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Sixteen teams representing the NBA Eastern and Western Conferences made it into the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Every team fancied their chances of clinching the famed trophy, but a few completely lost their heads and were utterly disappointing.
Things were a little different as per qualification as the NBA introduced the play-in tournament to give the ninth and 10th-placed teams a chance to feature in the postseason. The decision was made in a bid to give teams an opportunity because of the shortened regular season.
Although every team that makes it to the NBA playoffs are considered heavyweights, some have performed way below expectations. It is safe to say that the favorites heading into the competition have all been eliminated. As things stand, all the players that are still in the competition have never won a championship.
Candidly, injuries have played a significant role in the outcome of the 2021 NBA playoffs so far. Regardless, proper roster management is part of the job.
With the NBA Finals fast approaching, let's take a look at the three teams that disappointed the most in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference after going on a 49-23 run in the regular season. They looked the most dangerous in the East because of the presence of All-Star Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Although only Embiid is a threat on offense, both players are masterful in defending their basket.
Things started smoothly for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA playoffs as they dominated the Washington Wizards in the first round. The Wizards were given the run-around as Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal could not contend with the Sixers' dominance.
The Philadelphia 76ers were hindered from what could have been a sweep due to Joel Embiid's knee injury in Game 4. Things went sideways for the Sixers after Embiid had to exit the match after 11 minutes. The Wizards rallied to steal the victory in Game 4, but that marked their only win in the 2021 NBA playoffs as they were sent packing in Game 5.
The Sixers had a mental breakdown in the second round against the Atlanta Hawks, which resulted in a 4-3 series loss. It was a neck-and-neck tie as the Sixers could not stretch their lead. A couple of poor performances led to their eventual exit from the 2021 NBA playoffs.
Simmons' failure to convert from the free-throw line, the 76ers suffering a 26-point comeback loss and Embiid going quiet in crunch time. These are some of the reasons why the Philadelphia 76ers were knocked out of the NBA playoffs.
With the Brooklyn Nets knocked out a day before, the 76ers were favorites to emerge from the East. However, they failed to take care of business against a dogged Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.
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#2 LA Lakers
The LA Lakers are the defending champions but failed to show the same intensity in the 2021 NBA playoffs. They were pegged as finalists at the very least because they were led by LeBron James and had most of the players that were instrumental in the 2020 victory.
Although two of their key players were struggling with injuries, the supporting cast looked lost without them. Anthony Davis returned from an Achilles injury towards the end of the season and had a few games to get his groove back. It was the same for LeBron as he was not 100% fit before getting back on the court to help his team in the NBA playoffs.
The Lakers had to go through Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament to reach the 2021 NBA playoffs. They secured the seventh seed with a narrow 103-100 victory over the Warriors.
The young Phoenix Suns teams showed respect to the defending champions but were intentional with their actions on the court. The Suns found a way to break down the number one team in defensive rating, and did so comfortably.
A Game 3 victory for the Lakers resulted in a 2-1 series lead. But the Suns turned things around to win Games 4, 5, and 6 to eliminate the champions from the playoffs. James exited the NBA playoffs in the first round for the first time in his 15-year postseason run.
#1 Miami Heat
The NBA community was stunned by the Miami Heat's early exit in the 2021 NBA playoffs. It is safe to say it was the manner with which they exited that was surprising.
The Miami Heat squared up against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and were blown away. It was the most disappointing performance of the 2021 NBA playoffs, more so because many expected it to be one of the fiercest battles of the first round.
In the Orlando Bubble, the Heat sent home the Bucks in the semi-finals, and a revenge outing was expected. But it was surprising that the Jimmy Butler-led Heat could not manage one win in the series.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks swept the Heat in the first round, which counts as the only sweep so far in the 2021 NBA playoffs. For a team that held the Lakers to a Game 6 in the 2020 NBA Finals, it was a humiliating way to bow out of the 2021 NBA playoffs.
