2021 NBA Playoffs

The 2021 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the conclusion of the 2020-2021 NBA Regular Season.
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== Overview ==
Going into the Playoffs, the clear eastern favourite were the 1st-seated Pittsburgh 09ers who finished with their best regular season record since the 1967-1968 season. The 2nd-seated New York Niners entered the playoffs with their best record since the Jackson Carter Era. The Tyson Rudy-led Detroit Mariners entered as the 3rd seat, with Tyson Rudy making his 14th career playoffs. With the underdog 4th-seated Miami Sharks (who had made their first playoff appearance since 2010) and the 5th-seated Michigan Bulldogs (who had made their first playoff appearance since 2007) facing off in the first round, this matchup was arguably one of the most interesting and franchise-defining series. The 6th-seated Ohio Springboks were led by the All-Star forward Nicolas Uzonz and were looking to take down the exhausted Mariners team. After underachievement in the regular season, the Chicago Hammerheads (who were previously the 2nd-seat) fell to the 7th-seat, but after beating their matchup New York Niners in the regular season series, the Hammerheads were looking to cause a major upset in the East. After a unfortunate injury to superstar Shawn Marshall that sidelined him for the first half of the season, Marshall and the 8th-seated Washington Thunderbolts were looking to make a statement in the first round.
In the west, the favourite was not so clear. The 1st-seated Houston Hornets led by superstar center Harlow D'Angelo had the best record in the west by 1 game and were the first seat since the 2015-2016 season. The 2nd-seated Seattle Scorpions, led by NBA great Jean Ross and up-and-comer Jordan Wright, were the reigning champs and were looking to retake their crown. The 3rd-seated San Francisco Dodgers had the same record as the Scorpions, but were looked as the favorites coming out of the west. The 4th-seated Portland Springs, led by the superstar duo of Mitchell Jackson and Nicola Brandt, were facing off against the 5th-seated Denver Dragons, who were led by the Most Improved Player Markelle Fields. The 6th-seated Los Angeles Lightning were led by All-Star Dwayne Harris and a strong young core. The 7th-seated Arizona Heat were led by star Tommy Green and were looked at as surprise entrants, with Green missing a decent portion of the season. Finally, the Houston Renegades finished the season on a 20-5 run and snatched the 8th seat from the injury-riddled Pirates and Cruisers.
== Team Standings ==
Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference 	Western Conference
Seat 	Team 	W/L 	Seat 	Team 	W/L
1 	Pittsburgh 09ers* 	64-18 	1 	Houston Hornets* 	53-29
2 	New York Niners 	60-22 	2 	Seattle Scorpions* 	52-30
3 	Detroit Mariners* 	48-34 	3 	San Francisco Dodgers*	52-30
4 	Miami Sharks* 	48-34 	4 	Portland Springs 	50-32
5 	Michigan Bulldogs 	47-35 	5 	Denver Dragons 	47-35
6 	Ohio Springboks 	44-38 	6 	Los Angeles Lightning 	44-38
7 	Chicago Hammerheads 	44-38 	7 	Arizona Heat 	44-38
8 	Washington Thunderbolts	42-40 	8 	Houston Renegades 	42-40
== Bracket ==
* Division winner
Bold Series winner
Italic Team with home-court advantage