NBA Conference Finals - wikipedia NBA Conference Finals The National Basketball Association Conference Finals are the Eastern and Western championship series of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ), a major professional basketball league in North America. The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America ( BAA ). The NBA adopted its current name at the start of the 1949 -- 50 season when the BAA merged with the National Basketball League ( NBL ). The league currently consists of 30 teams, of which 29 are located in the United States and 1 in Canada. Each team plays 82 games in the regular season. After the regular season, eight teams from each of the league 's two conferences qualify for the playoffs. At the end of the playoffs, the top two teams play each other in the Conference Finals, to determine the Conference Champions from each side, who then proceed to play in the NBA Finals. Contents 1 Overview 2 Key 3 Eastern Division / Conference 3.1 Eastern Division Finals 3.2 Eastern Conference Finals 4 Western Division / Conference 4.1 Division Finals 4.2 Conference Finals 5 Central Division 5.1 Division Finals 6 Results by team 7 See also 8 Notes 9 References 10 External links Overview Further information : NBA playoffs Initially, the BAA teams were aligned into two divisions, the Eastern Division and the Western Division. The Divisional Finals were first played in 1949, the league 's third season. The first two seasons used a playoffs format where Eastern and Western Division teams would face each other before the BAA Finals, hence there were no divisional finals. In the 1949 -- 50 season, the league realigned itself to three divisions, with the addition of the Central Division. However, the arrangement was only used for one season and the league went back into two divisions format in 1951. The two divisions format remained until 1970, when the NBA realigned itself into two conferences with two divisions each, which led to the renaming to Conference Finals. The finals was a best - of - 3 series from 1949 to 1950 to ; a best - of - 5 series from 1951 -- 56, and a best - of - 7 series since 1957. Currently, the Conference Finals are played in a best - of - 7 series like the NBA Playoffs and Finals. The two series are played in late May each year after the first and second rounds of the Playoffs and before the Finals. At the conclusion of the Conference Finals, winners are presented with a silver trophy, caps, and T - shirts, and advance to the NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers have won the most conference titles with 31, which consists of 30 Western Conference titles and one title in the now - defunct Central Division. They have also made 40 appearances in the Conference Finals, more than any other team. The Boston Celtics have won 21 Eastern Conference titles, the second most of any team. The Celtics also hold the record for consecutive titles ; they won 10 consecutive Eastern Division titles from 1957 -- 66. The Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons hold the distinction of being the only teams to have won both East and West titles. Twenty - three of the 30 active franchises have won at least one conference title. The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, and Toronto Raptors have each played in at least one Conference Finals ( Denver has played in three ), but they have each failed to win their respective conference title. Three other franchises, the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans have never appeared in the Conference Finals. Of the 143 conference and divisional champions, 46 were won by the team who had or tied for the best regular season record for that season. Key NBA champion, winner of the NBA Finals Team with the best regular season record, or tie for best Eastern Division / Conference NBA history officially begins with three Basketball Association of America ( BAA ) seasons. In its first two postseason tournaments, BAA Eastern and Western Division champions were matched in a long first - round series while four runners - up played off to determine the other finalist. 