After witnessing the Indiana Pacers’ numerous comeback victories at the 2025 playoffs, it’s clear that the NBA has entered a new era. No lead is totally safe anymore; teams have been overcoming bigger deficits than ever before.
With this new trend emerging, we’re taking a look at how comebacks impact the NBA betting lines at Ozoon Sportsbook (to learn more see our NBA Playoffs Guide). We’ll outline some legendary NBA playoff comebacks, including:
- Cleveland Cavaliers Finals Win After a 3-1 Deficit
- Golden State Warriors Conference Win After a 3-1 Deficit
These legacy moments go into the history books as proof that the impossible can happen with the right mind frame and a little luck.
Why Are NBA Playoff Comebacks So Memorable?
When the stakes are high, emotions are high, and that’s when anything can happen. Teams and star players can reach new levels and overcome deficits that would crush a weaker team. Everyone wants to see their playoff accomplishments go down in basketball history, but only the truly improbable and incredible runs will be etched in franchise lore.
Pulling off a legacy-defining comeback is no easy task. Players need deep resilience to prevent them from “shutting down” mentally. If they can accomplish that, they could jump on a momentum shift. And there’s no better time to do that than playoff season.
Playoff betting takes this possibility into account, especially with live betting. You may want to fade a losing team in a regular game during the regular season, but the playoff structure gives those teams a chance to make serious comebacks. Learn how to spot these betting opportunities in our NBA Playoffs Guide.
What Are the Greatest NBA Playoff Comebacks in History?
We’ve got two of the greatest NBA in-game playoff comebacks and series comebacks to share with basketball fans.
In-Game Comebacks
- LA Clippers @ Golden State 2019
As far as in-game playoff comebacks go, the 2019 first round matchup between the eight-seeded LA Clippers and the dominant Golden State Warriors rules them all. Up by 31 points, the Warriors imploded in the third quarter, allowing the Clippers to rally a comeback and tie the series.
- Boston Celtics vs New Jersey Nets 2002
Game 3 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals is part of Boston Celtics lore. Down 26 points against the Nets, the Celtics rallied an incredible comeback with Paul Pierce at the charge. The Celtics pummeled the Nets 41-16 in the fourth quarter, with Paul scoring 19 of those points.
Series Comebacks
- Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 Finals
Only one team has overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals, and it was the 2015-16 Cavaliers with Lebron James and Kyrie Irving. Together, they overcame the mighty 73-9 Golden State Warriors with three straight wins.
- Golden State Warriors 2016 Western Conference Finals
Before that epic 2016 Finals with the Cavaliers vs Warriors, the Warriors had a scare in their Conference Finals series against the Russell Westbrook-led Oklahoma City Thunder, who were back after missing the playoffs in 2015. OKC nearly eliminated the Warriors when they were up 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals series.
How Do NBA Playoff Comebacks Happen?
NBA playoff comebacks happen when the losing team gets a break and has the talent needed to push ahead.
Does Momentum Play a Bigger Role in the Playoffs?
Momentum is amplified in the NBA playoffs. The stakes are high and players can experience incredible scoring streaks. There’s no doubt that fans are more frenzied too and contribute to these momentous environments.
How Important Are Star Players in Comebacks?
When a team is down and out, having a solid leader on the roster can help turn things around. Even more so when that leader is the most skilled player on the team. Keep this in mind for betting on NBA player props.
Do Coaching Adjustments Make the Difference?
Coaches can see things that players can’t, and while that awareness isn’t always significant in the regular season, it can make a big difference in the playoffs. Whether it’s tactical changes, or defensive switches, coaches are constantly trying to adapt and exploit to get their team an upper hand.
What Is the Biggest Comeback in NBA Playoff History?
The biggest series comeback in NBA playoff history is:
- The 2016 NBA Finals Series Between 73-9 Golden State and 57-25 Cleveland
After winning the championship the year prior, the Warriors were back to the Finals, albeit taxed from the long regular season and challenging Western Conference series.
That being said, the Warriors took the series lead 3-1, at which point Lebron James and Kyrie Irving put forth a Herculean effort. James scored 109 points in the final three games, while Irving contributed 90. Game 7 finished with James’ “The Block”—a legendary block that saved the game for Cleveland in the final two minutes.
This comeback from a 3-1 deficit interrupted the Warriors’ dynasty and caused them to recruit Kevin Durant. Keep that in mind when choosing your NBA Finals Predictions.
How Do Comebacks Impact NBA Playoff Betting?
As we’ve discussed, NBA playoffs is a different beast than regular season basketball. Comebacks are more common because teams take on a “do or die” mentality, which can be hard to predict.
Gamelines:
- After an underdog pulls an upset, there are often impacts to the gamelines for the next game in the series. The spread could be smaller, and if the underdog gets to play a home game next, they could become a small favourite.
Live Betting:
- Live betting is especially impacted by comebacks because the value of the losing team will be significant before the comeback is mounted. While it is hard to know when a losing team will flip, we do know that it’s always possible in playoff basketball. Bettors who enjoy more volatile markets will thrive with live options. To learn how to navigate these betting scenarios, see our NBA Betting Guide.
H2: Why Do NBA Playoff Comebacks Matter for Championship Runs? (100–120 words)
When a team flips from losing to winning in the playoffs, they can carry that momentum to the next game in the series—especially when the next game is at home. The newfound confidence lets them reach a new level in their game and click as a unit.
On the flip side, the opponent could start to suffer mental setbacks from the unexpected loss and start to fumble plays. If that dynamic carries on long enough, it could turn into an epic championship run like it did for the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers. These comeback teams typically aren’t the favourites in the NBA Finals Predictions.
What Should Fans Watch During a Potential Comeback?
Now that you know how comebacks happen and impact the betting lines, you should be in a good position to spot them brewing. Being able to identify a turning point before others will give you an edge in live betting, as seen in our NBA Playoffs Guide. Keep an eye out for these three signs:
- Shooting Runs
- Defensive Stops
- Bench Impact: don’tunderestimate the value of a strong bench unit. These players come in fresh and inject new energy into the game
Explosive, high-volume shooting runs fuel a successful comeback. Think about the Indiana Pacers’ wild comeback games at the 2025 playoffs; the Pacers focused on efficient scoring when it mattered most.
An increase in defensive stops is another indicator. Not only do these block the opposing offence from scoring, they also create opportunities for the comeback team to score. Lastly, don’t underestimate the value of a strong bench unit. These players come in fresh and inject new energy into the game, while naturally shifting the rhythm.
NBA Comebacks FAQ
The biggest comeback in a single playoff game was in 2019 when the Clippers were down 31 points against the Golden State Warriors; the Clippers rallied a monumental comeback and beat Golden State 135-131.
Only one team (the Cleveland Cavaliers) have come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. If you include all stages of the playoffs, though, 13 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit. In 2020, the Nuggets recovered from 3-1 deficits in both the Western Conference First Round and semifinals.
NBA teams have come back from 20+ deficits in the NBA playoffs 26 times, so don’t count them out.
Lebron James is arguably the player who has led the most comeback wins in his career, including both series and in-game comebacks. You can’t beat King James.
Yes, comebacks are more common in the playoffs than regular season because of the heightened pressure.