Top 5 NBA playoff final series of all time

3)New York Knicks Vs LA Lakers(1970)

This playoff series was nothing short of high octane drama. The Knicks and the Lakers were in a fierce playoff battle until tragedy of the highest order struck the Knicks, in game 5 the then NBA MVP Willis Reed had torn a muscle in his leg despite the fact New York had won game 5 they had to play game 6 without Willis Reed. The Knicks lost that game 135-113.

The deciding game 7 approached and the Knicks fans were in for a surprise when Willis Reed showed up limping during the shoot around. He made the first two baskets for the Knicks and made Wilt Chamberlin miss 7 of his first 9 shots. As a result the Knicks took a 61-37 lead in the half time never looking back and going on to win their first ever NBA championship.

4.)Boston Celtics Vs LA Lakers(1984)

Another Lakers-Celtics series that has made it to the top 5. To start off, this was the first time Lakers and Celtics faced off against each other post the Russell-Chamberlin era. This was the time when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were the top dogs in the league. The interesting things is that this was the only playoff series that went down to the 7th game. The Lakers controlled the series early but the defining moment came in Game 6 when Kevin Mchale clothesline Kurt Rambis in game 6 which was a turning point. The Celtics went on to win the 7th game 111-102 with Larry Bird scoring 20 points. Bird went on to win the finals MVP by averaging 27 points and 14 rebounds.

5).LA Lakers Vs Philadelphia76ers(1980)

Its not an easy job when your going up against Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers with your main player injured. Precisely that's what happened with the Lakers, they were playing the all important series decider game 6 without their center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Instead, A 20 year old rookie point guard by the name Magic Johnson started as center, played in all 5 positions and won the match for the Lakers by putting up 42 points 15 rebounds 7 assists 3 steals and a block.