1946 -- 1947 : Washington Capitols ( ), lost to the Western champion 1947 -- 1948 : Philadelphia Warriors, defeated the Western champion, lost the BAA Finals Eastern Division Finals Line `` 1949 '' refers to the last BAA Playoffs. In its inaugural 1949 -- 50 season only, the NBA used a three - division arrangement. Syracuse won the Eastern Division championship in the first two rounds of the 1950 NBA Playoffs and advanced to the Finals as the one of three division champions with the best regular season record. Year Champion Coach Result Runner - up Coach 1949 Washington Capitols Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 2 -- 1 New York Knicks Lapchick, Joe Joe Lapchick 1950 Syracuse Nationals Cervi, Al Al Cervi 2 -- 1 New York Knicks Lapchick, Joe Joe Lapchick 1951 New York Knicks Lapchick, Joe Joe Lapchick 3 -- 2 Syracuse Nationals Cervi, Al Al Cervi 1952 New York Knicks Lapchick, Joe Joe Lapchick 3 -- 1 Syracuse Nationals Cervi, Al Al Cervi 1953 New York Knicks Lapchick, Joe Joe Lapchick 3 -- 1 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 1954 Syracuse Nationals Cervi, Al Al Cervi 2 -- 0 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 1955 Syracuse Nationals Cervi, Al Al Cervi 3 -- 1 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 1956 Philadelphia Warriors Senesky, George George Senesky 3 -- 2 Syracuse Nationals Cervi, Al Al Cervi 1957 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 3 -- 0 Syracuse Nationals Seymour, Paul Paul Seymour 1958 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 1 Philadelphia Warriors Senesky, George George Senesky 1959 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 3 Syracuse Nationals Seymour, Paul Paul Seymour 1960 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 2 Philadelphia Warriors McGuire, Frank Frank McGuire 1961 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 1 Syracuse Nationals Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum 1962 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 3 Philadelphia Warriors McGuire, Frank Frank McGuire 1963 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 3 Cincinnati Royals Wolf, Charles Charles Wolf 1964 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 1 Cincinnati Royals McMahon, Jack Jack McMahon 1965 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 3 Philadelphia 76ers Schayes, Dolph Dolph Schayes 1966 Boston Celtics Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach 4 -- 1 Philadelphia 76ers Schayes, Dolph Dolph Schayes 1967 Philadelphia 76ers Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum 4 -- 1 Boston Celtics Russell, Bill Bill Russell 1968 Boston Celtics Russell, Bill Bill Russell 4 -- 3 Philadelphia 76ers Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum 1969 Boston Celtics Russell, Bill Bill Russell 4 -- 2 New York Knicks Holzman, Red Red Holzman 1970 New York Knicks Holzman, Red Red Holzman 4 -- 1 Milwaukee Bucks Costello, Larry Larry Costello Eastern Conference Finals Year Champion Coach Result Runner - up Coach 1971 Baltimore Bullets Shue, Gene Gene Shue 4 -- 3 New York Knicks Holzman, Red Red Holzman 1972 New York Knicks Holzman, Red Red Holzman 4 -- 1 Boston Celtics Heinsohn, Tom Tom Heinsohn 1973 New York Knicks Holzman, Red Red Holzman 4 -- 3 Boston Celtics Heinsohn, Tom Tom Heinsohn Boston Celtics Heinsohn, Tom Tom Heinsohn 4 -- 1 New York Knicks Holzman, Red Red Holzman Washington Bullets Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones 4 -- 2 Boston Celtics Heinsohn, Tom Tom Heinsohn 1976 Boston Celtics Heinsohn, Tom Tom Heinsohn 4 -- 2 Cleveland Cavaliers Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch 1977 Philadelphia 76ers Shue, Gene Gene Shue 4 -- 2 Houston Rockets Nissalke, Tom Tom Nissalke 1978 Washington Bullets Motta, Dick Dick Motta 4 -- 2 Philadelphia 76ers Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham 1979 Washington Bullets Motta, Dick Dick Motta 4 -- 3 San Antonio Spurs Moe, Doug Doug Moe 1980 Philadelphia 76ers Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham 4 -- 1 Boston Celtics Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch 1981 Boston Celtics Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch 4 -- 3 Philadelphia 76ers Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham 1982 Philadelphia 76ers Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham 4 -- 3 Boston Celtics Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch Philadelphia 76ers Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham 4 -- 1 Milwaukee Bucks Nelson, Don Don Nelson 1984 Boston Celtics Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones 4 -- 1 Milwaukee Bucks Nelson, Don Don Nelson 1985 Boston Celtics Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones 4 -- 1 Philadelphia 76ers Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham 1986 Boston Celtics Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones 4 -- 0 Milwaukee Bucks Nelson, Don Don Nelson Boston Celtics Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones 4 -- 3 Detroit Pistons Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly 1988 Detroit Pistons Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly 4 -- 2 Boston Celtics Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones 1989 Detroit Pistons Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly 4 -- 2 Chicago Bulls Collins, Doug Doug Collins 1990 Detroit Pistons Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly 4 -- 3 Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 1991 Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 0 Detroit Pistons Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly 1992 Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 2 Cleveland Cavaliers Wilkens, Lenny Lenny Wilkens 1993 Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 2 New York Knicks Riley, Pat Pat Riley 1994 New York Knicks Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 3 Indiana Pacers Brown, Larry Larry Brown 1995 Orlando Magic Hill, Brian Brian Hill 4 -- 3 Indiana Pacers Brown, Larry Larry Brown Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 0 Orlando Magic Hill, Brian Brian Hill 1997 Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 1 Miami Heat Riley, Pat Pat Riley 1998 Chicago Bulls Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 3 Indiana Pacers Bird, Larry Larry Bird 1999 New York Knicks Van Gundy, Jeff Jeff Van Gundy 4 -- 2 Indiana Pacers Bird, Larry Larry Bird 2000 Indiana Pacers Bird, Larry Larry Bird 4 -- 2 New York Knicks Van Gundy, Jeff Jeff Van Gundy 2001 Philadelphia 76ers Brown, Larry Larry Brown 4 -- 3 Milwaukee Bucks Karl, George George Karl 2002 New Jersey Nets Scott, Byron Byron Scott 4 -- 2 Boston Celtics O'Brien, Jim Jim O'Brien 2003 New Jersey Nets Scott, Byron Byron Scott 4 -- 0 Detroit Pistons Carlisle, Rick Rick Carlisle Detroit Pistons Brown, Larry Larry Brown 4 -- 2 Indiana Pacers Carlisle, Rick Rick Carlisle 2005 Detroit Pistons Brown, Larry Larry Brown 4 -- 3 Miami Heat Van Gundy, Stan Stan Van Gundy 2006 Miami Heat Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 2 Detroit Pistons Saunders, Flip Flip Saunders 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers Brown, Mike Mike Brown 4 -- 2 Detroit Pistons Saunders, Flip Flip Saunders 2008 Boston Celtics Rivers, Doc Doc Rivers 4 -- 2 Detroit Pistons Saunders, Flip Flip Saunders 2009 Orlando Magic Van Gundy, Stan Stan Van Gundy 4 -- 2 Cleveland Cavaliers Brown, Mike Mike Brown Boston Celtics Rivers, Doc Doc Rivers 4 -- 2 Orlando Magic Van Gundy, Stan Stan Van Gundy 2011 Miami Heat Spoelstra, Erik Erik Spoelstra 4 -- 1 Chicago Bulls Thibodeau, Tom Tom Thibodeau 2012 Miami Heat Spoelstra, Erik Erik Spoelstra 4 -- 3 Boston Celtics Rivers, Doc Doc Rivers 2013 Miami Heat Spoelstra, Erik Erik Spoelstra 4 -- 3 Indiana Pacers Vogel, Frank Frank Vogel 2014 Miami Heat Spoelstra, Erik Erik Spoelstra 4 -- 2 Indiana Pacers Vogel, Frank Frank Vogel 2015 Cleveland Cavaliers Blatt, David David Blatt 4 -- 0 Atlanta Hawks Budenholzer, Mike Mike Budenholzer 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers Lue, Tyronn Tyronn Lue 4 -- 2 Toronto Raptors Casey, Dwane Dwane Casey 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers Lue, Tyronn Tyronn Lue 4 -- 1 Boston Celtics Stevens, Brad Brad Stevens 2018 Cleveland Cavaliers Lue, Tyronn Tyronn Lue 4 -- 3 Boston Celtics Stevens, Brad Brad Stevens Western Division / Conference NBA history officially begins with three Basketball Association of America ( BAA ) seasons. In its first two postseason tournaments, BAA Eastern and Western Division champions were matched in a long first - round series while four runners - up played off to determine the other finalist. 