Every 2001-02 NBA race charted day by day: East, Atlantic, Central, West, Midwest and Pacific. Final standings, from a season that ran October 30, 2001 to April 17, 2002.
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East standings, 2001-02
Team
W
L
Pct
GB
L10
Streak
New Jersey Nets (NJN)
52
30
.634
-
6-4
W1
Detroit Pistons (DET)
50
32
.610
2
7-3
W3
Boston Celtics (BOS)
49
33
.598
3
8-2
W4
Charlotte Hornets (CHH)
44
38
.537
8
6-4
W2
Orlando Magic (ORL)
44
38
.537
8
5-5
L1
Philadelphia 76ers (PHI)
43
39
.524
9
5-5
L2
Indiana Pacers (IND)
42
40
.512
10
6-4
W5
Toronto Raptors (TOR)
42
40
.512
10
8-2
W1
Milwaukee Bucks (MIL)
41
41
.500
11
3-7
L1
Washington Wizards (WAS)
37
45
.451
15
3-7
W1
Miami Heat (MIA)
36
46
.439
16
4-6
W1
Atlanta Hawks (ATL)
33
49
.402
19
4-6
L2
New York Knicks (NYK)
30
52
.366
22
3-7
L2
Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE)
29
53
.354
23
4-6
L4
Chicago Bulls (CHI)
21
61
.256
31
4-6
L1
The dashed line on the chart is the pace of the final playoff spot.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 8 times.
The New Jersey Nets trailed by as many as 2 games on November 25, 2001.
The New Jersey Nets took first place for good on December 27, 2001.
The Toronto Raptors won 9 games in a row from March 22, 2002 to April 9, 2002, the longest run of the race.
The Milwaukee Bucks led by 2 games as late as November 25, 2001.
The New Jersey Nets went 11-4 from January 21, 2002 to February 26, 2002, turning a lead of half a game into a lead of 6 games.
The top two ended the day within one game of each other on 65 of the 162 days played.
Seven teams held first place.
The New Jersey Nets spent 130 of the season's 170 charted days in first place.