By Zachary Smith

On the biggest stage the NBA has to offer, stars are born, and iconic moments are made. Let’s take a look at the top 5 NBA Finals since 2000.

5. Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks (2011)

Finals MVP: PF Dirk Nowitzki

The finals series in 2011 was a rematch from 2006. Both team’s rosters went through a lot of change in the five years since the first matchup. Perennial All-Stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwayne Wade in Miami, while players such as Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion were added to Dallas’ roster since the first series. This is the only series on this list not to have gone 7 games. 

Every game of this series, apart from the closeout game, was decided by single digits. Games 2-4 were all decided by shots at the final buzzer, including an incredible 15-point 4th quarter comeback by the Mavs in Game 2. This series featured a great performance from Dirk Nowitzki as he displayed incredible shot-making ability throughout. 

While the Heat were heavy favorites heading into this series, the Mavericks managed to overcome the individual talents of Miami. Dirk averaged 26 points and just under 10 rebounds per game. This is also the infamous series where LeBron scored just 8 points in Game 4. 

The Mavericks avenged their blown series from 2006, while the Heat went on to win back to back championships the next 2 years.

4. San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons (2005)

Finals MVP: PF Tim Duncan

If you are not a fan of defensive games, this series is not for you. This 7-game series was a low scoring affair, as both teams averaged below 90 points for the series. Only one team went over 100 in the series, which was the Pistons in Game 4.

The first four games were blowouts by the home teams. Game 5 was the first close game that people were expecting to see in the series. 

That game had 12 lead changes and ended up going into overtime.  The Pistons took a late 2-point lead before Robert Horry hit a 3-pointer to give the Spurs a 3-2 lead headed back to San Antonio. However, despite being at home, the Spurs were unable to close things out as the Pistons were able to force Game 7 after a 95-86 win. 

Game 7 was one for the ages, as both teams struggled with scoring on superb defense. The Pistons threatened to pull away early in the 3rd quarter before Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan took over in the second half, combining for 33 points. The Spurs would go on to win 81-74 as they managed to capture their 3rd title in 7 seasons. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 20.6 points and 14 rebounds per game and won the Finals MVP.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors (2016)

Finals MVP: SF LeBron James

Arguably the most iconic Finals series of the 2000s, this series had many notable moments, from LeBron’s epic chase-down block to Kyrie’s game-winning shot, to all the memes inspired by the epic collapse of the Warriors in this series. The Warriors became the first team ever to blow a 3-1 lead in an NBA Finals series. 

While this series featured blowouts in the first 3 games, the last 4 games featured great individual performances by the stars of the series. 

This trend was started with Steph Curry’s 38-point explosion in Game 4 before LeBron and Kyrie took over the series. They each scored 41 points in Game 5, and LeBron then followed that up with 41 points in Game 6 before having a triple-double in Game 7. 

In Game 7, Draymond Green stepped it up as he led the Warriors with 32 points,15 rebounds, and 9 assists. However, it was all for not as Kyrie had 26 points and the previously mentioned game-winning shot. 

Steph Curry struggled throughout this series and in Game 7 he was only able to manage 17 points. 

LeBron James became the first player to lead both teams in all 5 major categories.

Of all the individual games on this list, Game 7 of this series is arguably the best. It was competitive throughout and has moments that fans will remember for years to come. 

This series had repercussions that affected the whole league, as it led to Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors which led them to win the next 2 championships back-to-back.

2. Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs (2013)

Finals MVP: SF LeBron James

In the first of 2 straight finals appearances between these two teams, the Miami Heat were able to win the first matchup between them. 

After a close 92-88 win by the Spurs after an incredible shot by Tony Parker to seal Game 1, the Heat and the Spurs alternated blowout wins in Games 2-5. 

Heading back to Miami, the Spurs held a 3-2 lead and were looking for their 5th championship in 5 tries. 

After taking control of the game in the 3rd quarter, the Heat staged a furious comeback in the 4th lead by LeBron James’ 16 points in the period. The Spurs however had a 5-point lead with just 28.2 seconds left, before missed free throws by the Spurs, and three-pointers by both LeBron and Ray Allen sent the game to overtime. 

Chris Bosh then sealed the win with a block on Danny Green to force Game 7. 

In Game 7, James scored 35 points and hit 5 three-pointers to lead Miami to a 95-88 victory in a back and forth contest where no team led by more than 7 points.

1. LA Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (2010)

Finals MVP: SG Kobe Bryant

A list of the top NBA Finals would not be complete without adding a Lakers and Celtics championship matchup onto it. The 2008 series was good except for the closeout game. The rematch in 2010 was even better and for the 5th time, their championship series went 7 games. 

This series was a back and forth affair, with only two games decided by double digits. From Ray Allen setting the record for most  three-pointers in a Finals game (Steph Curry would go on to break this record) to Kobe Bryant’s 19-point 3rd quarter explosion in Game 5. 

After going down 3-2, the Lakers evened up the series with a 22-point blowout of the Celtics in Game 6. This set up an epic Game 7 where the Lakers had to come back from a 13-point 3rd quarter deficit. 

This game featured Kobe Bryant shooting 6-24, and the Lakers as a team shooting 32% from the field. The Celtics two best shot makers in Paul Pierce and Ray Allen struggled, going a combined 8-29 from the field. 

With this title win, the Lakers won back-to-back championships, their 5th since 2000, and their 16th title overall, which pulled them to within one of the Celtics 17 titles for the most of all time. 

Zachary is a sports writer for La Tonique.