Post by Tel Aviv on May 16, 2016 12:32:50 GMT
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - With the regular season over and the playoffs fast approaching here is a different season review and playoff preview, by the numbers. Giving you some numbers of the past and present of the Ultimate ABCA and then taking a closer look at the playoff match-ups and what the numbers say about them, to give you an idea of whats to come.
1- Istanbul will be making their first appearance in the postseason, after finishing the season with 50 wins.
3- Three of the first round playoff match-ups in the America conference are repeats from last seasons first round. Celtics vs Raptors, Timberwolves Vs Jazz and Knicks Vs Flamengo were all first round match-ups last season as well.
4- Four teams still haven't made the playoffs in Ultimate ABCA. Newcastle Eagles, LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Supersonics are the teams still looking for their first playoff birth.
5- Charles Barkley wins the MVP award for the 5th season in succession, no other player in the history of the league has won the award.
7 - Seven teams finished the season with their best win total in Ultimate ABCA. Istanbul, Brazil, Fubon Braves, Knicks, Lakers, Raptors and Real Madrid all had franchise best win totals.
10- Andrey Toney hit 10 three pointers in Mexico's loss to Cairo, equaling the record for most 3pointers in a single game, held by both Andrew Gaze and Antonello Riva.
21- During the season Maccabi Tel Aviv went on a 21 game win streak before their loss at CSKA. The season longest win streak in league history behind the Breakers who won 25 straight in 2002.
23- Guy Rodgers set a league record for most assists in a game when he dished out 23 assists in Mikawa's 156-148 OT win against the Wildcats, in a game where he also scored 29 points.
65- The number of games the Knicks won during the regular season. 1 Win shy of the record that is held by both the Timberwolves and the Bulls.
123.2- The New Your Knicks averaged 123.2ppg during the regular season this year, that's the highest in league history.
159- Mexico City scored 159 points in their win over the Seattle Supersonics, the most that any team has scored in a game in the league's history. Andrew Toney top scored with 27, the game didn't even go into overtime. Mexico had previously just broke the record when they scored 158 against Barcelona in a game that went to overtime.
Guy Rodgers had a league record 23 assist game.
Closer look: Eurasian Conference
Maccabi Tel Aviv will face off against the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the first round. The two teams split the regular season meetings 1-1, with both teams winning on the road. Historically the two teams have been evenly matched when facing off with both teams winning 6 of the 12 meetings. They have never faced each other in the playoffs before.
Istanbul are making their first appearance in the playoffs and will meet CSKA who will be making their 4th appearance in the postseason. The teams met each other twice during the regular season with both teams winning their home game. CSKA got to the 2nd round last season and the conference finals the year before and hope to get there again.
Beijing Aoshen are making their first playoff appearance since the inaugural season after missing the playoffs the last 3 years. They will face Taipei Fubon Braves who are coming off their best season in the ABCA after finishing with 56 wins. It was Beijing who got the best of the meetings during the regular season as they won 2 of the 3 match-ups, winning the 3rd meeting by 1 point.
Mikawa Aisin Seahorses are back in the playoffs after missing out last season to make their 4th appearance after finishing the season with 56 wins, 1 shy of their best season back in 2002. They will face Real Madrid who are making their 3rd straight appearance in the postseason after finishing with their best regular season win total with 47. Real won both of the games comfortably this season but both teams have made a big roster move since those meetings. Historically the Seahorses hold the edge with a 8-6 record.
Rookie LeBron James has led Istanbul to their first postseason.
Closer look: American Conference
The Raptors are making their 3rd appearance in the postseason but have failed to get past the first round in their last two attempts. Coming off their best regular season finish they face off against the Celtics who have got to atleast the conference finals the past two years. They have faced each other once before in the playoffs, last year with the Celtics coming out on top 4-2. The Celtics also won 2 of the 3 meetings this season.
The reigning champions Minnesota Timberwolves start their defense with a repeat of their first round match-up last year, against the Jazz, a series which they swept. The Jazz have a terrible record historically against the Timberwolves only winning 3 of the 18 meetings, although one of those did come this season when they picked up a 101-93 win in Minnesota.
Brazil Franca BC are making their 2nd appearance in the post season after picking up their first division title and they face the Washington Generals who are also making their 2nd appearance. Neither team has made it past the first round before so both sides will fancy their chances. Throughout league history the teams have been evenly matched, they drew the regular season meeting 1-1 and have a 6-6 record through league history. 5 time MVP Charles Barkley has never made it past the first round, will this be the year?
The Knicks have had a great season winning 65 games to get their first division title and they face off against the team they swept in last years first round, Flamengo. The Knicks won 2 of the 3 regular season match-ups with all the game happening before the Knicks addition of John Stockton. Flamengo bigman Anthony Davis holds the league record for most points in a single game but faces a tough task against this Knicks team.
The arrival of John Stockton has made the Knicks the favourites to win their first title
