The 10 Bests NBA Finals of all time

The Greatest NBA Finals of All Time: The Top 10

While the Finals are in full swing between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, the time has come to rank the best NBA Finals in history… And we recommend you take a look at each of the series that make up this Top 10.

1. Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)

The greatest Finals in the league’s history. Without any possible dispute. In 2016, the Warriors were on another planet. Following a regular season concluded with 73 wins and 9 losses—the best record of all time—the Warriors advanced to the playoffs as favorites and rolled through the Western Conference to reach the Finals against… LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers. A rematch of the 2015 NBA Finals, won by Steph Curry’s crew. But this time, the series spiraled into madness. Down 3 games to 1, the Cavs had their backs against the wall and were forced to pull off a true miracle to offer the city of Cleveland, nicknamed “the city of loss” at the time, its first sports title since 1964… And the rest is history. The Cavs rallied back to tie it at 3-3 and clinched a decisive Game 7 in San Francisco that will forever be legendary.

2. Miami Heat – Dallas Mavericks (2011)

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all time. Third in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks reached the playoffs with low expectations given the path ahead. But against all odds, Dirk Nowitzki and his teammates achieved miracle after miracle. After easily advancing past the first round, the Mavericks faced the Los Angeles Lakers, second in the conference, and inflicted a brutal 4-0 sweep—the greatest possible humiliation in the playoffs. In the Conference Finals, the young Thunder wolves showed up, but Dallas’s experience made the difference after seven completely crazy games. The Mavs were in the Finals. But the ultimate obstacle was no gift, far from it… The Miami Heat led by their magical trio of Wade – Bosh – James. A team built to steamroll the league… but one that faltered at the worst time. Thanks to an otherworldly Dirk Nowitzki, the Texans pulled off the surprise, defeating the best team in the NBA to win the first title in their history and avenge their 2006 loss, where Dwyane Wade’s MVP Heat had prevailed against the very same Mavericks.

3. Boston Celtics – Los Angeles Lakers (1984)

A meeting of stars. In 1984, the NBA was experiencing one of its finest eras and offered the ultimate spectacle for a fantastic season: the greatest matchup of all: Lakers – Celtics. The greatest rivalry in the history of our sport, sustained by the long-distance battle between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. A rivalry that lasted since college and reached its peak during these Finals. For seven games, the two teams traded blows. With aggression, agonizing money-time, exceptional duels, and scorers on a mission, all the ingredients were present for one of the most exceptional Finals in history… And in this game, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious, clinching the 15th title in their history.

4. Boston Celtics – Los Angeles Lakers (2008)

Time for revenge! Or so we might have thought. In 2008, the Lakers found their greatest enemy on the final stage. But once again, the title would elude them. Led by their scorching quartet of Rondo – Allen – Pierce – Garnett, the Celtics delivered one of the best series of the modern era against a lonely Kobe Bryant. Twists, questionable injuries, and compelling storytelling—everything came together to mark the history of our sport.

5. Toronto Raptors – Golden State Warriors (2019)

Perhaps the most beautiful “playoff campaign” of the modern era. Arriving in Toronto in the summer of 2018 in exchange for Demar DeRozan, Kawhi Leonard literally carried the Canadian franchise on his shoulders during the playoffs, delivering one wild individual performance after another… And Joel Embiid and the Sixers would not disagree, having been assassinated at the buzzer of an absolutely sublime Game 7 in the Conference Semifinals. In the Finals, the Bucks received the same treatment. Toronto advanced to the Finals to face the Warriors dynasty, led by an untouchable Kevin Durant. Or so we thought. Driven by Canadian fervor and a blooming Fred VanVleet, Toronto created a surprise by leading the series 3-2 before heading to San Francisco for a decisive Game 6, all against a Warriors side weakened by the injury loss of KD, as well as Klay Thompson late in the final game. Thanks to this absolutely legendary run, Kawhi made Raptors history, bringing the Canadians the very first Larry O’Brien trophy in their young history.

