ESPN Classic Presents: Top 10 PBSL Finals Games Ever
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 4:55 pm
It's almost time for the playoffs, that wonderful time of the year where sixteens teams' hopes and wishes get dashed, one by one, until only one team is left celebrating at the end of the season. Throughout the history of the PBSL, there have been blowouts, nailbiters, and game winners, and the PBSL Finals is no different. The best players seem to step up in the biggest moments. Heroes come from unlikely places. And it isn't over 'til it's over. These cliches and more have been proven true time and time again.
Our staffers at ESPN have watched all 160 PBSL Finals games to figure out which were the best games. There was no game score or math that factored into this decision, but several intangibles were considered. How close was the series? Did the game in question prove instrumental in changing the outcome of the series? Did any one player have a dominant performance? Was there a signature moment that defined the game? These categories and many more were considered, and the results can be found here. Strap in and get ready to take a trip through memory lane as we explore the Best PBSL Finals Games Ever!
10. 2002 Finals - Game 4 - Hawks 105, Mavericks 104
Box Score
It starts out our list because it probably had the lowest implications of any of these games. The Hawks were already up 3-0 heading into this game, and even if the Mavs had won, the Hawks would've likely taken the series. They were just too good that year. Still, that game had drama. The Mavs took control of the game, heading into the 4th quarter up 7. Marcus Camby had a dominating triple double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and an eye-popping 11 blocks. But the Hawks that year would not be denied as they outscored the Mavs 28-20 in the 4th quarter, and Anfernee Hardaway put up 20 points and 12 assists on the way to his 4th Finals MVP, to this day the most in history.
9. 2000 Finals - Game 2 - Lakers 96, Bucks 95
Box Score
In Game 1, Shaquille O'Neal was injured and would miss the rest of the Finals, undoubtedly changing the direction of the series. But in Game 2, with the Lakers leading the series 1-0, the Bucks put up the fight of their lives. Chris Gatling put up an admirable 10/7 performance filling in for Shaq, and Jalen Rose was three assists from a triple double. However, the Lakers held off a furious late comeback from the Bucks and kept the lead for good on a late bucket by Jason Kidd. The Lakers would go onto win Game 2 and continue that momentum into a 4-1 series victory.
8. 2015 Finals - Game 2 - Warriors 118, Raptors 115
Box Score
Heading into the 4th quarter of game 2, the Raptors were up by 4 and feeling confident that they would have a comfortable 2-0 series lead heading into Oakland for Games 3-5. However, Arron Afflalo led the charge, scoring 35 off the bench in a furious effort to lead the Warriors comeback. The Warriors would go on to win 2 of 3 in Oakland, turning the entire complexion of the series around. Afflalo's effort was vital on a night that Steph Curry, the eventual Finals MVP, posted a pedestrian statline of 14 points and 8 assists.
7. 2003 Finals - Game 3 - Raptors 98, Spurs 97
Box Score
Much like the last game in our list, the Raptors were in a precarious position going into Game 3. They had lost game 1 in Toronto, meaning the Spurs had a tied series with three games at home. The Raptors entered halftime down by 3, but they had a strong third quarter and were able to withstand the Spurs in the 4th when an errant shot by Ray Allen sealed the deal for Toronto. They took game 3 by the slimmest of margins and continued that momentum in winning every game in San Antonio and ultimately the series. The North had finally won its first title.
6. 2010 Finals - Game 1 - Suns 110, Hawks 109
Box Score
It takes a lot of effort to be the only team to eliminate the Atlanta Hawks in the Finals. In the case of the 2010 Phoenix Suns, it took a monster effort in Game 1 and a little bit of good fortune. The Suns, who were on a miracle playoff run, steadily controlled the game through three quarters. But in the 4th, the lumbering giant woke up and the Hawks fought back, taking the lead several times in the final minutes. In the end, Kyle Korver and J.J. Redick did what they do best, hitting clutch outside shots down the stretch to ensure the Suns held onto victory. It would be the boost the Suns needed to extend the series to 7 games, where they won in Atlanta again to win their first championship.
5. 2004 Finals - Game 4 - Lakers 120, Raptors 118 (OT)
Box Score
The Toronto Raptors were in their second straight Finals and they were feeling confident. Despite being down 2-1, they were in control in Game 4. They overcame an injury to Tom Gugliotta and were leading the Lakers 90-81 going into the 4th quarter. If they held on, they'd even the series at 2-2. But the Lakers stormed back in the 4th behind a Herculean effort by Keith Van Horn, who scored 34 points on 6-8 from three. They tied the game in regulation and were able to just sneak ahead in overtime to win, going ahead in the series 3-1 and killing the Raptors' confidence, who couldn't overcome the loss of Gugliotta and fell in the next game.
