Every 1990-91 NBA race charted day by day: East, Atlantic, Central, West, Midwest and Pacific. Final standings, from a season that ran November 2, 1990 to April 21, 1991.
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East standings, 1990-91
Team
W
L
Pct
GB
L10
Streak
Chicago Bulls (CHI)
61
21
.744
-
7-3
W4
Boston Celtics (BOS)
56
26
.683
5
4-6
L4
Detroit Pistons (DET)
50
32
.610
11
5-5
L1
Milwaukee Bucks (MIL)
48
34
.585
13
5-5
W1
Philadelphia 76ers (PHL)
44
38
.537
17
4-6
L2
Atlanta Hawks (ATL)
43
39
.524
18
5-5
W1
Indiana Pacers (IND)
41
41
.500
20
5-5
L1
New York Knicks (NYK)
39
43
.476
22
4-6
W1
Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE)
33
49
.402
28
8-2
W4
Washington Bullets (WAS)
30
52
.366
31
3-7
L3
Charlotte Hornets (CHH)
26
56
.317
35
4-6
L2
New Jersey Nets (NJN)
26
56
.317
35
3-7
L1
Miami Heat (MIA)
24
58
.293
37
2-8
L1
The dashed line on the chart is the pace of the final playoff spot.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 7 times.
The Chicago Bulls trailed by as many as 5.5 games on December 20, 1990.
The Chicago Bulls took first place for good on March 3, 1991.
The Chicago Bulls won 11 games in a row from February 4, 1991 to March 1, 1991, the longest run of the race.
The Boston Celtics led by 4.5 games as late as January 11, 1991.
The Chicago Bulls went 17-3 from February 17, 1991 to March 28, 1991, turning a deficit of 3 games into a lead of 2.5 games.
The top two ended the day within one game of each other on 66 of the 159 days played.
Nine teams held first place.
The Chicago Bulls spent 54 of the season's 171 charted days in first place.