High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association`s 2002-03 NBA season. This postseason was notable for being the first time all series were conducted in a best-of-7 format. It was also the only time in playoff history that no team was swept in a first-round series. From 1984 to 2002, first-round series were best-of-5 series. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets four games to two in the Finals.