Michael Jordan then playing for Chicago Bulls drowning Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo/Sports Illustrated
Basketball rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles in 1959 remains so fresh
What followed was the birth of the best NBA matches ever in history
The Eastern and Western conference supremacy bore several other memorable games
Since the advent of the longest-running basketball rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles in 1959, what followed was the birth of the best NBA matches ever in history.
The Eastern and Western conference supremacy bore several other memorable games that are hard to forget. Many rivals from the regular season have already met in the playoffs, and this always informs the postseason. These matches combine breathtaking athleticism, brilliant strategic play, and breathtaking moments, uniting NBA fans around the world in celebration of the greatest of the league.
WHAT WAS MICHAEL JORDAN’S BEST GAME OF ALL TIME?
While deep into it, Michael Jordan’s stint with the Chicago Bulls in 1990 makes it the best NBA matches ever. Jordan made a career-high 69 points in a four-point victory over Cleveland Cavaliers, along with 18 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and one block. He made 23 of 37 field goals and 2 of 6 long-range shots making this the best NBA game in history.
Here are some of the other top basketball matches of all time.
Cleveland Cavalier vs Golden State Warrior. Photo/The Daily Beast
Warriors vs Cavaliers Game 7, 2016 (93-89)
Everyone agrees that “Game 7” is the best two words in basketball. Cleveland won its first NBA championship in 52 years thanks to LeBron and the Cavaliers, who made the only comeback from a 3-1 deficit in NBA Finals history.
LeBron was dominant throughout the series, but he finished Game 7 with a triple-double of 27 points. The Cavaliers defeated all odds in one of the greatest NBA Finals games ever after Kyrie Irving sank the game-winning dagger three-pointer in Steph Curry’s face. They won 93-89.
Heat Vs Spurs – 2013, Game 6 (103-100)
Surprisingly, it was former Celtic Ray Allen who preserved LeBron James’ legacy in this contest by sinking a corner three after Chris Bosh snatched a LeBron miss and swung it to Allen in the right corner. After the game entered overtime, LeBron’s 32-point triple-double helped the Heat prevail. In Game 7, Miami ultimately won their second straight championship.
Chicago Bulls Vs Utah Jazz – 1997 Game 5 (90 – 88)
If Michael Jordan hadn’t repeatedly put the nail in the Utah Jazz’s coffin, they could have won one or two chips. Despite having a terrible flu, Michael Jordan managed to score 38 points, giving the Bulls the crucial 3-2 lead they required after dropping the previous two games.
The aptly named match “Flu Game” is not only among the greatest individual NBA Finals performances ever but also one of the best NBA matches.
Game 6, 1998 – Game 6, 1998 (87 – 86)
Jordan played his final game with the Bulls in dramatic fashion. He drove to his right, halted abruptly, and hit a mid-range jumper with 5.2 seconds left on the clock to give Chicago its sixth title in eight years and a second threepeat. Although he may have forced Bryon Russell away, Jordan was the more courageous and history has a way o of rewarding the brave.
Philadelphia 76ers Vs Lakers – Game 1, 2001 (107 – 101)
Philadelphia 76ers Vs Lakers. Photo/Marca
The Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, were the overwhelming favourites going into this series. And they ultimately prevailed to capture their second straight championship on their route to a three-peat.
However, Allen Iverson, the league MVP, was the focus of Game 1. That evening, “The Answer” exploded for 48 points in LA and had all the answers. By halftime, the Sixers had established a lead, but the Lakers steadily chipped away at it to force OT. Then Tyronn Lue fell, and the infamous step over him gave the 76ers a four-point lead and clinched the victory.
Lakers Vs Celtics – Game 4, 1987 (107 – 106)
The one-point score alone paints a full picture of the best NBA matches ever. The 1980s have a special place in NBA history as the Celtics and Lakers faced off three times in the Finals. The NBA Finals matchup between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in 1987 was their third and final encounter and the matchup was eagerly anticipated because both clubs had already claimed three championships.
The Celtics replied by winning Game 3 after the Lakers won the first two games at home. The game had a lot of drama and ultimately gave the Lakers the advantage in the series. With 12 seconds remaining, Bird made a 3-pointer to give the Celtics a two-point lead. Then, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar missed both of his free throw attempts, setting up one of Magic Johnson’s most famous plays: a shot that won the game.
Teresa is a journalist with years of experience in creating web content. She is a wanderlust at heart, but an outgoing sports writer with focus on tennis, athletics, football, motorsports and NBA.
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