NBA Finals Predictions: Thunder or Pacers?
Will the Pacers have a chance against lightning in the THR NBA Finals? Fth Crew doesn’t have much faith in this series.
LeBron James has played in the last two NBA Finals Games 7 and won both. First Miami defeated San Antonio in 2013, then Cleveland fell over Golden State.
The Boston Celtics were involved in their first final game 7 in 1957 and their latest final game 7 in 2010, 7-1.
The Lakers also played in eight games and seven in the finals. Two are the Minneapolis Lakers and six are the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the finals’ 19 Game 7, the Celtics and Lakers played five times.
And on Sunday, June 22nd, the Oklahoma City Thunder will play for the Indiana Pacers (ET, ABC) in Oklahoma City in Game 7, the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history.
Note: The home team was 15-4 in Game 7 of the Finals, and Game 7 of the Finals produced a special performance.
Here’s a brief history of 19 games 7 in the NBA Finals.
Game 7: History of the NBA Finals
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Golden State Warriors 93-89
James has a block to save the game, and Kyrie Irving made a 3-pointer to decide the game. James finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, while Irving scored 26 points. James won his third Final MVP.
2013: Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88
James scored 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the series finale.
2010: Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79
Kobe Bryant’s performance was not efficient (24 vs. 6 from the field) but was effective. He had 23 points (11-15 on free throws) and 15 rebounds. It was Bryant’s second final MVP and his fifth final title.
2005: The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Detroit Pistons 81-74
In another low scoring game 7, Final MVP Tim Duncan scored 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
1994: The Houston Rockets defeated the New York Knicks 90-84
At the start of the Rockets’ consecutive titles, Hakeem Olajuwon scored 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. He scored the Finals MVP, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.
1988: Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 108-105
With a chaotic finish, Michael Cooper scored his final basket with Magic Johnson assist as fans and photographers began walking to the court before the clock ran out. Johnson had 19 points and 14 assists, while final MVP James Worthy had a triple double for the monster: 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
1984: The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-102
Final MVP Larrybird was one of the three Celtics with 20 points and 12 rebounds, earning at least 20 points (Cedric Maxwell 20 points, Dennis Johnson 22 points).
1978: Washington Brett defeated Seattle Super Sonics 105-99
The five bullet players scored at least 13 points, led by Bob Dandridge’s 19 points and Final MVP Wes Unseld’s 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
1974: The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 102-87
Dave Cowens had 28 points and 14 rebounds, while final MVP John Havlicek had 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.
1970: The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-99
It is known as the Willis Reed game as an injured Reed stepped onto the court and stimulated his teammates and Knicks fans. Lead missed Game 6 and did not play the second half of Game 7, but he was selected as the Final MVP. Walt Fraser scored 36 points and 19 assists in the finale.
1969: The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-106
Heading into Game 7, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cook came up with a victory celebration plan, infuriating Lakers star Jerry West. John Havelisek scored 26 points, Sam Jones added 24 points, and player coach Bill Russell had 6 points, six assists and 21 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain has 18 points and 27 rebounds for the Lakers, and after averaging 37.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds, West was named the Finals MVP.
1966: The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-93
Bill Russell had 25 points and 32 rebounds, John Havelisek gave 16 points and 16 assists, while Sam Jones scored 22 points for the Celtics. This was Legend Red O’Arbach’s final match as Celtics coach.
1962: The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 110-107 (OT)
Bill Russell has collected 30 points and 40 rebounds. Yes, 40 rebounds cancelled Elgin Baylor’s 41 points and 22 rebounds for the Lakers. Los Angeles’ Frank Selby missed a jump shot at the end of the fourth quarter.
1960: The Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks 122-103
Bill Russell had 22 points and 35 rebounds, Bob Coocy had 19 points and 14 assists, while Frank Ramsey had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics.
1957: Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks 125-123 (2ot)
This marked the start of the unprecedented dynasty of the Celtics. Tom Hineson had 37 points and 23 rebounds, Bill Russell had 19 points and 32 rebounds, while Bob Coocy had 12 points and 11 assists. This was the only final game with two overtimes, with Bob Pettit (39 points, 19 rebounds) missing a shot at the final buzzer that forced the third OT.
1955: Syracuse Nationals defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons 92-91
The seven Nationals players scored at least 11 points, led by George King’s 15 points, and Billy Kenville’s 15 points. Red Kerr and Dolph Shayes had 13 points and 12 rebounds, respectively. This was the first season of the 24-second shot clock. A Kings Free Throw with 12 seconds left won the game.
1954: The Minneapolis Lakers defeated the Syracuse Nationals 87-80
George Mikan had 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Clyde Laverett had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers.
1952: Minneapolis Lakers defeated the New York Knicks 82-65
George Mikan led the Lakers with 22 points and 19 rebounds.
1951: The Rochester Royals defeated the New York Knicks 79-75
Ernie Lizen provided the Royals with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Some historic players were involved in this final. Kiki’s father, Ernie Vandewege. Red Holtzmann is a well-known Knicks coach who played for the Royals. Nat Clifton is one of the NBA’s first black players. Harry Gallatin was one of David Stern’s favorite players when the once NBA commissioner was a child.
