The 2020 NBA playoffs have been nothing short of unpredictable. Due to the Corona Virus, the NBA was forced to conclude their season in isolation. The NBA decided to move the end of its league play to a said "bubble" in Orlando. In the bubble, players are continuously tested for the virus, encouraged to wear masks at all times, and, most importantly, are not allowed out of the bubble.
One thing, though, that makes all the difference in the bubble is the lack of fans. Obviously bringing fans into the bubble would completely defeat the goal of keeping NBA players safe from the virus. In a normal season, NBA teams fight for the best record during the regular season so that when it comes time for the playoffs, they have the rambunctious energy of their home fans to electrify their play-style. That being said, this is not a regular NBA season. Due to there being no fans, upsets occur where teams that are generally considered worse are beating teams generally considered better.
The prime example of these upsets come from the Miami Heat. The Heat were ranked the 5th best team in the Eastern Conference of the NBA this season having a record of 44 wins to 29 loses. In the first round of the playoffs they were matched up against the 4th seeded Indiana Pacers. Playoff series are played in a best 4 out of 7 format where if a team wins 4 out of the potential 7 games, they advance to the next round. The Heat went on to defeat the Pacers 4 games to 0. While it is possible that the Heat were just the better team, there is also an argument to be held that without the majority of the games being played in Indiana with the Pacers fans, the playing field was leveled, allowing the Heat to runaway with the series. Next the Heat were given the tall task of the Milwaukee Bucks. Now the series against the Bucks is not yet finished, but the path that the Heat are on is remarkable. The Bucks were widely considered the best team in the NBA this season. They finished with a record of 56 wins and 17 loses, by far the best in the whole association. Currently the Heat are winning the series against the Bucks 3 games to 0. Never in NBA history has a team come back to win a series from a 3 games to 0 deficit in the playoffs.
As these playoffs continue, there will most likely be more upsets. More teams than just the Miami Heat are stealing games from teams that are considered better than them. The Heat and the NBA season keep rolling on, but the question still remains - will the Heat sweep everyone in their way?
Some great insight here. The Heat really have been playing so much better in the bubble, and I think they are true finalist contenders. Even though the Bucks just barely won Game 4 in OT, I'm confident that the Heat will secure the next win!
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