Nuggets become first NBA champion in this format to not face a top-3 seed

In terms of opponent seeding, Denver's run to this NBA championship was unlike any other since the league went to the 16-team playoff format 40 seasons ago. The Nuggets' road to this title saw them beat No. 8 Minnesota in the Western Conference quarterfinals, No. 4 Phoenix in the West semifinals, the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the West finals and then the East's No. 8 seed in Miami in the NBA Finals. The Nuggets — who were the No. 1 seed in the West — are the first champion in the 16-team format that didn't have to play a No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 seed on their way to the title.