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The 1997 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1996-97 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Utah Jazz 4 games to 2. This was the Bulls' second straight title, and fifth overall (They completed the 3-peat by beating Utah again in 1998). Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for the fifth time. This was the first Western Conference title for the Jazz in their 23-year history. The Heat's run to the Eastern Conference Finals marked the farthest they had reached in the playoffs up to that point; they did not return until 2005, but won the NBA Finals in 2006. The Minnesota Timberwolves made their playoff debut after failing to win more than 30 games in their first 7 seasons. It was also the first of 7 straight years in which they made the playoffs only to lose in the first round. This was the first (and so far, only) time since the ABA–NBA merger that the 4 former ABA teams (Spurs, Nuggets, Pacers, and Nets) missed the playoffs, even more remarkable considering the rarity with which San Antonio has missed the playoffs at ''all'' (only 4 times since the merger). All four 1988/89 expansion teams (Minnesota, Miami, Orlando and Charlotte) made the playoffs for the first time. This would happen again in 2001. The two #8 seeds in this tournament (the Bullets and Clippers) broke long playoff droughts (Bullets eight years, Clippers only just three) with their appearances in the 1997 Playoffs. (The Bullets' last playoff appearance was in 1988; the Clippers in 1993). Unfortunately for both teams, it would be a long time before they made the playoffs again; the renamed Wizards made their return in 2005; the Clippers in 2006. The Bullets qualified by defeating the Cavs in a regular season finale that saw both teams fighting for the #8 seed. Game 4 of the Bulls–Hawks series was the last game ever played at The Omni. The Hawks' home playoff games for 1998 and 1999 were played at the Georgia Dome while the Omni was demolished to make way for Philips Arena, which would open in late 1999. The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena hosted its final NBA playoff game in Game 3 of the Clippers–Jazz series. When the Clippers returned to the playoffs in 2006, they had moved to the Staples Center, their home since the 1999–2000 season. As of 2014, the Sports Arena remains active, presenting high school basketball championships, concerts, and conventions. Game 3 of the Bulls–Bullets series was the last playoff game ever played at the Capital Centre (named USAir Arena at the time). They moved into a new arena the next season. In addition, the Bullets changed their team name to the Wizards on May 15th, making it the last time the team was officially named the "Bullets". ==Bracket== 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「1997 NBA Playoffs」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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