Since first round series in the NBA playoffs were expanded to a best-of-seven format in 2003, there have been 24 teams who recorded sweeps of their opponent and advanced to the second round. This past Saturday evening, the New Orleans Pelicans became the 25th and they’ll go down as the lone squad to accomplish the feat during this postseason.
If you’re curious to learn what history says about teams that get off to 4-0 postseason starts and particularly whether this bodes well for the Pelicans chances to at least wind up in the Western Conference Finals, the results are mixed.