The 2015 NBA Playoffs is well underway, as teams are currently locked in battle in their respective conference semifinal rounds.
There has been no shortage of great games so far in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, with buzzer beaters, routs of 20 or more points and injuries to crucial players, keeping fans interested. Teams look to become the new NBA champions since last year's champs, the San Antonio Spurs, have already been eliminated.
Throughout the history of the NBA Playoffs, however, there are even more great moments. While it is truly impossible to make a list that ranks the greatest moments in NBA Playoff history, these games nonetheless have legitimate reasons to be included in that list.
Indiana Pacers Beat New York Knicks 93-86 in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals
This game between the Pacers and the Knicks showcases the clutch factor of hall of fame sniper Reggie Miller, who scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead his team to a win on the road in Madison Square Garden.
Boston Celtics Beat Atlanta Hawks 118-116 in Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Dominique Wilkins scored 47 points while shooting 19-for-23 from the field while Larry Bird scored 20 of his 34 points for the game in the fourth quarter, where he missed only one out of the 10 shots that he took. The showdown between Wilkins and Bird ensued in an all-out duel to close the game, with commentator Brent Musburger saying: "You are watching what greatness is all about."
Los Angeles Lakers Beat Boston Celtics 107-106 in Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals
With 12 seconds left and the Celtics up 106-105, Magic Johnson took an inbounds pass from the left sideline. Instead of launching a jumper, Johnson dribbled to the key and launched an old-fashioned running hook shot that gave the Lakers the lead and, after a missed attempt by Larry Bird in the last possession, the win.
New York Knicks Beat Los Angeles Lakers 113-99 in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals
Knicks center Willis Reed suffered a torn muscle in his right thigh in Game 5, which forced him out of action in Game 6. Reed took an injection to dull the pain to be able to play in Game 7, where he scored only four points. However, his presence was enough to inspire the Knicks to a victory, led by guard Walt Frazier's 36 points and 19 assists.
Boston Celtics Beat Philadelphia 76ers 110-109 in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Division Finals
The Celtics were looking to win their eighth straight championship, and all that stood in their way were the 76ers. The series featured the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, but the deciding factor of the game and the series was John Havlicek's defensive skill. Havlicek's play to deflect the inbounds pass to preserve the victory of the Celtics gave rise to Johnny Most's iconic phrase: "Havlicek stole the ball!"
Los Angeles Lakers Beat Philadelphia 76ers 123-107 in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured and was forced not to play the game, but then-rookie Magic Johnson steeped in and filled for the big man. Johnson played all the positions throughout the course of the game, from his usual point guard spot to Abdul-Jabber's center position, finishing with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the Lakers to the championship.
Boston Celtics Beat Detroit Pistons 108-107 in Game 5 of 1987 Eastern Conference Finals
Isiah Thomas of the Pistons was ready to make the inbounds pass to Bill Laimbeer, with five seconds remaining and the Pistons holding a one-point lead. If the Pistons won, they would be up three games to two and would have the possibility of eliminating the Celtics in the next game. However, Larry Bird made a defining defensive play, stealing the inbounds pass by Thomas then passing the ball to a streaking Dennis Johnson for the lay-up.
Chicago Bulls Beat Utah Jazz 90-88 in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals
Michael Jordan was bitten hard by the flu bug that it was possible that he would not play in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Jazz, with the series tied 2-2. However, Jordan willed himself to play, scoring 38 points with seven rebounds to lead the Bulls to the victory, despite showing intense signs of exhaustion and dehydration throughout the game.
Boston Celtics Beat Phoenix Suns 128-126 in 3OT in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals
In a heart-stopping game, the Celtics were up against the Suns with the series tied at 2 wins each. The most memorable moment of the game was the end of the second overtime, when the Celtics thought they had won the game on a shot by John Havlicek to put them up 111-110. After the confusion, it was determined that there was one second left in the game, but since the Suns would have to inbound from the end of the court, Paul Westphal called a timeout even though the Suns did not have any timeouts left. This led to a technical free throw that Jo Jo White made to make the score 112-110, but the Suns would be inbounding from midcourt. Garfield Heard then made "a shot heard around the world" after the inbounds pass to send the game to third overtime. The third extra period saw new heroes rise for the Celtics to take the win, in a game that legendary coach Red Auerbach said is probably the most exciting one that he has seen in his career of five decades.
Chicago Bulls Beat Utah Jazz 87-86 in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals
With the Bulls behind by three points in the final minute, Michael Jordan scored on a drive then stole the ball from Karl Malone to set up for what could be the most iconic shot in NBA Playoff history. Covered by Bryon Russell, Jordan used a crossover to get free and hit a 20-feet jumper for the final score, giving the Bulls its sixth championship.
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