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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) /
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6 Jun 2001: Tyronn Lue #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT
6 Jun 2001: Tyronn Lue #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT /

24. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia vs. L.A. Lakers, Game 1 (2001)

Allen Iverson was never a fan of practice, but he was damn near perfect against the Lakers in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals.

While the Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant Lakers were in the midst of their mini-dynastic three-peat, no one ever expected their opponent in these Finals to offer much opposition.

Clearly, no one in purple and gold was ready for A.I. The Lakers had won 19 straight heading into Game 1 of the 2001 Finals, including 11 consecutive wins in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Philadelphia 76ers had just finished their second consecutive seven-game series three days prior. The series was billed by NBC’s Marv Albert as a “David and Goliath” matchup.

So what happened in Game 1? Regular-season MVP Iverson delivered the signature performance of his career with 48 points. Shaq countered with 44 and 20 rebounds. The Sixers won 107-101 in OT.

That was enough to wake up Goliath, as the Lakers would win the next four games (including all three at Philadelphia) and the series.

Next: Couldn't Have Done Much More