2003 NBA Playoffs

The 2003 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2002-03 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time.

This postseason was notable for being the first time all series were conducted in a best-of-7 format. It was also the only time in playoff history that no team was swept in a first-round series. From 19842002, the first-round series was best-of-5.

This is the first time that the NBA Playoffs carried more games on cable television than regular broadcast television. This also marks the debut for the NBA Playoffs to be aired on NBA TV, and the return broadcast on ESPN & ABC after the NBA departed from NBC and TBS.

The Detroit Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars-led team were swept by the Chicago Bulls in 1991, ending the Pistons' quest for a third consecutive title. The Pistons would go on to appear in six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals until 2008, the most consecutive appearances for any Eastern Conference team since the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics (1957–1969).

The Dallas Mavericks also ended a long conference finals drought by making it there for the first time since 1988.

Bracket

First Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
            
1 San Antonio 4
8 Phoenix 2
1 San Antonio 4
5 L.A. Lakers 2
4 Minnesota 2
5 L.A. Lakers 4
1 San Antonio 4
Western Conference
3 Dallas 2
3 Dallas 4
6 Portland 3
3 Dallas 4
2 Sacramento 3
2 Sacramento 4
7 Utah 1
W1 San Antonio 4
E2 New Jersey 2
1 Detroit 4
8 Orlando 3
1 Detroit 4
4 Philadelphia 2
4 Philadelphia 4
5 New Orleans 2
1 Detroit 0
Eastern Conference
2 New Jersey 4
3 Indiana 2
6 Boston 4
6 Boston 0
2 New Jersey 4
2 New Jersey 4
7 Milwaukee 2

Playoff qualifying

Western Conference

Seed Team Record
1 San Antonio Spurs 60–22
2 Sacramento Kings 59–23
3 Dallas Mavericks 60–22
4 Minnesota Timberwolves 51–31
5 Los Angeles Lakers 50–32
6 Portland Trail Blazers 50–32
7 Utah Jazz 47–35
8 Phoenix Suns 44–38

    Eastern Conference

    Seed Team Record
    1 Detroit Pistons 50-32
    2 New Jersey Nets 49-33
    3 Indiana Pacers 48–34
    4 Philadelphia 76ers 48–34
    5 New Orleans Hornets 47–35
    6 Boston Celtics 44–38
    7 Milwaukee Bucks 42–40
    8 Orlando Magic 42–40

      Western Conference

      Champion: San Antonio Spurs

      First Round

      (1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Phoenix Suns

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (PHO-SAS)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1* April 19 Phoenix 96 San Antonio 95 1-0 SBC Center, San Antonio ESPN 5:30 EDT/4:30CT Recap
      2 April 21 Phoenix 76 San Antonio 84 1–1 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 7:30 EDT/6:30CT Recap
      3 April 25 San Antonio 99 Phoenix 86 1–2 America West Arena, Phoenix NBA TV 10:00 EDT/8:00MT Recap
      4 April 27 San Antonio 84 Phoenix 86 2–2 America West Arena, Phoenix TNT 10:30 EDT/8:30MT Recap
      5 April 29 Phoenix 82 San Antonio 94 2–3 SBC Center, San Antonio NBA TV 8:30 EDT/7:30CT Recap
      6 May 1 San Antonio 87 Phoenix 85 2–4 America West Arena, Phoenix TBS 10:30 EDT/8:30MT Recap
      San Antonio wins series 4–2

      Stephon Marbury hits the game-winning 3 at the buzzer in Game 1.

      This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning three of the first five meetings.

      (2) Sacramento Kings vs. (7) Utah Jazz

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (UTA-SAC)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 19 Utah 90 Sacramento 96 0–1 ARCO Arena, Sacramento TNT 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      2 April 21 Utah 95 Sacramento 108 0–2 ARCO Arena, Sacramento TNT 10:00 EDT/7:00PT Recap
      3 April 26 Sacramento 104 Utah 108 1–2 Delta Center, Salt Lake City ESPN 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      4 April 28 Sacramento 99 Utah 82 1–3 Delta Center, Salt Lake City TNT 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      5 April 30 Utah 91 Sacramento 111 1–4 ARCO Arena, Sacramento TNT 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      Sacramento wins series 4–1

      Game 5 is John Stockton's final NBA game.

