2022 NBA Playoffs

The 2022 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the conclusion of the 2021-2022 NBA Regular Season.
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== Overview ==
The 2022 NBA Playoffs were viewed as one of the most even postseasons in recent history. 
In the East, the 1st-seated New York Niners finished with their best record since 1998-1999, with stars Damien Strawberry and Kajen Copperfield playing at an extremely high level throughout the year. The 2nd-seated Chicago Hammerheads had an incredible bounce-back season. The Miami Sharks finished with a league-best defense for the second season in a row and held the 3rd-seat. After winning a championship last season, the Pittsburgh 09ers, led by superstar Christian Davis, fell to the 4th-seat in the East, somewhat due to minor injuries to Davis throughout the season. The 5th-seated Michigan Bulldogs finished with a 45-37 record during a season where their star Brian Akande missed a portion of the season due to injury. The 6th-seated Ohio Springboks were led by the heroics of Nicolas Uzonz after an amazing season. The 7th-seated Philadelphia Miners were led by 2nd-year player John Burke and were looking to make a rattle in the first round. Finally, the 8th-seated Atlanta Meteors finished the season on a 14-4 run to steal the 8th seat.
In the west, the 1st-seated Portland Springs were led by the MVP-level play of Mitchell Jackson, bringing himself and the team to an elite level, alongside All-Star Nicola Brandt. The 2nd-seated San Francisco Dodgers faced great adversity, with the elite George West being out for a majority of the season due to injury. Despite this, superstar Steve Gasse carried the offensive load and, with incredible defense from Eric Blackston, the Dodgers finished as the 2nd seat, declared an amazing feat by many analysts. The Seattle Scorpions, led by Jean Ross, finished as the 3rd seat, with their third straight 50-win season, a franchise record. The Denver Dragons, led by elite guard Markelle Fields, finished as the 4th seat after improvements from multiple players on the team. The 5th-seated Los Angeles Lightning finished the season with their best spot since being rebranded as the 'Lightning' in 1998-1999. The 6th-seated Houston Hornets, led by center Harlow D'Angelo, finished with their worst record and spot since the 2005-2006 season. The New Mexico Pirates finished the season as the 7th seat, led by Sakam Blake, who averaged a league-leading 37.1 PPG, the most since Jackson Carter's 38.6 PPG in the 1993-1994 season. Lastly, the 8th-seated Nevada Mavericks had a stellar season, with a win turnaround of 28 wins, the most in franchise history. 
== Team Standings ==
Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference 	Western Conference 	Western Conference 	Western Conference
Seat 	Team 	W/L 	Seat 	Team 	W/L
1 	New York Niners* 	59-23 	1 	Portland Springs* 	60-22
2 	Chicago Hammerheads* 	58-24 	2 	San Francisco Dodgers* 	58-24
3 	Miami Sharks* 	55-27 	3 	Seattle Scorpions 	51-31
4 	Pittsburgh 09ers 	53-29 	4 	Denver Dragons 	48-34
5 	Michigan Bulldogs 	45-37 	5 	Los Angeles Lightning 	47-35
6 	Ohio Springboks 	44-38 	6 	Houston Hornets* 	47-35
7 	Philadelphia Miners 	44-38 	7 	New Mexico Pirates 	45-37
8 	Atlanta Meteors 	44-38 	8 	Nevada Mavericks 	45-37
* Indicates division winner	* Indicates division winner	* Indicates division winner	* Indicates division winner	* Indicates division winner	* Indicates division winner
== Bracket ==
* Division winner
Bold Series winner
Italic Team with home-court advantage
== Games ==
=== 1st Round ===
==== Eastern Conference ====
===== (1) New York Niners vs (8) Atlanta Meteors =====
===== (2) Chicago Hammerheads vs (7) Philadelphia Miners =====
===== (3) Miami Sharks vs (6) Ohio Springboks =====
===== (4) Pittsburgh 09ers vs (5) Michigan Bulldogs =====
==== Western Conference ====
===== (1) Portland Springs vs (8) Nevada Mavericks =====
===== (2) San Francisco Dodgers vs (7) New Mexico Pirates =====
===== (3) Seattle Scorpions vs (6) Houston Hornets =====
===== (4) Denver Dragons vs (5) Los Angeles Lightning =====
=== Finals ===
===== (E3) Miami Sharks vs (W1) Portland Springs =====