1946 -- 1947 : Chicago Stags, defeated the Eastern champion, lost the BAA Finals 1947 -- 1948 : St. Louis Bombers ( ), lost to the Eastern champion Division Finals Line `` 1949 '' refers to the last BAA Playoffs. In its inaugural 1949 -- 50 season only, the NBA used a three - division arrangement. Anderson won the Western Division championship in the first two rounds of the 1950 NBA Playoffs but did not thereby advance to the Finals as every other Western playoff champion has done, and it was defeated by the Central champion in their semifinal series. Year Champion Coach Result Runner - up Coach 1949 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 2 -- 0 Rochester Royals Harrison, Les Les Harrison 1950 Anderson Packers Moore, Doxie Doxie Moore 2 -- 1 Indianapolis Olympians Barker, Cliff Cliff Barker 1951 Rochester Royals Harrison, Les Les Harrison 3 -- 1 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 1952 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 3 -- 1 Rochester Royals Harrison, Les Les Harrison 1953 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 3 -- 2 Fort Wayne Pistons Barker, Cliff Cliff Barker 1954 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 2 -- 1 Rochester Royals Harrison, Les Les Harrison 1955 Fort Wayne Pistons Eckman, Charles Charles Eckman 3 -- 1 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 1956 Fort Wayne Pistons Eckman, Charles Charles Eckman 3 -- 2 St. Louis Hawks Holzman, Red Red Holzman 1957 St. Louis Hawks Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum 3 -- 0 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 1958 St. Louis Hawks Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum 4 -- 1 Detroit Pistons Rocha, Red Red Rocha 1959 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 4 -- 2 St. Louis Hawks Macauley, Ed Ed Macauley 1960 St. Louis Hawks Macauley, Ed Ed Macauley 4 -- 3 Minneapolis Lakers Pollard, Jim Jim Pollard 1961 St. Louis Hawks Seymour, Paul Paul Seymour 4 -- 3 Los Angeles Lakers Schaus, Fred Fred Schaus 1962 Los Angeles Lakers Schaus, Fred Fred Schaus 4 -- 2 Detroit Pistons McGuire, Dick Dick McGuire 1963 Los Angeles Lakers Schaus, Fred Fred Schaus 4 -- 3 St. Louis Hawks Gallatin, Harry Harry Gallatin 1964 San Francisco Warriors Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum 4 -- 3 St. Louis Hawks McGuire, Dick Dick McGuire 1965 Los Angeles Lakers Schaus, Fred Fred Schaus 4 -- 2 Baltimore Bullets Jeannette, Buddy Buddy Jeannette 1966 Los Angeles Lakers Schaus, Fred Fred Schaus 4 -- 3 St. Louis Hawks Guerin, Richie Richie Guerin 1967 San Francisco Warriors Sharman, Bill Bill Sharman 4 -- 2 St. Louis Hawks Guerin, Richie Richie Guerin 1968 Los Angeles Lakers Breda Kolff, Butch Van Butch Van Breda Kolff 4 -- 0 San Francisco Warriors Sharman, Bill Bill Sharman 1969 Los Angeles Lakers Breda Kolff, Butch Van Butch Van Breda Kolff 4 -- 1 Atlanta Hawks Guerin, Richie Richie Guerin 1970 Los Angeles Lakers Mullaney, Joe Joe Mullaney 4 -- 0 Atlanta Hawks Guerin, Richie Richie Guerin Conference Finals Year Champion Coach Result Runner - up Coach 1971 Milwaukee Bucks Costello, Larry Larry Costello 4 -- 1 Los Angeles Lakers Mullaney, Joe Joe Mullaney 1972 Los Angeles Lakers Sharman, Bill Bill Sharman 4 -- 2 Milwaukee Bucks Costello, Larry Larry Costello 1973 Los Angeles Lakers Sharman, Bill Bill Sharman 4 -- 1 Golden State Warriors Attles, Al Al Attles Milwaukee Bucks Costello, Larry Larry Costello 4 -- 0 Chicago Bulls Motta, Dick Dick Motta Golden State Warriors Attles, Al Al Attles 4 -- 3 Chicago Bulls Motta, Dick Dick Motta 1976 Phoenix Suns MacLeod, John John MacLeod 4 -- 3 Golden State Warriors Attles, Al Al Attles 1977 Portland Trail Blazers Ramsay, Jack Jack Ramsay 4 -- 0 Los Angeles Lakers West, Jerry Jerry West 1978 Seattle SuperSonics Wilkens, Lenny Lenny Wilkens 4 -- 2 Denver Nuggets Brown, Larry Larry Brown 1979 Seattle SuperSonics Wilkens, Lenny Lenny Wilkens 4 -- 3 Phoenix Suns MacLeod, John John MacLeod 1980 Los Angeles Lakers Westhead, Paul Paul Westhead 4 -- 1 Seattle SuperSonics Wilkens, Lenny Lenny Wilkens 1981 Houston Rockets Harris, Del Del Harris 4 -- 1 Kansas City Kings Fitzsimmons, Cotton Cotton Fitzsimmons 1982 Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 0 San Antonio Spurs Albeck, Stan Stan Albeck Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 2 San Antonio Spurs Albeck, Stan Stan Albeck 1984 Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 2 Phoenix Suns MacLeod, John John MacLeod 1985 Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 1 Denver Nuggets Moe, Doug Doug Moe 1986 Houston Rockets Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch 4 -- 1 Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 