      This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

      (3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (POR-DAL)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 19 Portland 86 Dallas 96 0–1 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 8:00 EDT/7:00CT Recap
      2 April 23 Portland 99 Dallas 103 0–2 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      3 April 25 Dallas 115 Portland 103 0–3 Rose Garden, Portland ESPN 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      4 April 27 Dallas 79 Portland 98 1–3 Rose Garden, Portland TNT 8:00 EDT/7:00PT Recap
      5 April 30 Portland 103 Dallas 99 2–3 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 8:00 EDT/7:00CT Recap
      6 May 2 Dallas 103 Portland 125 3–3 Rose Garden, Portland ESPN 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      7 May 4 Portland 95 Dallas 107 3–4 American Airlines Center, Dallas ABC 3:30 EDT/2:30CT Recap
      Dallas wins series 4–3

      This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Trail Blazers winning the first two meetings.

      (4) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (LAL-MIN)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 20 L.A. Lakers 117 Minnesota 98 1-0 Target Center, Minneapolis ABC 3:30 EDT/2:30CT Recap
      2 April 22 L.A. Lakers 91 Minnesota 119 1–1 Target Center, Minneapolis TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      3 April 24 Minnesota 114 L.A. Lakers 110 1–2 Staples Center, Los Angeles TNT 11:00 EDT/8:00PT Recap
      4 April 27 Minnesota 97 L.A. Lakers 102 2–2 Staples Center, Los Angeles ABC 3:00 EDT/12:00PT Recap
      5 April 29 L.A. Lakers 120 Minnesota 90 3-2 Target Center, Minneapolis TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      6 May 1 Minnesota 85 L.A. Lakers 101 4-2 Staples Center, Los Angeles TNT 11:00 EDT/8:00PT Recap
      L.A. Lakers wins series 4–2

      This was the first playoff meeting between the Lakers and the Timberwolves.[4]

      Conference Semifinals

      (1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (LAL-SAS)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 May 5 L.A. Lakers 82 San Antonio 87 0–1 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      2 May 7 L.A. Lakers 95 San Antonio 114 0–2 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      3 May 9 San Antonio 95 L.A. Lakers 110 1–2 Staples Center, Los Angeles TNT 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      4 May 11 San Antonio 95 L.A. Lakers 99 2–2 Staples Center, Los Angeles ABC 3:30 EDT/12:30PT Recap
      5 May 13 L.A. Lakers 94 San Antonio 96 2–3 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      6 May 15 San Antonio 110 L.A. Lakers 82 2–4 Staples Center, Los Angeles ABC 8:00 EDT/6:00PT Recap
      San Antonio wins series 4–2

      This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first eight meetings.

      (2) Sacramento Kings vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (SAC-DAL)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 May 6 Sacramento 124 Dallas 113 1-0 American Airlines Center, Dallas ESPN 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      2 May 8 Sacramento 110 Dallas 132 1–1 American Airlines Center, Dallas ESPN 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      3** May 10 Dallas 141 Sacramento 137 1–2 ARCO Arena, Sacramento ESPN 9:30 EDT/6:30PT Recap
      4 May 11 Dallas 83 Sacramento 99 2–2 ARCO Arena, Sacramento TNT 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      5 May 13 Sacramento 93 Dallas 112 2–3 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 9:30 EDT/8:30CT Recap
      6 May 15 Dallas 109 Sacramento 115 3–3 ARCO Arena, Sacramento TNT 10:30 EDT/7:30PT Recap
      7 May 17 Sacramento 99 Dallas 112 3–4 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 8:30 EDT/7:30CT Recap
      Dallas wins series 4–3

      **Required double-overtime.

      This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Kings winning the first meeting.

      Conference Finals

      (1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (DAL-SAS)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 May 19 Dallas 113 San Antonio 110 1-0 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 9:00 EDT/8:00CT Recap
      2 May 21 Dallas 106 San Antonio 119 1–1 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 8:30 EDT/7:30CT Recap
      3 May 23 San Antonio 96 Dallas 83 1–2 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 9:00 EDT/8:00CT Recap
      4 May 25 San Antonio 102 Dallas 95 1–3 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 9:00 EDT/8:00CT Recap
      5 May 27 Dallas 103 San Antonio 91 2–3 SBC Center, San Antonio TNT 9:00 EDT/8:00CT Recap
      6 May 29 San Antonio 90 Dallas 78 2–4 American Airlines Center, Dallas TNT 9:00 EDT/8:00CT Recap
      San Antonio wins Western Conference Championship series 4–2

      Steve Kerr puts on a shooting performance for the ages connecting on 4 3-pointers closing out Dallas in game 6.

      This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning the first meeting.

