The National Basketball Association has hosted numerous thrilling basketball contests. We’ve seen classic rivals like the Lakers and Celtics meet in the finals, and different underdogs pull off a well-deserved win even in the toughest of circumstances.
In this post we look at ten of the greatest NBA matches ever played and the key moments that defined such games. We’ll also talk a quick look as some of the best NBA picks and selection tips help your betting endeavours.
Greatest NBA Matches of All Time: Top 10
Below are ten of the most iconic games in NBA history. Most of the following matchups took place in the NBA Finals and others in earlier rounds of the playoffs.
- Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics (1976)
The fifth game of the 1976 NBA Finals was one of the most bizarre games ever played in professional basketball. On June 4, 1976, the Phoenix Suns faced the Boston Celtics in this classic matchup. The game was tied at 95 points each at the end of the fourth quarter and 101 to 101 at the end of the first half’s extra session.
- Lebron’s Awakening: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics (2012)
During game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Boston, Lebron James showed how much he had grown sick of Boston Celtics triumphs against Miami Heat. Most iconic games usually feature closely contested games, but this one was quite different.
- Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2010)
The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, the two most successful clubs in league history, met in the 2010 NBA Finals on June 17. The Celtics had never lost a finals game, and for most of the night, it appeared to be the same story. Lakers star Kobe Bryant failed to find his touch in the last game but fortunately, he received assistance from Ron Artest and Pau Gasol, who scored 20 and 19 points, respectively.
- Magic Plays Center: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (1980)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers’ legendary center, suffered a devastating ankle injury in the previous game and side-lined for the following game. With one of their star players missing, the weight was solely on Magic Johnson to fill the void left by Kareem. The Lakers started their star point guard at center and defeated Philadelphia 107-123.
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs (2004)
This game makes the list largely because of Fisher’s 0.4-Second Shot. It took place at the SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas on May 13, 2004. When the Lakers and San Antonio met in the 2004 Western Conference Semi-finals, it was a rematch of past champions. The series was deadlocked 2-2 before the game, with the Lakers aiming to avenge last year’s defeat at the hands of San Antonio.
- Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz (1998)
On June 14, 1998, the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz clashed in the NBA finals for the second year running. The previous year had witnessed Michael Jordan’s heroics on the way to Chicago’s fifth championship, but the Utah Jazz were out for vengeance. They swept the regular-season series and finished 62-60, tying the Bulls for the best record in the NBA.
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors (2016)
The Warriors were by far the greatest team in the NBA during the 2016 regular season, finishing with 73 victories and only 9 defeats. After storming into the finals, they faced the same squad that had given them the title the year before. However, LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers refused to surrender.
- Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns (1993)
In his first season with the Phoenix Suns, Charles Barkley was a wonderful match. Barkley’s outstanding season culminated in the Suns winning 62 games and being awarded regular-season MVP. He led his new team to the NBA Finals, where they were pitted against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
- LA Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (1985)
Prior to the 1985 NBA Finals on June 9, the Lakers had lost all eight previous title series against the Celtics. They entered the match with the best chance of winning the series, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson leading the Lakers. On the other hand, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish led the Celtics.
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons (2005)
The Pistons were attempting to win back-to-back titles, while Tim Duncan was attempting to win his third ring. The game was a back-and-forth battle that was tied eighteen times and included twelve lead changes. After four gaming quarters, there was still no winner, with both teams tied at 89 points each. A last minute three-pointer ensured San Antonio won the game 96-95, an incredibly tiny margin.
The Best NBA Picks and Selections Tips
The finest NBA picks and selections for each game of the 2021/22 season are obtained by crunching figures, evaluating data, and employing computer algorithms to predict appropriate results. Every day, you may get free NBA expert choices. In each NBA season, there are 2,460 games to wager on, and expert picks give betting insights into each game.
Money line, spread, totals, and NBA Prop Bets are some of the greatest options for all games. NBA money line choices are the most straightforward way to wager on an NBA basketball game. When you want to bet on an excellent squad but don’t want to commit $500 or more to win $100, using expert NBA picks against the spread is the way to go.
Conclusion
The NBA has produced some of the most remarkable games in sports. It has been fortunate to stage a number of closely-contested games in which players and teams have achieved the impossible in pursuit of a victory. Most of the games on this list are presented in highlight packages and documentaries, to keep on offering inspiration to future basketball generations.