Funny the things you remember about memorable moments in history.
For instance, when the 1995 Houston Rockets became the lowest-seeded team to win an NBA title, their rings had nine diamonds encrusted into the body of the two Larry O’Brien trophies for their back-to-back championships.
The significance? The sixth-seeded Rockets won nine road games on their way to the promised land – more than half of the 15 wins (at that time) that were required to win it all.
They remain the lowest-seeded champion in league history. And the ultimate road warriors.
The Mavericks can join their elite club this year.
They are trying to become just the second team in history seeded outside the top four in their conference to win the title.
The Mavericks finished fifth in the Western Conference and started their three playoff series on the road to the Finals. They own a sparkling 7-2 record on the road.
Jason Kidd said it best during the Mavericks’ march through the West.
“You can’t be scared of winning on the road,” he said. “And you can’t be scared of close games.
“Sometimes when you’re young, it’s easier to be on the road, maybe. It’s been that way throughout the season. A lot of teams have won on the road. It’s hard to protect home.”
Asked what part of the Mavericks’ DNA has allowed them to become better on the road than they are at American Airlines Center, Kidd said he’s seen it developing for a long time.
“It goes back to year one (2021-22),” he said. “I think we’ve had some big road wins. Game 7 in Phoenix (in the 2022 West semis), when Luka again showed out.”
It happened again in Game 5 against Minnesota on Thursday, when the Mavericks finished off the Timberwolves behind 36 points each from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
When he was basking in the glow of victory afterward, Dončić had this to say about closing out a series on the road:
“Way sweeter. You know the crowd’s going to be there and when you score, it gets a little quieter.”
The Mavericks would love to have that feeling in the Finals, which will start in Boston on Thursday and will require the Mavericks to win at least one more road game if they hope to bring home the championship.
The Mavericks actually have a lot more in common with those 1995 Rockets than just a greatness on the road. They made midseason moves to strengthen their team. Houston acquired Clyde Drexler, who was in the autumn of his career but still a formidable weapon, in exchange for Otis Thorpe and other assets.
The Rockets began a slow climb when Drexler arrived, although it wasn’t until they gutted out a tough do-or-die victory in Game 5 at Utah in the best-of-five first round that they galvanized as a unit. Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon both topped 30 points in that game, combining for 64.
The Mavericks have become an unstoppable force behind their own superstar duo, Dončić and Irving, who destroyed Minnesota in the clincher on Thursday.
Maybe they are destined to join the club that currently has only one member, teams to win the NBA title seeded fifth or lower.
X: @ESefko
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