      Eastern Conference

      Champion: New Jersey Nets

      First Round

      (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (ORL-DET)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 20 Orlando 99 Detroit 94 1-0 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills ESPN 12:30et Recap
      2 April 23 Orlando 77 Detroit 89 1-1 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills NBA TV 8:00et Recap
      3 April 25 Detroit 80 Orlando 89 2-1 TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando ESPN 8:00et Recap
      4 April 27 Detroit 92 Orlando 100 3-1 TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando ESPN 5:30et Recap
      5 April 30 Orlando 67 Detroit 98 3-2 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills NBA TV 7:30et Recap
      6 May 2 Detroit 103 Orlando 88 3–3 TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando NBA TV 7:30et Recap
      7 May 4 Orlando 93 Detroit 108 3–4 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills ESPN 12:30et Recap
      Detroit wins series 4–3

      This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Magic winning the first meeting.

      (2) New Jersey Nets vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (MIL-NJN)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 19 Milwaukee 96 New Jersey 109 0–1 Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey ESPN 12:30et Recap
      2 April 22 Milwaukee 88 New Jersey 85 1–1 Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey TNT 7:00et Recap
      3 April 24 New Jersey 103 Milwaukee 101 1–2 Bradley Center, Milwaukee TNT 8:30et/7:30ct Recap
      4* April 26 New Jersey 114 Milwaukee 119 2–2 Bradley Center, Milwaukee TNT 5:00et/4:00ct Recap
      5 April 29 Milwaukee 82 New Jersey 89 2–3 Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey TNT 7:00et Recap
      6 May 1 New Jersey 113 Milwaukee 101 2–4 Bradley Center, Milwaukee TNT 6:00et/5:00ct Recap
      New Jersey wins series 4–2

      *Required overtime.

      This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bucks winning the first two meetings.

      (3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Boston Celtics

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (BOS-IND)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 19 Boston 103 Indiana 100 1-0 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis ESPN 3:00et/2:00ct Recap
      2 April 21 Boston 77 Indiana 89 1–1 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis NBATV 8:30et/7:30ct Recap
      3 April 24 Indiana 83 Boston 101 2-1 FleetCenter, Boston TNT 6:00et Recap
      4 April 27 Indiana 92 Boston 102 3-1 FleetCenter, Boston ESPN2 12:00et Recap
      5* April 29 Boston 88 Indiana 93 3-2 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis NBATV 8:00et/7:00ct Recap
      6 May 1 Indiana 90 Boston 110 4-2 FleetCenter, Boston TBS 8:00et Recap
      Boston wins series 4–2

      *Required overtime.

      This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first two meetings.

      (4) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) New Orleans Hornets

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (NOH-PHI)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 April 20 New Orleans 90 Philadelphia 98 0–1 First Union Center, Philadelphia TNT 8:00et Recap
      2 April 23 New Orleans 85 Philadelphia 90 0–2 First Union Center, Philadelphia TNT 7:00et Recap
      3 April 26 Philadelphia 85 New Orleans 99 1–2 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans TNT 7:30et/6:30ct Recap
      4 April 28 Philadelphia 96 New Orleans 87 1–3 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans TNT 7:30et/6:30ct Recap
      5 April 30 New Orleans 93 Philadelphia 91 2–3 First Union Center, Philadelphia TNT 6:00et Recap
      6 May 2 Philadelphia 107 New Orleans 103 2–4 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans ESPN 8:30et/7:30ct Recap
      Philadelphia wins series 4–2

      This was the first playoff meeting between the 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets franchise.[11]

      Conference Semifinals

      (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Philadelphia 76ers

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (PHI-DET)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 May 6 Philadelphia 87 Detroit 98 0–1 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills ESPN 7:30et Recap
      2* May 8 Philadelphia 97 Detroit 104 0–2 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills ESPN 7:00et Recap
      3 May 10 Detroit 83 Philadelphia 93 1–2 First Union Center, Philadelphia ESPN 8:00et Recap
      4 May 11 Detroit 82 Philadelphia 95 2–2 First Union Center, Philadelphia ESPN 7:30et Recap
      5 May 14 Philadelphia 77 Detroit 78 2–3 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills ESPN 8:00et Recap
      6* May 16 Detroit 93 Philadelphia 89 2–4 First Union Center, Philadelphia ESPN 8:00et Recap
      Detroit wins series 4–2

      This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning the first meeting. All previous series took place while the Nationals/76ers franchise were in Syracuse and the Pistons franchise were in Fort Wayne.

      *Required overtime.

      (2) New Jersey Nets vs. (6) Boston Celtics

      Game Date Visitor Score Home Score Record

      (BOS-NJN)

      Venue TV Time Recap
      1 May 5 Boston 93 New Jersey 97 0–1 Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey TNT 7:00et Recap
      2 May 7 Boston 95 New Jersey 104 0–2 Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey TNT 7:00et Recap
      3 May 9 New Jersey 94 Boston 76 0–3 FleetCenter, Boston TNT 8:00et Recap
      4** May 12 New Jersey 110 Boston 101 0–4 FleetCenter, Boston TNT 8:00et Recap
      New Jersey wins series 4–0

      This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Nets winning the first meeting.