6. Detroit Pistons – Los Angeles Lakers (2004)

No one expected it, yet everything worked out for them. After a well-managed regular season and a third-place finish in the East, the Detroit Pistons managed to fight their way to the NBA Finals to face the Los Angeles Lakers armada, led by their iconic duo Kobe Bryant – Shaquille O’Neal, authors of the most recent three-peat (2000, 2001, 2002). But in this Finals, nothing went as planned. Despite a good start, the Angelenos suffered a major setback. Karl Malone, a central piece of the roster, was injured and forced to leave his teammates to do the work. But facing them, these Pistons were considered the successors of the “Bad Boys” for a reason. Extremely aggressive defensively, Detroit smothered the Lakers, who completely stumbled in their play, leaving the Michigan franchise the perfect opportunity to lift its first championship trophy since 1990.

7. Chicago Bulls – Seattle Supersonics (1996)

We had to talk about Michael Jordan in this Top 10. While, yes, we grant you that despite him being a 6-time NBA champion, these Finals were never truly close. However, the 1996 series deserves to be highlighted. Perfectly launched thanks to a thunderous regular season and a record of 72 wins and 10 losses (the former record broken by the Warriors), the Bulls were not messing around in the playoffs, brutalizing their opponents one by one… until the Sonics showed up. Emerging victorious from the Western jungle, Seattle caused problems for the two-time reigning champions. Nevertheless, the task was too difficult for the Washington State franchise. Despite being led by their duo Gary Payton – Shawn Kemp, the Sonics fell, fighting to the end, against Chicago in what is surely the most beautiful title of Michael Jordan’s career.

8. San Antonio Spurs – Miami Heat (2013)

Of all the Finals of the last decade, the 2013 one was the most exciting on paper… And it delivered on all its promises. The most dominant Big Three on the planet and the Heat’s sense of spectacle versus the Spurs’ collective play and composure. That mini-summary alone is enough to whet the appetite. In a duel where no one wanted to give up and where the franchise players took responsibility, fans witnessed a true battle where every game in the series was like a boxing round… But everything changed in Game 6. Down 3-2, the Miami Heat were trailing by a few points in Game 6 with mere seconds left on the clock. The title was within reach for the Spurs, but that was before Ray Allen hit one of the most clutch shots of all time, sending everyone into overtime. A violent uppercut that officially knocked out the Texans, who never recovered. Miraculously winning Game 6, Erik Spoelstra’s men finished the job two days later at home, securing the 3rd title in the history of the Florida franchise.

9. Philadelphia 76ers – Los Angeles Lakers (2001)

The apotheosis of an MVP. Matched up against the Los Angeles Lakers after a turbulent playoff run, the Sixers, led by a certain Allen Iverson, arrived with one goal in mind: to cause an upset and defeat the most dominant duo of the 21st century. A mission that started perfectly by stealing Game 1 on the Gold & Purple’s home court, featuring AI’s famous step-over on Tyronn Lue—one of the most mythical plays in NBA Finals history. Nevertheless, The Answer could not have the answer to all problems. Despite his XXL performance throughout these Finals, the Angelenos’ army gave no quarter to the Pennsylvanians, who would not win another game in the series. But history will especially remember the multiple performances of the reigning MVP who became, before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander succeeded him this year, the player to have scored the most points in the first two games played of a career Finals (71).

10. San Antonio Spurs – Miami Heat (2014)

Fire vs. Ice, Act II. Defeated the previous season, the San Antonio Spurs faced the Miami Heat in the Finals one year later. An opportunity to get their revenge and finally win the title that had eluded them since 2007. A mission that the teammates of Tony Parker and our current Paris Basketball coach, Tiago Splitter, perfectly accomplished. Fueled by this spirit of revenge, the Spurs delivered the best basketball ever played in history to the world. A collective beauty you only see once in a lifetime. Completely overwhelmed, the Heat, despite being heavy favorites to repeat, lost their footing at the worst moment and could only concede to the Spurs’ team play, which reached its peak in an absolutely insane Game 5.