Top 5 Greatest NBA Finals Moments
Published:The NBA Finals-- the pinnacle of basketball glory, where legends are born and big shots live on forever! Check out our Top 5 Greatest NBA Finals Moments for five of the most indelible Finals memories!
1) 1998, Game 6 - Jordan Over Byron Russell
- Utah Jazz were up 3 with less than a minute in Game 6
- Jordan cuts the lead to 1 with a driving layup
- Next play, Jordan steals the ball from Karl Malone
- Last play, Jordan buries a 20-ft. jumper over Russell to win the title
- The most clutch finish of all-time!
2) 1987, Game 4 - Magic “Junior Sky Hook”
- Lakers bounced back from a 16-point halftime deficit
- Larry Bird put the Celtics back up, then--
- Magic nailed a running hook shot over Kevin McHale and Robert Parish with 2 seconds left
- Larry Bird had a last second look to win, but just missed
- Lakers would go on to win the Championship
3) 1970, Game 7 - Willis Reed Injury Game
- Reed had been hurt with torn thigh muscle and was in danger of not playing in Game 7
- Reed emerged from the tunnel at MSG suited up and the crowd went wild
- He then went on to make the first two baskets of the game
- After that, Clyde Frazier dominated with 36 points and 19 assists
- Knicks won the first of their two NBA titles
4) 1981, Game 1 - Bird's Mid-Air Contortionist Shot
- Larry Bird makes a miraculous shot off of his own rebound...
- Where he switches hands mid-air and scoops the ball in with his left hand
- "The greatest play I've ever seen." - Red Auerbach
- Celtics went on to win the game 98-95
- Bird finished with 18 points, 21 rebounds, and 9 assists
5) 1980, Game 4 - Dr. J Behind the Backboard Layup
- Fourth quarter of Game 4
- Trailing 1-2 in the series
- Dr. J drove baseline, elevated, reached back behind the backboard with the ball and made the circus shot on the opposite side of the rim
- Sixers ended up winning the game 105-102
- Magic called it "the greatest move I've ever seen in a basketball game.”
