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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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ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 8: Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon gets mobbed by teammate Clyde Drexler (R) and Charlie Jones (C) 07 June after Olajuwon hit the game winning shot during game one of the NBA Championships against the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Arena. The Rockets defeated the Magic 120-118 in overtime. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read Tony RANZIE/AFP/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 8: Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon gets mobbed by teammate Clyde Drexler (R) and Charlie Jones (C) 07 June after Olajuwon hit the game winning shot during game one of the NBA Championships against the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Arena. The Rockets defeated the Magic 120-118 in overtime. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read Tony RANZIE/AFP/Getty Images) /

21. Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston vs. Orlando, Game 1 (1995)

When Michael Jordan decided to chase his dream of playing baseball, the pendulum of NBA dominance shifted toward big men like Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing.

Olajuwon and his Rockets took advantage of Jordan’s absence in 1994 by bouncing Ewing and the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.

Coming into their second consecutive Finals series, the Rockets and Olajuwon outlasted NBA MVP David Robinson and the Spurs in the Western Conference playoffs. Now, Olajuwon faced O’Neal, along with the all-the-rage, team-of-the-future Orlando Magic.

Orlando’s Nick Anderson missed four consecutive free throws at the end of regulation that allowed the Rockets to force overtime. Olajuwon tipped in a game-winner with 0.3 to go in overtime to give the Rockets a Game 1.

If one Game 1 ever decided an NBA Finals, this was it. Olajuwon led the way to a series sweep by averaging 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

Next: Shaq's Revenge