THE TOP NBA FINALS MOMENTS Basketball's Most Legendary Games

There’s just so much to love about basketball. Simplistic, yet immensely complicated (you get what I mean), there’s hardly any other sport that gives us more exciting moments. Buzzer-beaters, comebacks, steals, blocks, miracle shots; they can all be found in the realm of the NBA. While there are too many to include, here is ManScore’s top moments in the history of the NBA Finals…so far.



The Flu Game (1997)
There was no doubt before Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals that Michael Jordan would go down in history as one of the best to ever play the game. He had it all: the speed, the accuracy, the leadership. Game 5 only added to his legend and his performance is one of the most heroic that the NBA has ever seen. Suffering from flu-like symptoms, Jordan opted to play, putting up 38 points and leading the Bulls to a 3-2 lead over the Jazz. After the game, Jordan said it was “Probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.” The GOAT.



The Chasedown (2016)
No matter how you feel about him, Lebron James is a beast on the court, and his chasedown block in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals is purely epic. Yes, we all know that the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead, but coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win the Finals is no easy task (in fact, it had never been done before). James’ block on Iguodala capped the comeback and put himself and this play in the NBA history books.



The Last Shot (1998)
It is only fitting that the greatest player to ever play the game would go out in Hollywood fashion. Down 1 with about 20 seconds left, Jordan took the game into his own hands. Neil Funk of the Bulls’ radio network made the call, Hornacek screens across. Malone to the post. Malone...stripped by Michael, to the floor, stolen by MJ! Michael the steal! 16 seconds left, Bulls down one...Michael against Russell, 12 seconds...11...10. Jordan, Jordan, a drive, hangs...fires...SCORES! HE SCORES! The Bulls lead 87-86 with five and two-tenths left, and now they're one stop away! Oh, my goodness...oh, my goodness!” EPIC.



The Miracle Three (2013)
Ray Allen has made more 3-point shots than any other NBA player, but none were bigger than his game-tying bucket in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Facing elimination, Lebron took a shot from behind the arc with about 10 seconds remaining. He missed and Chris Bosh found the ball under the rim and flipped it to Allen who was fading back to the corner (his signature spot). The shot that ensued will forever go on the list of great clutch shots in Finals history, and catapulted the Cavs to an overtime win and eventually the title in Game 7.  



The Comeback (2008)
Everyone loves a good comeback and the Celtics’ in Game 4 of the 2008 Finals is truly inspiring. Down by as many as 24 points, Boston went on a 21-3 run to end the third quarter, fighting their way to the lead and the win in the fourth. It was the largest deficit overcome in a finals game since 1971, and helped lead Boston to its 17th franchise championship.

Achievements in this Article