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Playing in the NBA comes with the pressure to perform well on a daily basis. This pressure is increased even more when it comes to the NBA Finals. This is the biggest stage in all of basketball, with the entire world watching to see who will be crowned the champions. With the two best teams in the league battling it out, it is not uncommon to find these matches to be closer than usual. Both teams will fight for every possession, do their best to execute offensively, and play tough on the defensive end.
There have been many players throughout NBA history who made amazing plays on the offensive end in crucial moments of the Finals to give their team an edge. Here is a look at the five most clutch shots in NBA Finals history.
#5 Magic Johnson - 1987 Finals, Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have a rivalry that goes back decades. Throughout the '80s, they had many historic battles led by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird that were almost always close.
In the 1987 Finals, the Lakers found themselves leading 2 games to 1 against the Celtics. Initially, Game 4 didn't seem to be all that close. The Celtics led the Lakers by 16 points going into the half. However, once the second half started, the Lakers began to slowly crawl their way back into the game. They eventually found themselves down 105-106 with just 7 seconds left on the clock and possession of the ball.
The inbound found its way to none other than Magic Johnson who came off a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar screen which forced Kevin McHale to switch on to him. As he received the ball, Magic pump faked but McHale didn't fall for the fake. So Magic then stepped back with one dribble, and with a quick hesitation, he drove straight into the lane and made the running sky hook as Robert Parish came over to help. This gave the Lakers a 1-point lead with 2 seconds to go in the game.
The Celtics managed to inbound the ball to Larry Bird who missed a 3-pointer that would have won the game for them and tied the series. The Lakers would go on to win the series 4-2 en route to their 10th championship in franchise history.
#4 Steve Kerr - 1997 Finals, Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz
It was Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals and the Chicago Bulls were leading the Utah Jazz 3 games to 2. The Jazz were playing to extend the series to a Game 7 while the Bulls want to end it all right here.
After going back and forth through the entire game, both teams were tied at 86 with just 28 seconds to go. The Bulls were in a similar situation in an earlier game in the series where Jordan was double teamed by John Stockton who managed to steal the ball. During a timeout, Jordan recalled what happened and told Steve Kerr if Stockton comes to double team MJ, he needs to be ready for the ball.
As expected, the ball was inbounded to Jordan who dribbled out most of the clock. Now with under 10 seconds to go in the game, Stockton left Kerr wide open and double-teamed Jordan, expecting him to take the final shot. Jordan picked up the ball and swung it to the ready Kerr, who immediately pulled up for a jumper from 17 feet to put the Bulls up by 2. The Jazz were unable to make a shot in the final possession of the game to extend the series and the Bulls won their 5th championship.
#3 John Paxson - 1993 Finals, Chicago Bulls vs Phoenix Suns
The Bulls were leading the series 3 games to 2 against the Phoenix Suns. In this game, however, the Suns were up 98-96 and were one defensive stop away from forcing Game 7.
Coming out of a Bulls timeout, Jordan inbounded the ball but immediately got it back. He advanced up to halfcourt and passed it back to Pippen, who then drove down the middle of the lane and passed to a cutting Horace Grant. Grant was in a position to take a contested layup over the smaller defender but instead passed the ball out to a wide open John Paxson. Paxson took the three-pointer without hesitation and gave the Bulls a 1-point lead with 3.9 to go.
The Suns would not be able to convert on the other end of the floor as the Bulls won their 3rd championship in franchise history.
#2 Michael Jordan - 1998 Finals, Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz
Similar to the 1997 Finals, the Chicago Bulls were up 3 games to 2 against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz led 86-85 with possession of the ball and under 30 seconds to go in the game. Stockton fed Karl Malone in the post with 22 seconds to go. As this happened, Michael Jordan came up from the baseline and stole the ball from the unsuspecting Malone.
Now with 20 seconds to go and the shot clock turned off, Jordan dribbled the ball up the court and used some of the clock. Then, with under 10 seconds to go, Jordan drove to his right as Byron Russell stayed with him. He crossed over his back to the left as he gave Russell a little nudge that left him off balance, and Jordan wide open. Jordan rose up and sank the jumper with 5.2 left on the clock, giving the Bulls a 1-point lead.
The Jazz used a timeout and scrambled to get a shot off as Stockton shot a desperation 3 that bounced off the front of the rim as time expired. Winning this series gave both Jordan and the Bulls their 6th championship.
#1 Ray Allen - 2013 Finals, Miami Heat vs San Antonio Spurs
It was Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were up 3 games to 2 and led the game 95-92.
The Heat had the final possession with the shot clock turned off. Chalmers brought the ball up the court and passed it to LeBron James as he came off a screen set by Chris Bosh. James had space to shoot and immediately took the 3 with 11 seconds to go. The shot hit the left side of the rim and bounced out as Bosh skied in for the most important rebound of his career. He quickly brought it down and passes the ball out to Ray Allen who stepped out beyond the 3-point line.
When it comes to shooting 3-pointers, Allen is one of the best. He didn't hesitate and pulled up over Tony Parker who was desperately trying to close out on him and drained it. The crowd erupted as the game was now tied with 5.2 to go. The Heat were able to carry this momentum into overtime, who went on to win the game and eventually the series in Game 7.
This was the 3rd championship in Heat history.
