The Cleveland Cavaliers face long odds of a comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals. In fact, teams trailing a series 3-1 have only rallied to win eight times out of 190 attempts. Still, if the Cavs are looking for inspiration, they can take a look at just how those eight longshots pulled off their remarkable feats.

1968 BOSTON CELTICS

Opponent/Round: Philadelphia 76ers (East Finals)

How they did it: +18 Game 5 (road), +8 Game 6 (home), +4 Game 7 (road)

Notable: Boston's Sam Jones tallied 37 points in Game 5 while the 76ers missed 19 of 22 field-goal attempts during a key stretch of the fourth quarter. In Game 6, Bill Russell grabbed 31 rebounds for the Celtics and Wilt Chamberlain shot 6-for-21 from the field and 8-for-23 from the free-throw line. In the deciding game, Russell had a free throw, blocked shot and rebound in the closing seconds to help secure the victory. Chamberlain attempted just two field goals in the second half.

1970 LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Opponent/Round: Phoenix Suns (West Semifinals)

How they did it: +17 Game 5 (home), +11 Game 6 (road), +35 Game 7 (home)

Notable: The Lakers, led by two of the all-time greats, rebounded and easily won the final three games of the series. Jerry West had 36 points and 18 assists in Game 5, 35 points in Game 6, and 15 assists in Game 7. Wilt Chamberlain, meanwhile, tallied 36 points in Game 5, a triple-double in Game 6, and 30 points and 27 rebounds in Game 7. Los Angeles used a big fourth quarter in Game 6 to break free from a game that was tied after three, the only shot the Suns had.

1979 WASHINGTON BULLETS

Opponent/Round: San Antonio Spurs (East Finals)

How they did it: +4 Game 5 (home), +8 Game 6 (road), +2 Game 7 (home)

Notable: Often-maligned Elvin Hayes got the comeback started with 24 points and 22 rebounds in Game 5 and 25 and 14 in Game 6. In Game 7, Bob Dandridge scored 37 points, including a corner jumper with 8 seconds remaining that snapped a 105-all tie and provided the winning points. In a flurry to end the game, Hayes blocked a layup attempt by James Silas, and Dandridge poked the rebound free from Larry Kenon. The ball was loose as time ran out.

1981 BOSTON CELTICS

Opponent/Round: Philadelphia 76ers (East Finals)

How they did it: +2 Game 5 (home), +2 Game 6 (road), +1 Game 7 (home)

Notable: The Celtics won the final three games by a total of five points and needed comebacks in each game to capture one of the most competitive and physical series in history. In Game 5, Boston rallied from six down in the final 90 seconds by closing with an 8-0 run. In Game 6, which featured 64 fouls, Boston overcame a 17-point deficit. And in the deciding game, it was a 9-1 run over the final 5:23. Larry Bird's two free throws tied it and his bank shot with one minute left proved to be the winner.

1995 HOUSTON ROCKETS

Opponent/Round: Phoenix Suns (West Semifinals)

How they did it: +6 Game 5 (road), +13 Game 6 (home), +1 Game 7 (road)

Notable: Mario Elie's corner 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left in Game 7 snapped a 110-all tie and enabled the Rockets to hold on, despite 46 points from the Suns' Kevin Johnson. In Game 5, Hakeem Olajuwon forced overtime with a shot in the lane with 8 seconds left. In Game 6, five consecutive 3-pointers -- two apiece from Elie and Sam Cassell -- sparked a deciding 18-5 fourth-quarter run. Olajuwon tallied 90 points in the three games.

1997 MIAMI HEAT

Opponent/Round: New York Knicks (East Semifinals)

How they did it: +15 Game 5 (home), +5 Game 6 (road), +11 Game 7 (home)

Notable: An altercation between New York's Charlie Ward and Miami's P.J. Brown in the closing minutes of Game 5 changed the course of the series. Four additional Knicks, already out of the game because the outcome was decided, were hit with one-game suspensions for leaving the bench to join the fracas. Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston and Ward sat out Game 6, and the Heat rallied in the fourth quarter. John Starks and Larry Johnson missed Game 7 and Miami rolled behind Tim Hardaway's six 3-pointers and 38 points.

2003 DETROIT PISTONS

Opponent/Round: Orlando Magic (East First Round)
How they did it: +31 Game 5 (home), +15 Game 6 (road), +15 Game 7 (home)

Notable: Chauncey Billups made five 3-pointers in the first quarter of Game 6 on his way to 40 points as the Pistons went on the road and routed Orlando in the Magic's best opportunity to close out the series. Top-seeded Detroit won the final three games of the series by an average of 20.3 points. Billups poured in 37 more in Game 7 and the Pistons avoided becoming just the third No. 1 seed (at the time) to lose a first-round series to a No. 8.

2006 PHOENIX SUNS

Opponent/Round: Los Angeles Lakers (West First Round)

How they did it: +17 Game 5 (home), +8 Game 6 (road), +31 Game 7 (home)

Notable: Tim Thomas forced overtime in Game 6 with a game-tying 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds left. The play, which resulted from an offensive rebound by Shawn Marion, helped the Suns overcome a 50-point effort from Kobe Bryant. In Game 7, the Suns shot 61 percent and led comfortably throughout while Bryant was widely criticized for following a 23-point first half with just three field-goal attempts in the second.

Bill Woten is the author of "Game 7: Inside the NBA's Ultimate Showdown," and a contributor to Pro Basketball News. Visit his Web site at nbagame7.com.