During the 1989-1990 season, the NBA League, after expanding for two consecutive years, saw the number of teams jump from the long-standing 23 to 27.
The Heat, Hornets, Timberwolves, and Magic, the four teams located in these cities, are all geographically skewed toward the East.
Especially the Hornets, Heat, and Magic, situated on the East Coast, while the Timberwolves are somewhat better positioned in the central region.
It was obviously inappropriate to divide all these teams into the Eastern Conference based solely on their geographical locations.
Consequently, the League decided to have the four teams rotate among the Eastern and Western Conference's four divisions.
During the 88-89 season, the Heat, situated in the southeastern corner of America, were placed in the Midwestern division of the Western Conference
They played four games against the Trail Blazers, didn't win a single one, and were beaten soundly each time.