      Conference Finals

      (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) New Jersey Nets

      May 20
      8:00 pm
      New Jersey Nets 88, Detroit Pistons 86
      The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
      ABC
      May 22
      8:00 pm
      Detroit Pistons 85, New Jersey Nets 97
      ESPN
      May 24
      8:00 pm
      Detroit Pistons 82, New Jersey Nets 102
      New Jersey won series, 4–0
      Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

      This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.

      NBA Finals

      (W1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) New Jersey Nets

      Main article: 2003 NBA Finals
      June 4
      7:30 pm
      New Jersey Nets 89, San Antonio Spurs 101
      Scoring by quarter: 21–18, 21–24, 17–32, 30–27
      Pts: Kenyon Martin 21
      Rebs: Kenyon Martin 12
      Asts: Jason Kidd 10
      Pts: Tim Duncan 32
      Rebs: Tim Duncan 20
      Asts: Tim Duncan 6
      SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
      Attendance: 18,797
      Referees: Dick Bavetta, Joe Crawford, Joe DeRosa
      ABC
      June 6
      7:30 pm
      New Jersey Nets 87, San Antonio Spurs 85
      Scoring by quarter: 19–18, 22–17, 25–21, 21–29
      Pts: Jason Kidd 30
      Rebs: Jason Kidd 7
      Asts: Kenyon Martin 4
      Pts: Tony Parker 21
      Rebs: Tim Duncan 12
      Asts: Tony Parker 5
      SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
      Attendance: 18,797
      Referees: Dan Crawford, Bob Delaney, Bennett Salvatore
      ABC
      June 8
      8:30 pm
      San Antonio Spurs 84, New Jersey Nets 79
      Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 18–9, 21–27, 30–22
      Pts: Tony Parker 26
      Rebs: Tim Duncan 16
      Asts: Tim Duncan 7
      Pts: Kenyon Martin 23
      Rebs: Kenyon Martin 11
      Asts: Jason Kidd 11
      Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
      Attendance: 19,280
      Referees: Ron Garretson, Steve Javie, Jack Nies
      ABC
      June 11
      8:30 pm
      San Antonio Spurs 76, New Jersey Nets 77
      Scoring by quarter: 18–16, 16–29, 23–11, 19–21
      Pts: Tim Duncan 23
      Rebs: Tim Duncan 16
      Asts: Parker, Jackson 3 each
      Pts: Kenyon Martin 20
      Rebs: Kenyon Martin 13
      Asts: Jason Kidd 9
      Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
      Attendance: 19,280
      Referees: Mike Callahan, Bernie Fryer, Eddie Rush
      ABC
      June 13
      8:30 pm
      San Antonio Spurs 93, New Jersey Nets 83
      Scoring by quarter: 19–18, 23–16, 24–23, 27–26
      Pts: Tim Duncan 29
      Rebs: Tim Duncan 17
      Asts: Duncan, Parker 4 each
      Pts: Jason Kidd 29
      Rebs: Kenyon Martin 9
      Asts: Jason Kidd 7
      Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
      Attendance: 19,280
      Referees: Dick Bavetta, Joe Crawford, Bennett Salvatore
      ABC
      June 15
      7:30 pm
      New Jersey Nets 77, San Antonio Spurs 88
      Scoring by quarter: 25–17, 16–21, 22–19, 14–31
      Pts: Jason Kidd 21
      Rebs: Kenyon Martin 10
      Asts: Jason Kidd 7
      Pts: Tim Duncan 21
      Rebs: Tim Duncan 20
      Asts: Tim Duncan 10
      San Antonio won NBA Finals series, 4–2
      SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
      Attendance: 18,797
      Referees: Dan Crawford, Bob Delaney, Ron Garretson

      This was the first NBA playoff meeting between the Nets and the Spurs. As members of the ABA, both teams met in the 1976 ABA Semifinals, where the Nets won 4–3.[15]

      References

      1. "Team Rivalry Finder — Phoenix Suns versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      2. "Team Rivalry Finder — Sacramento Kings versus Utah Jazz (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      3. "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      4. "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Minnesota Timberwolves (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      5. "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      6. "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
      7. "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      8. "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Orlando Magic (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      9. "Team Rivalry Finder — Brooklyn Nets versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      10. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Indiana Pacers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      11. "Team Rivalry Finder — New Orleans Pelicans versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      12. "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      13. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Brooklyn Nets (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      14. "Team Rivalry Finder — Brooklyn Nets versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
      15. "Team Rivalry Finder — Brooklyn Nets versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.

      External links

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