4. 2016 Finals - Game 7 - Pelicans 114, Pacers 109
Box Score
Man oh man, this game had it all. You want background? How about the Pacers forcing a Game 7 with a dominating Game 6 at home, causing most to believe they would win it all. You want drama? How about the Pacers being up at halftime at home and the Pelicans fighting hard in the second half to take the title away from the Indiana fans. You want superstar performances? Deron Williams scored 49 points along with 10 assists and 8 rebounds, which somehow wasn't enough to win the championship. The Pelicans finally tasted success after years of futility, which made it all the more sweet for their fans.
3. 1994 Finals - Game 5 - Celtics 84, Lakers 83
Box Score
Let's be honest - the Finals weren't as exciting in the 90s. Many of the series ended in five games, and there weren't many nailbiters. But this defensive slugfest between Boston and LA definitely remains one of the best Finals Games of all time. Heading into Game 5, the series was knotted at 2, with each team looking to take a step towards their first championship. In the 4th quarter, the Lakers came back to take the lead after trailing in the 3rd. But with seconds remaining on the clock, Toni Kukoc hit a jumper from the right side of the key to give the Celtics the victory. They eventually won the title and started a decade of dominance that Boston fans yearn for daily.
2. 2012 Finals - Game 7 - Spurs 101, Heat 100
Box Score
The stage was set for an epic finals. Back and forth, neck and neck all the way. The last three games were all decided by 10 points or less. And with the Spurs ahead by 1 late in the game, the Heat had a chance to win it all. LeBron James found a wide open Brandon Jennings with time expiring. The shot was perfect. But as the buzzer blew, the shot just rimmed out. Jennings crumpled to the floor as San Antonio went berserk -- the Spurs had finally won a title! Pundits argued for months after if LeBron should've taken the shot.
1. 2018 Finals - Game 7 - Pistons 127, Kings 125 (OT)
Box Score
Call it recency bias, but I don't know how you can deny this game. The Kings and Pistons refused to give up any inches to one another all series, long, and even 28 quarters couldn't separate them. It took a final period, which just like the others were neck and neck, to finally give the Pistons the two point separation they needed to become champions. Anthony Davis, not even old enough to rent a car, posted a ridiculous 51 point, 14 rebound, 8 block performance, overshadowing Derrick Rose's 49 points and 12 assists. It was stirring. It was emotional. It was the best Finals Game Ever.
Our staffers at ESPN have watched all 160 PBSL Finals games to figure out which were the best games. There was no game score or math that factored into this decision, but several intangibles were considered. How close was the series? Did the game in question prove instrumental in changing the outcome of the series? Did any one player have a dominant performance? Was there a signature moment that defined the game? These categories and many more were considered, and the results can be found here. Strap in and get ready to take a trip through memory lane as we explore the Best PBSL Finals Games Ever!
10. 2002 Finals - Game 4 - Hawks 105, Mavericks 104
Box Score
It starts out our list because it probably had the lowest implications of any of these games. The Hawks were already up 3-0 heading into this game, and even if the Mavs had won, the Hawks would've likely taken the series. They were just too good that year. Still, that game had drama. The Mavs took control of the game, heading into the 4th quarter up 7. Marcus Camby had a dominating triple double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and an eye-popping 11 blocks. But the Hawks that year would not be denied as they outscored the Mavs 28-20 in the 4th quarter, and Anfernee Hardaway put up 20 points and 12 assists on the way to his 4th Finals MVP, to this day the most in history.
9. 2000 Finals - Game 2 - Lakers 96, Bucks 95
Box Score
In Game 1, Shaquille O'Neal was injured and would miss the rest of the Finals, undoubtedly changing the direction of the series. But in Game 2, with the Lakers leading the series 1-0, the Bucks put up the fight of their lives. Chris Gatling put up an admirable 10/7 performance filling in for Shaq, and Jalen Rose was three assists from a triple double. However, the Lakers held off a furious late comeback from the Bucks and kept the lead for good on a late bucket by Jason Kidd. The Lakers would go onto win Game 2 and continue that momentum into a 4-1 series victory.
8. 2015 Finals - Game 2 - Warriors 118, Raptors 115
Box Score
Heading into the 4th quarter of game 2, the Raptors were up by 4 and feeling confident that they would have a comfortable 2-0 series lead heading into Oakland for Games 3-5. However, Arron Afflalo led the charge, scoring 35 off the bench in a furious effort to lead the Warriors comeback. The Warriors would go on to win 2 of 3 in Oakland, turning the entire complexion of the series around. Afflalo's effort was vital on a night that Steph Curry, the eventual Finals MVP, posted a pedestrian statline of 14 points and 8 assists.