0 Seattle SuperSonics Bickerstaff, Bernie Bernie Bickerstaff 1988 Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 3 Dallas Mavericks MacLeod, John John MacLeod 1989 Los Angeles Lakers Riley, Pat Pat Riley 4 -- 0 Phoenix Suns Fitzsimmons, Cotton Cotton Fitzsimmons 1990 Portland Trail Blazers Adelman, Rick Rick Adelman 4 -- 2 Phoenix Suns Fitzsimmons, Cotton Cotton Fitzsimmons 1991 Los Angeles Lakers Dunleavy, Mike Mike Dunleavy 4 -- 2 Portland Trail Blazers Adelman, Rick Rick Adelman 1992 Portland Trail Blazers Adelman, Rick Rick Adelman 4 -- 2 Utah Jazz Sloan, Jerry Jerry Sloan 1993 Phoenix Suns Westphal, Paul Paul Westphal 4 -- 3 Seattle SuperSonics Karl, George George Karl 1994 Houston Rockets Tomjanovich, Rudy Rudy Tomjanovich 4 -- 1 Utah Jazz Sloan, Jerry Jerry Sloan 1995 Houston Rockets Tomjanovich, Rudy Rudy Tomjanovich 4 -- 2 San Antonio Spurs Hill, Bob Bob Hill Seattle SuperSonics Karl, George George Karl 4 -- 3 Utah Jazz Sloan, Jerry Jerry Sloan 1997 Utah Jazz Sloan, Jerry Jerry Sloan 4 -- 2 Houston Rockets Tomjanovich, Rudy Rudy Tomjanovich 1998 Utah Jazz Sloan, Jerry Jerry Sloan 4 -- 0 Los Angeles Lakers Harris, Del Del Harris 1999 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 4 -- 0 Portland Trail Blazers Dunleavy, Mike Mike Dunleavy 2000 Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 3 Portland Trail Blazers Dunleavy, Mike Mike Dunleavy 2001 Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 0 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 2002 Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 3 Sacramento Kings Adelman, Rick Rick Adelman 2003 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 4 -- 2 Dallas Mavericks Nelson, Don Don Nelson Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 2 Minnesota Timberwolves Saunders, Flip Flip Saunders 2005 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 4 -- 1 Phoenix Suns D'Antoni, Mike Mike D'Antoni 2006 Dallas Mavericks Johnson, Avery Avery Johnson 4 -- 2 Phoenix Suns D'Antoni, Mike Mike D'Antoni 2007 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 4 -- 1 Utah Jazz Sloan, Jerry Jerry Sloan 2008 Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 1 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 2009 Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 2 Denver Nuggets Karl, George George Karl Los Angeles Lakers Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson 4 -- 2 Phoenix Suns Gentry, Alvin Alvin Gentry 2011 Dallas Mavericks Carlisle, Rick Rick Carlisle 4 -- 1 Oklahoma City Thunder Brooks, Scott Scott Brooks 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder Brooks, Scott Scott Brooks 4 -- 2 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 2013 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 4 -- 0 Memphis Grizzlies Hollins, Lionel Lionel Hollins 2014 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 4 -- 2 Oklahoma City Thunder Brooks, Scott Scott Brooks 2015 Golden State Warriors Kerr, Steve Steve Kerr 4 -- 1 Houston Rockets McHale, Kevin Kevin McHale 2016 Golden State Warriors Kerr, Steve Steve Kerr 4 -- 3 Oklahoma City Thunder Donovan, Billy Billy Donovan 2017 Golden State Warriors Kerr, Steve Steve Kerr 4 -- 0 San Antonio Spurs Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich 2018 Golden State Warriors Kerr, Steve Steve Kerr 4 -- 3 Houston Rockets D'Antoni, Mike Mike D'Antoni Central Division Before the 1949 -- 50 season, the BAA merged with the NBL and became the NBA. The number of teams competed increased to 17 and the league realigned itself to three divisions, creating the Central Division. In that season, 4 teams with the best win -- loss records from each division advanced to the divisional playoffs. Then, the winner of the Western and Central Division Finals met in the NBA Semifinals in order to determine who would face the Eastern Division champion Syracuse Nationals in the NBA Finals. The Minneapolis Lakers defeated the Western Division champion Anderson Packers in the best - of - 3 series 2 -- 0 to advance to the Finals. The Lakers eventually won the Finals against the Nationals. It disbanded before the 1950 -- 51 season, after 6 teams folded and the league realigned itself back into two divisions. It returned in 1970 as one of the divisions in the newly formed Eastern Conference. Division Finals Year Champion Coach Result Runner - up