Degrees Of Difficulty

Since the current four-round playoff format was adopted in 1983-84, seven teams have reached the Finals undefeated or with a single loss. Of those, the 2000-01 Lakers had the most difficult path through the conference finals, facing three teams (the Blazers, the Kings and the Spurs) who finished the regular season a combined 163-83. Here's how the other finalists' opposition stacks up.

—David Sabino

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]