@Jim_Eichenhofer
OAKLAND – In the 31 years since the NBA expanded its postseason to a 16-team field, only five eighth-seeded squads have ever pulled off an upset of a No. 1 seed. That translates to the “Davids” posting a series success rate of 5-57 against the “Goliaths,” a meager winning percentage of just 8.1. But for those who think an 8-1 upset is incredibly unlikely, you may have the most difficulty selling that notion to the New Orleans Pelicans and Golden State Warriors.
Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday was the leading scorer for the team that pulled off the most recent 8-1 stunner, a 2012 series in which Holiday’s Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the Chicago Bulls.