How Are NBA Teams Split into Divisions and Conferences?
How Are NBA Teams Split into Divisions and Conferences? Every NBA fan knows that the NBA league is divided into two conferences, Eastern and Western. However, a lesser-known and less discussed topic is the one regarding divisions. Within the NBA, there are 6 distinct and unique divisions, each with its own strengths and characteristics.
In this article, we are going to discuss what the 6 NBA divisions are, which teams make up each division, each divisions’ likelihood of winning a championship trophy, and why there are exactly six divisions within the NBA.
While it is important to be able to draw distinctions between the two conferences, having a deeper understanding of each individual division will help you to better understand the scheduling of NBA games and how the league has been shaped and formed throughout the years.
In an effort to create a more compelling and equitable league, the NBA created divisions as a subclass within the conference system. As there are two conferences, the Eastern and Western, consisting of 15 franchise teams, those 15 teams are further divided into equal divisions of 5 teams apiece.
To be eligible for a playoff berth, an NBA team must have one of the top eight records within their conference. Only the top eight teams within each conference are eligible for a playoff spot, with the seeding determining initial matchups.
However, with the inclusion of divisions within the two conferences, the top-seeded teams within specific divisions and the team with the overall better record are eligible for preferential seeding in the event of ties and the same number of wins and losses for the season.
Anyway, as is the nature of the NBA, divisions can quickly become dominant powerhouses and just as quickly lose much of their former glory. With the availability of draft picks, the ability to trade players, and recruit new coaches and staff, one division may carry a conference for many years before losing its luster and steam.
Brand and Structure
National Basketball Association (NBA) is the professional and premium basketball league in not just the united states of America but all around the world. The league is the ultimate carnival of basketball that attracts eyeballs from all around the globe, regardless of nationality, region, or time zone. The immaculate success enjoyed by the league has numerous reasons, which include top-quality performances, exceptionally well-planned plays, moments of brilliance, and amazing support from all segments of society.
The league was started in the year 1946, and since then, it hasn’t looked back. Currently, the league is well established with multiple teams. The league has become such an influential brand that the latest Forbes estimations have revealed that even the franchises are multi-billion dollar brands. Three of the thirty NBA franchises are worth more than five and half-billion dollars. These are New York Knicks(worth 5.8 billion USD), Golden State Warriors (5.6 billion USD), and Los Angeles Lakers (5.5 Billion USD).
The brand value of the league has continued to rise as sponsorships kicked in, more and more people got involved with the league, and the competition reached global audiences in less-prominent areas of the world. However, one factor and aspect that often goes unnoticed when considering the factors behind the unbelievable success of the NBA is the division of teams into two conferences and multiple divisions. This allows the teams a chance to compete against their opponents on multiple occasions, while it also allows enough room and time for the players as well as the franchises to identify their mistakes, improve upon them, plan against their opposition, and add to the colors and aura of NBA. The regular season runs for an extended period between October to April, during which each team plays 82 matches. Following that, playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Conference Semifinals, and Conference Finals are played.
The two winners of the Conference finals lock horns against each other for the ultimate prize, the all-important NBA final, with the winner taking home the coveted NBA Trophy.
How Are NBA Teams Split into Divisions and Conferences?
Conferences
NBA comprises two conferences. These are:
- Eastern Conference
- Western Conference
Each Conference contains 15 teams, with each team playing a total of 82 games in their regular season. These include home as well as away games, as these teams play against the teams from their own Conference, as well as the teams from the other Conference.
Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference contains a total of 15 teams that are further divided into three divisions of five teams each. These divisions are:
- Atlantic Division
- Central Division
- Southeast Division
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division is, historically, one of the strongest divisions within the Eastern Conference. This division includes the Philadelphia 76ers, the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Knicks. With multiple stars adorning different teams in this division, the Atlantic division is a pretty competitive one, much like the other divisions of the NBA. This highly competitive nature of the game is what makes NBA pretty special. Two of these teams have won the NBA Championship in the last 13 years. With the top-valued team New York Knicks in this division, the games do offer a lot from a commercial perspective. Moreover, the Brooklyn Nets also add to this division’s competition and fire, while Toronto just won a championship two years ago. Similarly, no one can rule out the joint-most successful team in the NBA, the Boston Celtics, who have won a total of 17 championships, with the last championship victory coming in 2008.