Coach 1950 Minneapolis Lakers Kundla, John John Kundla 2 -- 0 Fort Wayne Pistons Mendenhall, Murray Murray Mendenhall Results by team Stats updated through May 28, 2018 Total number of appearances Team East West Total East West Total Total appearances Champions Runner - up Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers 0 30 31 0 9 9 40 Boston Celtics 21 0 21 14 0 14 35 Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers 9 0 9 12 0 12 21 Fort Wayne / Detroit Pistons 5 7 6 10 17 New York Knicks 8 0 8 7 0 7 15 Philadelphia / San Francisco / Golden State Warriors 7 8 6 14 San Antonio Spurs 0 6 6 7 8 14 St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks 0 8 9 13 Chicago Bulls 6 0 6 5 11 Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder 0 0 6 6 10 Phoenix Suns 0 0 7 7 9 Cleveland Cavaliers 5 0 5 0 8 Houston Rockets 0 8 Milwaukee Bucks 0 5 6 8 Indiana Pacers 0 7 0 7 8 Rochester / Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City / Sacramento Kings 0 5 7 8 Miami Heat 5 0 5 0 7 Portland Trail Blazers 0 0 6 Utah Jazz 0 0 6 Baltimore Bullets / Washington Wizards 0 0 5 Dallas Mavericks 0 0 Orlando Magic 0 0 Denver Nuggets 0 0 0 0 New Jersey / Brooklyn 0 0 0 0 Anderson Packers ( folded in 1950 ) 0 0 0 0 Washington Capitols ( folded in 1951 ) 0 0 0 0 Indianapolis Olympians ( folded in 1953 ) 0 0 0 0 Memphis Grizzlies 0 0 0 0 Minnesota Timberwolves 0 0 0 0 Toronto Raptors 0 0 0 0 Charlotte Hornets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Los Angeles Clippers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Orleans Pelicans 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Consecutive appearances 13 Boston Celtics : ( 1957 -- 1969 ) 8 Los Angeles Lakers : ( 1982 -- 1989 ) 6 St. Louis Hawks : ( 1956 -- 1961 ) 6 Los Angeles Lakers : ( 1968 -- 1973 ) 6 New York Knicks : ( 1969 -- 1974 ) 6 Detroit Pistons : ( 2003 -- 2008 ) 5 New York Knicks : ( 1949 -- 1953 ) 5 Minneapolis Lakers : ( 1951 -- 1955 ) 5 Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers : ( 1959 -- 1963 ) 5 Boston Celtics : ( 1984 -- 1988 ) 5 Chicago Bulls : ( 1989 -- 1993 ) 5 Detroit Pistons : ( 1987 -- 1991 ) See also List of NBA champions List of NBA seasons Notes The Minneapolis Lakers beat the Fort Wayne Pistons 2 -- 0 in the 1950 Central Division finals, the only year the NBA had three divisions / conferences. The Anderson Packers, who folded in 1950, are not affiliated with the present - day Washington Wizards, who were known as the Chicago Packers from 1961 to 1962. References Jump up ^ Goldaper, Sam. `` The First Game ''. NBA History : NBA Encyclopedia Playoff Edition. NBA Media Ventures ( NBA.com ). Retrieved August 5, 2010. Jump up ^ `` 1949 -- 50 Season Overview : Powerful Lakers Repeat ''. NBA History : NBA Encyclopedia Playoff Edition. NBA Media Ventures ( NBA.com ). Retrieved August 5, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` 1949 -- 50 NBA Season Summary ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015 - 03 - 03. Select `` Previous Season '' from the heading for 1948 -- 49, and so on. Select `` Finals '' from League Playoffs for the daily schedule of the final series, and so on. ^ Jump up to : `` 1949 -- 50 NBA Season Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Anderson Packers Franchise Index ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 5, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Washington Wizards Franchise Index ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2010. External links NBA History at NBA.com NBA & ABA Playoff Index ( includes BAA ) at Basketball-Reference.com hide NBA playoffs List of playoff series Conference Finals Finals 60 Greatest Playoff Moments Game sevens Streaks Droughts Records Scoring Leaders Assists Leaders 3 Pt Leaders Rebound Leaders WNBA playoffs 1940s 1947 1948 1949 1950s 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960s 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980s 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NBA_Conference_Finals&oldid=845454179 '' Categories : National Basketball Association playoffs Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Español Italiano ქართული Latviešu 日本 語 Português Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 11 June 2018, at 22 : 20. 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Question: how many games are in the eastern conference finals
Answer: 7