The best-of-seven games format has been used in the NBA Playoffs 274 times in league history. Following are some notes on best-of-seven play, through NBA Playoffs 2000:

GETTING A JUMP: It's important to win Game 1 of the series. The team that wins the opening game has gone on to win 218 of 274 (.796) best-of-seven series.

HOW LONG?: It's hard to predict how long a series will last. Of the 274 best-of-seven series played in NBA history, 78 have gone the limit, with 34 four-game sweeps.

HOME SWEET HOME: The homecourt advantage is significant in best-of-seven series, with teams with the advantage having won 206 of 274 (.752) series.

COMEBACK KINGS: No team in NBA history has ever bounced back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. Six teams (Boston, 1968; Los Angeles, '70; Washington, '79; Boston, '81; Houston, '95; Miami, 1997) have rebounded from a 3-1 deficit and seven teams (Boston, '69; Los Angeles, '69; Baltimore, '71; Portland, '77; Chicago, '93; Houston, '94; Houston, '95) to win a series.