The Wildcats had a 28-2 record during the regular season, and entered the postseason as the top-ranked team in the country.

Previously winning the cup 8 times, Beşiktaş entered as the favored team.

Tampa Bay entered the game as the last undefeated team in the league with a franchise-best start of 5-0-2.

The Eagles entered the game as the third-best 3-point-shooting team in the conference, but they did not make a 3-pointer in the final eight minutes.

Tulsa entered as the quicker team and Carolina the bigger one.

Dallas entered as the faster, quicker, deeper and favorite team.

Therefore, the league first decided to allow Bethlehem Steel to enter as the fourth team.

Their 48-34 record was the team's worst since 1955-56, and they entered the playoffs as only the fourth-seeded team in the East.

The Jets entered the game as the least-penalized team in the league with 43 penalties for 352 yards.

In this version the champions enter as the first team.