeles Clippers. However, starting in the 2007 NBA playoffs; being a division-leading team doesn't guarantee a top three playoff seed. Now, the best non division-leading team is capable of gaining a higher seed than the other two division leading-teams. Also, none of the division-leading teams will be seeded lower than the four seed. The Charlotte Bobcats are a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. They play in the Southeast Division, created because of the teams entry, of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association. ... The 2004-05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Northwest Division is a division in the Western Conference of the NBA. The division was newly created at the start of the 04-05 season. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Playoff bracket

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. ... The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. ... The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... It has been suggested that San Antonio Gunslingers (ABA) be merged into this article or section. ... The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team which is based in Sacramento, California. ... It has been suggested that San Antonio Gunslingers (ABA) be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... Lakers logo 1966-1991 The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team, based in Los Angeles, California, which plays in the National Basketball Association. ...

Playoff qualifying

Western Conference

Best record in conference

The San Antonio Spurs clinched the best record in the Western Conference, and had home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. However, once they were upset by the Mavericks in the Conference Semifinals, the Mavs then had the better record between them and the Phoenix Suns, and had home-court advantage in the Western Conference Finals. It has been suggested that San Antonio Gunslingers (ABA) be merged into this article or section. ...

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:

1. San Antonio Spurs (clinched Southwest division)
2. Phoenix Suns (clinched Pacific division)
3. Denver Nuggets (clinched Northwest division)
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. Los Angeles Clippers
7. Los Angeles Lakers
8. Sacramento Kings

It has been suggested that San Antonio Gunslingers (ABA) be merged into this article or section. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Lakers logo 1966-1991 The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team, based in Los Angeles, California, which plays in the National Basketball Association. ... The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team which is based in Sacramento, California. ...

Eastern Conference

Best record in NBA

The Detroit Pistons clinched the best record in the NBA, and earned home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when the Pistons lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, home court advantage in the NBA Finals switched to the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, who had a better record than the Heat. The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Logo of the NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association, played under a best-of-seven playoff format. ... Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States oldest Division I college athletic conference. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:

1. Detroit Pistons (clinched Central division)
2. Miami Heat (clinched Southeast division)
3. New Jersey Nets (clinched Atlantic division)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Washington Wizards
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Chicago Bulls
8. Milwaukee Bucks

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. ... The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

TV coverage

First and second round games were televised on ABC, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2 and NBA TV in the United States and on TSN, Rogers Sportsnet, The Score, and Raptors NBA TV in Canada; some games were also televised on local or regional TV networks. The Eastern Conference finals aired exclusively on ESPN and ABC, and the Western Conference finals aired exclusively on TNT; TSN and The Score split coverage of the Conference Finals. The NBA Finals aired exclusively on ABC in the U.S. and on TSN in Canada. [1] The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... Turner Network Television, usually referred to as TNT, is a cable TV network created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner. ... ESPN (which formerly stood for the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... ESPN2 debuted on October 1, 1993, as a sister station of ESPN. Nicknamed the deuce, ESPN2 was to be branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross, snowboarding, and BMX racing. ... NBA TV is a television network that is dedicated to showcasing the sport of basketball in the United States. ... TSN may also refer to The Sporting News, The Sierra Network, Team Sportscast Network or taxonomic serial number. ... Rogers Sportsnet is a Canadian cable television sports specialty channel, operating four regional feeds and one national high-definition feed. ... The Score is a Canadian cable television sports news specialty channel launched in 1997. ... Raptors NBA TV is a Canadian specialty channel which broadcasts programming about everything related to the NBAs Toronto Raptors including live games during the regular season and playoffs, classic games and other NBA related news. ... ESPN (which formerly stood for the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... TSN may also refer to The Sporting News, The Sierra Network, Team Sportscast Network or taxonomic serial number. ... The Score is a Canadian cable television sports news specialty channel launched in 1997. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... TSN may also refer to The Sporting News, The Sierra Network, Team Sportscast Network or taxonomic serial number. ...

Western Conference

Champion: Dallas Mavericks This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

First Round

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Sacramento Kings

*Required overtime The AT&T Center is an indoor arena located in San Antonio, Texas. ... Nickname: Alamo City; River City Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Bexar County Government  - Mayor Phil Hardberger Area  - City  412. ... The ARCO Arena is an indoor arena located in Sacramento, California at , . Completed in 1988, at a cost of $40 million — entirely privately financed — it is home to the Sacramento Kings of the NBA and the WNBAs Sacramento Monarchs. ... Nickname: River City Location of Sacramento in California County Sacramento Government  - Mayor Heather Fargo Area  - City  99. ... Overtime is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport in order to bring the game to a decision and avoid declaring the contest a tie or draw. ...

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

*Required overtime US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena) is a sports and entertainment facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Staples Center is a multipurpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles, California at the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: State California County Los Angeles County Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D)  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ...

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Los Angeles Clippers

Staples Center is a multipurpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles, California at the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: State California County Los Angeles County Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D)  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ... Pepsi Center is an arena located in Denver, Colorado, USA. The building is home to the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Crush. ... : The Mile-High City United States Colorado Denver (coextensive) 154. ...

