Eastern Conference first round ==== (1)
Boston Celtics vs. (8)
Chicago Bulls ==== This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first two meetings. ==== (2)
Atlanta Hawks vs. (7)
Indiana Pacers ==== This was the first playoff meeting between the Hawks and the Pacers. ==== (3)
Detroit Pistons vs. (6)
Washington Bullets ==== This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Bullets. ==== (4)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. (5)
Philadelphia 76ers ==== •
Jack Sikma gets his shot blocked, jumps back up, catches the ball in mid-air and line-drives it in with 2 seconds left for the game-winner. •
Julius Erving's final NBA game. This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning four of the first six meetings.
Western Conference first round ==== (1)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8)
Denver Nuggets ==== •
Magic Johnson hits an 88-foot shot at the buzzer to end the first half. This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings. ==== (2)
Dallas Mavericks vs. (7)
Seattle SuperSonics ==== • Seattle becomes first 7th seeded team to eliminate 2nd seeded team since Playoffs moved to 16-team format in 1984. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Mavericks winning the first meeting. ==== (3)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. (6)
Houston Rockets ==== This was the first playoff meeting between the Rockets and the Trail Blazers. ==== (4)
Utah Jazz vs. (5)
Golden State Warriors ==== This was the first playoff meeting between the Warriors and the Jazz. == Conference Semifinals ==