Hoops Habit
Fansided

25 Greatest Performances In NBA Finals History

By Bill Speros

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
21 of 26
Next
UNITED STATES - MAY 26: Basketball: NBA Finals, Boston Celtics Larry Bird (33) in action, taking shot vs Houston Rockets Rodney McCray (22), Boston, MA 5/26/1986--6/8/1986 (Photo by John Iacono/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X33202)
UNITED STATES – MAY 26: Basketball: NBA Finals, Boston Celtics Larry Bird (33) in action, taking shot vs Houston Rockets Rodney McCray (22), Boston, MA 5/26/1986–6/8/1986 (Photo by John Iacono/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X33202) /

6. Larry Bird, Boston vs. Houston, Game 6 (1986)

Larry Bird won three NBA titles with the Celtics, including an epic seven-game victory over rival Magic Johnson and the Lakers in 1984. Bird saved his best individual Finals performance for his last championship – Game 6 against the Houston Rockets in 1986.

Many argue that this 67-win Celtics team was the greatest of all time because of the fact it boasted a starting lineup with four Hall of Famers and had a fifth, Bill Walton, coming off the bench as the sixth man.

The Rockets put up a fight early in the series and nearly drew blood when 7-foot-4 Ralph Sampson punched out Jerry Sichting in Game 5. But Boston came home with a 3-2 lead and Bird wasn’t about to let Houston get to a Game 7.

Bird delivered a masterful performance. He secured Boston’s 16th championship with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. The textbook performance in a career defined by textbook performances.

To the surprise of no one, Bird was named Finals MVP. It would be the final championship cigar for Red Auerbach.

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?