The structure that determined the participants and progression of the postseason tournament for the National Basketball Association in 1995 involved teams qualifying based on their regular-season records within their respective conferences. The arrangement placed teams against each other in a series of best-of-seven games, with the winner advancing to the next round until a champion from each conference was determined. These conference champions then competed in the NBA Finals.
This particular postseason framework holds significance for several reasons. It provided a path for teams like the Houston Rockets, who entered as a sixth seed, to ultimately win the championship. The outcome demonstrated that regular season seedings were not always indicative of playoff success and added a compelling narrative to the season. It also created a system of elimination that intensified competition and excitement for fans.