OKC Thunder: Data shows five-game playoff series is better for upsets

A couple of days ago, we ran a story on potential NBA playoff modifications. If the playoffs are condensed, perhaps to shorter first-round series, would it benefit a team like the Thunder, which potentially could be a first-round underdog? You can read that story here.

It’s a good question. When the NBA season was suspended, the Thunder was in fifth place in the Western Conference, a game behind the fourth-place Jazz, so a 4-5 OKC-Utah matchup would have no real underdog. That’s a virtual tossup series.

Even if the Thunder was the sixth seed, it wouldn’t likely be a big underdog if the opponent was Denver. OKC is 2-1/2 games behind the Nuggets. But if the Thunder should fall to seventh, it…