Central Division
The Central Division has lost much of its former glory, though they are beginning to rebuild their reputation behind their recent champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the Central Division, consisting of the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, and the Milwaukee Bucks was once a more dominant division.
With NBA greats having played in the division, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Reggie Miller, and Isaiah Thomas, to name just a few, the division has a number of championship trophies and legendary playoff series. While the Milwaukee Bucks have recently enjoyed great success, the division contains the famous Chicago Bulls side that dominated the NBA for most of the 1990s. The bulls completed two hattricks of championships during the 1990s by first winning three consecutive NBA championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Following that, they again emerged victorious in 1996, 1997, and 1998. All six championships were characterized by the 90s Bulls squad that included the famous duo of Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippin. It’s unfortunate that bulls haven’t been able to replicate that level of success, glory, and domination since then. The bucks emerged victorious in 2021, but the Cavaliers have also been fairly competitive in recent years. They made it to the four consecutive NBA finals in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, as they won their only championship in the year 2016.
Southeast Division
The Southeast Division is one of the most fun divisions to watch in the entire league, however, it is not a particularly strong or powerful division. The Atlanta Hawks, the Orlando Magic, the Miami Heat, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Washington Wizards are included in the southeast division. Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks add to the spice in this division. Heats last won the NBA in 2013 while making it to the finals in the year 2020. Another interesting feature of this division is that Charlotte Hornets are owned by the great Michael Jordan, who continues to cherish his love for the sport but in a different capacity now. Let’s see if his team can replicate the magic created by him in the world of the NBA.
With the details about the Eastern Conference being shared, let’s take a look at the eastern conference teams and divisions.
Western Conference
Just like the Eastern Conference, the Western Conference also comprises 15 Teams, similarly divided into three divisions. These divisions are:
- Northwest Division
- Pacific Division
- Southwest Division
Northwest Division
In the Northwest Division, the following teams add to the colors of the NBA. These are the Utah Jazz, the Denver Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. As it stands, the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets are stronger and more competitive than the others. Similarly, Portland trailblazers have had their own fair share of success. Only the Blazers have won the NBA championship out of this division and that was a long time ago, in 1977. Anyway, one cannot rule out that the Players such as Nikola Jokic and Damian Lillard add to the fight and impact of this division. This division has given three MVP players in the last decade. It is regarded as one of the more competitive divisions out of the league’s six divisions.
Pacific Division
In our humble opinion, the Pacific Division is the strongest division in the league in the 2021-22 NBA season. The division majority wants to witness. With the big names of the league featuring from different sides, the division is a true delight for all the NBA fans as well as the broadcasters. This division features the LeBron-led Lakers and Curry’s warriors. They are further joined by the last year’s finalists Phoenix Suns.
The teams included in the division are The Los Angeles Clippers, The Los Angeles Lakers, The Golden State Warriors, The Sacramento Kings, and The Phoenix Suns. With big names from these franchises competing against each other, the division games promise to be highly competitive while also allowing fans a chance to see various face-offs between star players from the division.
Southwest Division
The Southwest Division was one of the strongest divisions in the NBA. Unlike the Pacific Division, the Southwest Division does not offer as much competition and challenge as the rest of the divisions. Yet, there are reasons to look forward to matches in this division. Teams included in this division are the Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Luka Doncic from Dallas Mavericks appears set to be the next big thing as he has impressed one and all, even at the young age of 22. And, as stated above, division leadership can change quickly and rapidly, particularly with a strong draft pick or trade.
Format and the Number of Matches
The format and division of matches in the NBA may seem very challenging to comprehend to a layman. But for those who follow the game, love its spirit, feel the excitement of the NBA, and follow the competition till the very last. It is very much easier to understand, absorb, and follow.
The format is devised in such a manner that each team plays against every other team during their regular NBA season, and top teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the NBA Playoffs.