(4) Dallas Mavericks vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies

*Required overtime The American Airlines Center is an arena located in the Victory Park neighborhood near downtown Dallas, Texas that is used for hockey games, basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall Incorporated 2 February 1856 Government  - Mayor Laura Miller Area  - City  385. ... FedExForum is one of the most unique arenas in the NBA. It officially opened in September of 2004, after much debate and also a alberta clipper wind storm in Jully 2003 that nearly brought the crains building the arena down on famed Beal street. ... For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ...

Conference Semifinals

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks

*Required overtime The AT&T Center is an indoor arena located in San Antonio, Texas. ... Nickname: Alamo City; River City Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Bexar County Government  - Mayor Phil Hardberger Area  - City  412. ... The American Airlines Center is an arena located in the Victory Park neighborhood near downtown Dallas, Texas that is used for hockey games, basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall Incorporated 2 February 1856 Government  - Mayor Laura Miller Area  - City  385. ...

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Los Angeles Clippers

**Required double overtime US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena) is a sports and entertainment facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Staples Center is a multipurpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles, California at the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: State California County Los Angeles County Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D)  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ...

Conference Finals

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks

The American Airlines Center is an arena located in the Victory Park neighborhood near downtown Dallas, Texas that is used for hockey games, basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall Incorporated 2 February 1856 Government  - Mayor Laura Miller Area  - City  385. ... US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena) is a sports and entertainment facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ...

Eastern Conference

Champion: Miami Heat This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

First Round

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks

The Palace of Auburn Hills (a. ... Auburn Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... The Bradley Center is an indoor arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ... Nickname: Cream City, Brew City, Mil Town, The City of Festivals Location of Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Coordinates: County Milwaukee Government  - Mayor Tom Barrett Area  - City  97 sq mi (251. ...

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Chicago Bulls

The AmericanAirlines Arena is an arena located in downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay and is used for basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: The Magic City Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida. ... The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, Illinois, named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ...

(3) New Jersey Nets vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

Continental Airlines Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... Map highlighting East Rutherfords location within Bergen County. ... Conseco Fieldhouse is a sports arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It is the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and the Indiana Fever of the Womens National Basketball Association. ... Location in the state of Indiana Coordinates: County Marion Founded 1821 Government  - Mayor Bart Peterson (D) Area  - City  372 sq mi (963. ...

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards

*Required overtime Quicken Loans Arena (aka The Q) is a multipurpose arena in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Until August 2005, it was known as Gund Arena, named for Gordon Gund, a former owner of the Cavaliers, after he paid for the naming rights. ... Cleveland redirects here. ... The Verizon Center is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C., USA, named after telecommunications sponsor Verizon Communications. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D...

Conference Semifinals

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers

The Palace of Auburn Hills (a. ... Auburn Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... The NBA on ABC is a TV show that telecasts NBA games on ABC Sports since Christmas Day 2002. ... The NBA on TNT, known since October 2002 as TNT NBA Thursday, is a weekly broadcast of National Basketball Association games on Turner Network Television. ... Quicken Loans Arena (aka The Q) is a multipurpose arena in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Until August 2005, it was known as Gund Arena, named for Gordon Gund, a former owner of the Cavaliers, after he paid for the naming rights. ... Cleveland redirects here. ... ...

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) New Jersey Nets

The AmericanAirlines Arena is an arena located in downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay and is used for basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: The Magic City Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida. ... The NBA on TNT, known since October 2002 as TNT NBA Thursday, is a weekly broadcast of National Basketball Association games on Turner Network Television. ... Continental Airlines Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... Map highlighting East Rutherfords location within Bergen County. ... ... The NBA on ABC is a TV show that telecasts NBA games on ABC Sports since Christmas Day 2002. ...

Conference Finals

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) Miami Heat

The Palace of Auburn Hills (a. ... Auburn Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... ... The AmericanAirlines Arena is an arena located in downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay and is used for basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: The Magic City Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida. ... The NBA on ABC is a TV show that telecasts NBA games on ABC Sports since Christmas Day 2002. ...

NBA Finals

Main article: 2006 NBA Finals

The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season. ...

Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat

*Required overtime The American Airlines Center is an arena located in the Victory Park neighborhood near downtown Dallas, Texas that is used for hockey games, basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall Incorporated 2 February 1856 Government  - Mayor Laura Miller Area  - City  385. ... The NBA on ABC is a TV show that telecasts NBA games on ABC Sports since Christmas Day 2002. ... The AmericanAirlines Arena is an arena located in downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay and is used for basketball games and concerts. ... Nickname: The Magic City Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida. ...

Trivia

• The song "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter was played in arenas when the home team was eliminated (a la "American Idol"). This idea spread over to other sports competitions that year such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and sometimes even during the 2006 MLB season.

Bad Day is a pop song written by Canadian singer Daniel Powter. ... Daniel Robert Powter (born February 25, 1971) is a Canadian Grammy Award-nominated recording artist. ... AMERICAN IDOL HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO DEATH OF SIMON ... Qualifying countries The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th staging of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international association football world championship tournament. ... The NHL unveiled a new logo for the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2006 throughout the world. ...

External links

• Official website of the NBA
• Official website of the 2006 NBA Playoffs
• ESPN's NBA page