NBA teams down 3-0: How many teams have come back to force a Game 6, Game 7?

By | April 28, 2022

In the NBA’s 75-year history, 146 teams have faced a 3-0 series deficit in a seven-game postseason series.

Of those teams, 14 have won at least two games while three have won three straight games to force a decisive Game 7. None have come back to win the series.

MORE: Will Raptors create history and overturn a 3-0 series deficit?

The Raptors, who became the 14th team with a Game 5 win over the 76ers in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, are eyeing history as they look to become the fourth NBA team to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0.

In Game 7, anything could happen.

As Toronto continues its pursuit of history, look back at the instances in which an NBA Playoff series has been extended to six or seven games after a team gets out to a 3-0 series advantage.

Teams to force Game 6 after facing a 3-0 deficit in NBA Playoffs

Year Round Series Result
2022 Eastern Conference First Round 76ers-Raptors TBD
2015 Eastern Conference First Round Bulls defeat Bucks, 4-2
2013 Western Conference First Round Thunder defeat Rockets, 4-2
2013 Eastern Conference First Round Knicks defeat Celtics, 4-2
2010 Eastern Conference Finals Celtics defeat Magic, 4-2
2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals Pistons defeat Bulls, 4-2
2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals Pacers defeat 76ers, 4-2
1996 NBA Finals Bulls defeat SuperSonics, 4-2
1962 Western Division Finals Lakers defeat Pistons, 4-2
1949 NBA Finals Lakers defeat Capitols, 4-2
1947 Semifinals Stags defeat Capitols, 4-2

How many NBA teams facing a 3-0 deficit have forced Game 7?

Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers, 2003

Behind the play of Dirk Nowitzki, the No. 3 seed Mavericks got out to a 3-0 series lead over the No. 6 Trail Blazers in the opening round of the 2003 NBA Playoffs.

Portland, which lost Games 1 through 3 by an average margin of 8.7 points, responded with blowout wins in Games 4 and 6 flanking a four-point win in Game 5.

With Game 7 back in Dallas, Nowitzki’s 31 points and 11 rebounds delivered a 107-95 win for the Mavs.

Jazz vs. Nuggets, 1994

The Nuggets were in the business of making history in 1994.

After becoming the first No. 8 seed to advance past the first round, the Nuggets made the No. 5 Jazz sweat in the West Semis. The Jazz won the first three games but Game 3 was decided by one bucket.

In Game 4, Denver won by one point to stave off elimination before winning Game 5 by eight points on the road and Game 6 by three points at home.

For Game 7, the series returned to Salt Lake City, where 31 points, 14 rebounds and six assists from Karl Malone propelled the Jazz to a 10-point win.

Royals vs. Knicks, 1951

In the 1951 NBA Finals, the Rochester Royals took the first three games from their in-state opponent.

Facing elimination, the Knicks earned a six-point win in Game 4, a three-point win in Game 5 and a seven-point win in Game 6. 

With the series back in Rochester for Game 7, Arnie “Stilts” Risen finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Royals to a 79-75 win and the 1951 NBA title.

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