1997 NBA Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Chicago Bulls finished on top with 29 of 29 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Chicago Bulls 29 (100.0%)

Play with the NBA Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

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Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

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How NBA Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

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Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+29
Houston Rockets
in a single day (1997-05-23)
Longest Reign
21
Utah Jazz
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
185
Utah Jazz
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−29
Houston Rockets
lost in one day (1997-05-27)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Utah Jazz

Delta Center

45 days led peak 29 +185 taken

Houston Rockets

The Summit

29 days led peak 29 +86 taken

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

16 days led peak 29 +93 taken

Los Angeles Lakers

Great Western Forum

16 days led peak 29 +132 taken

Seattle SuperSonics

Climate Pledge Arena

12 days led peak 21 +23 taken

Sacramento Kings

ARCO Arena

10 days led peak 21 +44 taken

Cleveland Cavaliers

Gund Arena

8 days led peak 21 +69 taken

Dallas Mavericks

Reunion Arena

8 days led peak 21 +72 taken

Vancouver Grizzlies

Rogers Arena

7 days led peak 21 +42 taken

Phoenix Suns

America West Arena

6 days led peak 29 +79 taken

Detroit Pistons

The Palace of Auburn Hills

6 days led peak 21 +22 taken

Portland Trail Blazers

Rose Garden

5 days led peak 29 +90 taken

Philadelphia 76ers

CoreStates Center

5 days led peak 21 +21 taken

Toronto Raptors

Rogers Centre

5 days led peak 21 +42 taken

Milwaukee Bucks

Bradley Center

5 days led peak 11 +12 taken

Chicago Bulls

United Center

4 days led peak 29 +81 taken

Golden State Warriors

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

4 days led peak 21 +32 taken

Indiana Pacers

Market Square Arena

4 days led peak 21 +31 taken

Denver Nuggets

McNichols Sports Arena

3 days led peak 21 +21 taken

Atlanta Hawks

Alexander Memorial Coliseum

2 days led peak 21 +23 taken

San Antonio Spurs

Alamodome

1 day led peak 21 +35 taken

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Coliseum

1 day led peak 11 +27 taken

Miami Heat

Miami Arena

0 days led peak 8 +11 taken

Minnesota Timberwolves

Target Center

0 days led peak 8 +9 taken

New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden

0 days led peak 8 +18 taken

Orlando Magic

Orlando Arena

0 days led peak 8 +8 taken

Washington Bullets

US Airways Arena

0 days led peak 4 +5 taken

Boston Celtics

TD Garden

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

New Jersey Nets

Continental Airlines Arena

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

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