Since the NBA playoffs expanded to a 16-team format in 1984, the league has never seen a 7th-seed or lower reach the Finals and capture a championship. But this unprecedented journey to a title shouldn't be too challenging for the Brooklyn Nets -- after all, they weren't constructed to finish so low in the East standings or suffer a premature postseason exit.
After a disappointing regular season chock-full of injuries and unusual drama, the Nets resembled a title contender on Tuesday, securing the 7th-seed with a 115-108 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East's play-in opener. Kevin Durant recorded a double-double of 25 points and 11 assists, and their leading scorer was Kyrie Irving, who added 34 on 12-of-15 shooting. Offense aside, Durant stepped up on the defensive end, and it didn't go unnoticed.
"The Nets were digging in, defensively. I thought the leadership and approach of Durant -- especially on defense -- was like, he went to a whole other level," Nets radio analyst Tim Capstraw explained to After Hours with Amy Lawrence on Wednesday. "He rejected a couple shots, but just his overall energy. When he's like that -- I just think he understands the difference, that it's playoff time -- not only does he do it himself.
"When your leader is playing at that level, it got everyone defending at a very high level, and for a good stretch of the evening. That's what carried the Nets to their victory. And that's what's going to be the key for them, going forward. Can they defend at a high enough level. I thought tonight was a step in the right direction, that's for sure."
Brooklyn has earned an opening-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, which starts on Sunday afternoon. According to FiveThirtyEight projections, the Nets currently have a 22-percent chance to reach the conference semis and a 9-percent chance to make the East finals. Back in October, before the regular season began, they had a 14-percent chance (7th-best in league) to reach the NBA Finals. That figure is now 2-percent.
The entire conversation between Capstraw and Lawrence can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow After Hours With Amy Lawrence on Twitter @ALawRadio and @AfterHoursCBS, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.