In a regular season, each team plays 82 matches, including 41 home games and 41 away games. Following that, the Playoff round starts, which features the road to being the conference champions. The conference champions from each Conference then compete against each other for the NBA Championship.
NBA Finals and Details
The division of 82 regular-season games is described as follows.
Each team plays four matches during the regular season against all four teams of its own division. In total, there are 16 games played against each team of its division. Each team competes against 6 other teams from its Conference four times. This accounts for another 24 matches in the regular season. Till now, each team has competed against 10 other teams from its division. This leaves each team with four more teams to compete against in its own division. Three matches are played against each of these four matches. This marks the end of matches against teams from your own Conference.
This leads to matches against teams from other conferences. Now, each team plays all the other teams from the other Conference twice. With these 30 games against 15 teams from the other Conference, the regular season concludes. Till now, each team has played against all the other teams in a total of 82 regular-season games.
Following Table shows the numeric representation of the NBA Regular Season Matches:
| Opposition Teams | Number of Matches |
| 4 Matches against Each of the 4 other teams in the Division | 4 x 4 = 16 |
| 4 Matches each against Six different teams from other divisions but the same Conference. | 4 x 6 = 24 |
| 3 Matches against the remaining four teams in the Conference | 3 x 4 = 12 |
| 2 Matches against each of the 15 teams from the other Conference | 15 x 2 = 30 |
| Total number of Matches in the Regular Season | 16 + 24 + 12 + 30 = 82 Matches |
This marks the beginning of the exciting playoffs stage of the NBA. Based on the results in these 82 games, teams are ranked in their own conferences.
The playoffs feature Conference Quarter-Finals, semi-finals, and Finals. The first seed team in the Conference plays against the 8th seed team in the same Conference. Similarly, the second seed plays the 7th seed, the 3rd seed plays against the 6th seed team, while the 4th seed team competes against the 5th seed team in the Conference.
All these playoff competitions between these sides follow a best of 7 formats, with the team winning 4 matches first and advancing to the next round. Teams ranked higher in the seeding have the home-court advantage.
Once the conference quarters, semis, and finals are done, the world braces itself for the all-important NBA Finals.
Just like the rest of the playoff matches, the NBA finals also follow a best of 7 series with the difference that each team is now playing for the coveted championship. The two conference conquerors prepare to challenge their opponents as the whole world waits for the ultimate NBA Champion to be crowned.
Most Successful Teams in NBA
Los Angeles Lakers
So Far, Los Angeles Lakers have been the most successful NBA team as they have registered and smashed many NBA records on their way to attaining glory. They have won 17 NBA championships, 31 Conference titles, and 23 Division titles which make them the most successful and strongest NBA team on the circuit. The glorious Los Angeles Lakers have had as many as 26 Hall-of-Famers in their ranks.
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics enjoyed huge success, especially during the 60s, as they won eight consecutive NBA championships during the 1960s. In total, they have appeared in 21 NBA finals and won 17 out of them, with the most recent victory coming in 2008. They have won a total of 22 division titles during their NBA journey so far. One wouldn’t be surprised if they add to the list and titles in the coming years.
Golden State Warriors
Though the recent limelight belongs to the star Stephen Curry who is now the all-time leading 3-point scorer in the history of the NBA, yet Golden State Warriors have their own name and brand value, as they have won a total of 6 NBA championships, out of which the most recent three were in 2016, 2017, and 2018. They have won 11 conferences and 7 division titles so far.
Chicago Bulls
The Michael Jordan-inspired Chicago Bulls won 6 Conference titles during the 1990s, thus making it to 6 NBA finals and winning all of them. In this era, dominated by Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippin, and Dennis Rodman, the Bulls won 9 division titles as well.
That marks the end of coverage of the NBA Divisions, format, and teams. There is this ongoing discussion of having more teams in additional divisions in the NBA, but it only remains to be seen if any of those plans go ahead.
How Are NBA Teams Split into Divisions and Conferences?
If you enjoyed this article about how NBA teams are split into Divisions and Conferences, check out our blog for more great NBA content!
