Ranking the top 5 NBA Finals games in LeBron James’s career
By Matthew Way
3. 2013 NBA Finals, Game 7
The most iconic moment in this series happened at the end of regulation in Game 6 when Chris Bosh grabbed a rebound and found Ray Allen in the corner for a three. But that would have been all for naught had LeBron not delivered a legendary close-out game.
Throughout the series, the San Antonio Spurs had employed the same strategy that worked for the Dallas Mavericks in 2011: they packed the paint to limit LeBron’s driving ability. In the first three games, it was wildly successful. James scored less than 20 points in the first three games and attempted only six free throws total in those contests.
Unlike against Dallas in 2011, LeBron adjusted throughout these Finals. And with a second title on the line in Game 7 against the Spurs, he exorcised the demons of two years prior.
Rather than attempting to force his way into the paint and deferring to teammates, LeBron fully embraced the defense that faced him. He shot jumpers and did so confidently. He made five of 10 shots from behind the arc, shot over 50 percent, and scored 37 points while adding 12 rebounds and four assists.
And in the biggest moment, with a championship on the line and all eyes on him, LeBron James effectively ended the season:
The narrative came full circle at that moment. After the humiliation of the 2011 Finals, LeBron was masterful facing the same defensive approach and sealed his fate in a masterful way.