The Timberwolves are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. In NBA history, 154 teams have faced a 3-0 deficit and 154 of those teams have lost the series. Only four have come back to force a Game 7.
The Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) won their only NBA championship after taking a 3-0 series lead over the New York Knicks. The Royals had home court advantage in the series, winning the first two games on their home court and then one in New York. The Knicks then won the next three games, two of which were on their home court, before losing Game 7 by four points.
The Nuggets became the first of six eighth-seeds to beat a one-seed in NBA history in 1994 when they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics. They suffered some aftereffects in the semifinals when they lost three straight games to the Jazz by a combined 21 points. They then won Games 4, 5, and 6 before losing Game 7 in Salt Lake City by 10 points.
As is typical, the Trail Blazers didn't enjoy home-court advantage in this series. Led by Bonzi Wells, Rasheed Wallace and an aging Scottie Pippen, Portland won three straight games by a combined 45 points to force a Game 7. They also ran out of steam on the road, losing Game 7 by 12 points.
Last season, the Celtics were the only team to hold home-court advantage after being down 3-0 and forcing a Game 7. The Heat had an incredible run as the No. 8 seed, but held off a Boston onslaught to beat the Celtics by 19 points in Game 7.
Oddly enough, none of these four examples involve a team leading 3-0 in a series, losing a key player to injury, and then the opponent just happens to go all out and force a seventh game.
For the Timberwolves to become just the fifth team to reach a Game 7, they'll need to win Game 4 in Dallas, Game 5 in Minneapolis, Game 6 in Dallas and then hope to win Game 7 in Minneapolis.