7. 2003 Finals - Game 3 - Raptors 98, Spurs 97
Box Score
Much like the last game in our list, the Raptors were in a precarious position going into Game 3. They had lost game 1 in Toronto, meaning the Spurs had a tied series with three games at home. The Raptors entered halftime down by 3, but they had a strong third quarter and were able to withstand the Spurs in the 4th when an errant shot by Ray Allen sealed the deal for Toronto. They took game 3 by the slimmest of margins and continued that momentum in winning every game in San Antonio and ultimately the series. The North had finally won its first title.
6. 2010 Finals - Game 1 - Suns 110, Hawks 109
Box Score
It takes a lot of effort to be the only team to eliminate the Atlanta Hawks in the Finals. In the case of the 2010 Phoenix Suns, it took a monster effort in Game 1 and a little bit of good fortune. The Suns, who were on a miracle playoff run, steadily controlled the game through three quarters. But in the 4th, the lumbering giant woke up and the Hawks fought back, taking the lead several times in the final minutes. In the end, Kyle Korver and J.J. Redick did what they do best, hitting clutch outside shots down the stretch to ensure the Suns held onto victory. It would be the boost the Suns needed to extend the series to 7 games, where they won in Atlanta again to win their first championship.
5. 2004 Finals - Game 4 - Lakers 120, Raptors 118 (OT)
Box Score
The Toronto Raptors were in their second straight Finals and they were feeling confident. Despite being down 2-1, they were in control in Game 4. They overcame an injury to Tom Gugliotta and were leading the Lakers 90-81 going into the 4th quarter. If they held on, they'd even the series at 2-2. But the Lakers stormed back in the 4th behind a Herculean effort by Keith Van Horn, who scored 34 points on 6-8 from three. They tied the game in regulation and were able to just sneak ahead in overtime to win, going ahead in the series 3-1 and killing the Raptors' confidence, who couldn't overcome the loss of Gugliotta and fell in the next game.
4. 2016 Finals - Game 7 - Pelicans 114, Pacers 109
Box Score
Man oh man, this game had it all. You want background? How about the Pacers forcing a Game 7 with a dominating Game 6 at home, causing most to believe they would win it all. You want drama? How about the Pacers being up at halftime at home and the Pelicans fighting hard in the second half to take the title away from the Indiana fans. You want superstar performances? Deron Williams scored 49 points along with 10 assists and 8 rebounds, which somehow wasn't enough to win the championship. The Pelicans finally tasted success after years of futility, which made it all the more sweet for their fans.
3. 1994 Finals - Game 5 - Celtics 84, Lakers 83
Box Score
Let's be honest - the Finals weren't as exciting in the 90s. Many of the series ended in five games, and there weren't many nailbiters. But this defensive slugfest between Boston and LA definitely remains one of the best Finals Games of all time. Heading into Game 5, the series was knotted at 2, with each team looking to take a step towards their first championship. In the 4th quarter, the Lakers came back to take the lead after trailing in the 3rd. But with seconds remaining on the clock, Toni Kukoc hit a jumper from the right side of the key to give the Celtics the victory. They eventually won the title and started a decade of dominance that Boston fans yearn for daily.
2. 2012 Finals - Game 7 - Spurs 101, Heat 100
Box Score
The stage was set for an epic finals. Back and forth, neck and neck all the way. The last three games were all decided by 10 points or less. And with the Spurs ahead by 1 late in the game, the Heat had a chance to win it all. LeBron James found a wide open Brandon Jennings with time expiring. The shot was perfect. But as the buzzer blew, the shot just rimmed out. Jennings crumpled to the floor as San Antonio went berserk -- the Spurs had finally won a title! Pundits argued for months after if LeBron should've taken the shot.
1. 2018 Finals - Game 7 - Pistons 127, Kings 125 (OT)
Box Score
Call it recency bias, but I don't know how you can deny this game. The Kings and Pistons refused to give up any inches to one another all series, long, and even 28 quarters couldn't separate them. It took a final period, which just like the others were neck and neck, to finally give the Pistons the two point separation they needed to become champions. Anthony Davis, not even old enough to rent a car, posted a ridiculous 51 point, 14 rebound, 8 block performance, overshadowing Derrick Rose's 49 points and 12 assists. It was stirring. It was emotional. It was the best Finals Game Ever.
