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Often times the Conference championship series can turn out to be more entertaining then the NBA Finals, see 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2012 for some recent examples. So cherish these weeks (especially after Heat/Packers Game 1) because the following fight for the Larry O'Brien Trophy could be a real dud. We scoured NBA Playoff history to find the greatest dogfights for a chance at basketball immortality; so take a gander at the ultimate of the penultimate with the 25 Best Conference Finals'.
**This list only contains series' from 1971 or later after the league realigned from their two division format.**
1971 Eastern Conference Finals
Dates: April 6-April 19, 1971
Teams and result: Baltimore Bullets over New York Knicks in seven games.
This was the third of six consecutive postseasons that these two teams met, yet 1971 was the lone year the Bullets would come out victorious. This one was memorable because it was the last time Earl Monroe played for the Bullets against the team he'd become a (big) star and an NBA champion for. In the deciding game Earl outplayed fellow future Hall of Famer Walt Frazier (a theme in the series) by doubling him in scoring 26 to 13, a game they won by just two points, 93-91.
1975 Western Conference Finals
Date: April 27-May 14, 1975
Teams and result: Golden State Warriors over Chicago Bulls in seven games.
The Warriors were led by Rick Barry who averaged 28.6 ppg in the series and saved his best performances for when Golden State was staring at a deficit. In Game 4, down 2-1, Barry poured in 36 points to capture a 111-106 victory—no one else on the team contributed more than fourteen. Again in Game 6, down 3-2, Barry dropped 36 points in a 86-72 win, and this time no one else on his team topped 13. Whenever you hear "analysts" talk about how great players should come up huge in the biggest games of their careers, this is the type of performance they have in mind.
1973 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: April 15-April 29, 1973
Teams and result: New York Knicks over Boston Celtics in seven games.
This series came in an era where the playoffs ended before summer break. It was a rematch of the 1972 Conference Championship (and a prequel to the 1974 one). In Game 1, the Celtics bombarded the Knickerbockers with a 134-108 drubbing led by Jo Jo White's 30 points. In Game 2, the Knicks returned the favor with a 129-96 beatdown, the worst defeat ever for Boston in the playoffs. After the Knicks took Game 4 in double overtime, the Celtics battled back (including a one point win in the fifth game behind Dave Cowen's 32 points) to force a Game 7. Returning to Boston as the favorites, the Celtics fell just short in a meeting that was closer than the 16-point margin indicated.
1988 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 23-June 4, 1988
Teams and results: Los Angeles Lakers over Dallas Mavericks in seven games.
The Mavs made what at the time was their deepest run in the history of the franchise but ran into a buzzsaw in the reigning champion Lakers. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and league MVP James Worthy went up against Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, and Sam Perkins. After dropping the first two in the Forum, they posted back-to-back double digit wins at home. They then alternated wins with L.A., including an exciting 105-103 home victory in Game 6 to force the final game. Of course, they lost because the Lakers repeated but any series featuring a David versus Goliath battle that goes seven games belongs on our list.
1979 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 4-May 18, 1979
Teams and result: Washington Bullets over San Antonio Spurs in seven games.
In Game 3, Larry Kenon of San Antonio, went from goat to hero by scoring three points in the waning seconds for a 116-114 victory after turning the ball over and missing a free throw with 30 seconds left. The Bullets then fought back from a 3-1 deficit and hit a game winning shot (in Game 7 by Bob Dandridge) to complete the stunning resurrection. The Spurs got off a shot to send the game into an extra frame, but it was blocked by Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes. Blowing a 3-1 lead really sucks but at least if you were a Spur you got to start vacation early.
1993 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 24-June 5, 1993 Teams and result: Phoenix Suns over Seattle Supersonics in seven games.
After years of being surrounded by a not-so-great cast in Philly, Charles Barkley finally had some help after being dealt to the Suns prior to the '92-'93 season. Sir Charles had a crazy triple-double in Game 5 with 43 points, 15 boards and 10 dimes. In Game 7, he put up 44 points and 24 boards, living up to every bit of his MVP season.
On the series he averaged 25.6 PPG and 13.9 RPG against a young and talented, Shawn Kemp whose most stunning stat of the series was his 3.4 blocks per game. The deciding game is also memorable for Phoenix going 57-64 from the line (yes 64) against Seattle's 28-36, a 29-point swing in a 13-point win. Conspiracy buffs stand up.
1976 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 2-May 16, 1976
Teams and result: Phoenix Suns over Golden State Warriors in seven games.
After going 42-40 in the regular season, the Suns shocked everyone by making a deep playoff run that eventually culminated with a six game loss versus the Celtics in the NBA Finals. The highlight of their season was no doubt taking out the defending champ Golden State Warriors who also possessed the NBA's best record.
After a Game 4 133-129 victory in double overtime, the Suns scored the final 14 points (eight of those by Keith Erickson who also sent the game to overtime with a mid- range bucket with two seconds left). The Warriors then answered by taking the crucial fifth game 111-95. Their best chance was to take the Suns out in six. Golden State clung to a 104-103 lead late in the game but with 12 seconds left Suns center Alvan Adams hit a layup and his teammate Gar Heard blocked the potential series ending dagger. The Suns then polished off Game 7 on the road 94-86.
1987 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 19-May 30, 1987
Teams and result: Boston Celtics over Detroit Pistons in seven games.
This series was an offensive explosion with both teams scoring over 100 in every game, with the lone exception being Detroit in Game 1. They made up for it by going for 145 (including 25 by Vinnie Johnson off the bench) in the fourth game to even the series. In Game 5, Larry Bird scored 36 points and iced the game by stealing Isiah Thomas's inbounds pass and giving it to Dennis Johnson for a layup with a second left to win by one.
Detroit bounced back for Game 6 to set up a (literally) sweltering Game 7 in Boston Garden that approached 90 degrees because of no air conditioning. The Celtics finished strong and sealed the series with a 117-114 win.
2012 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 28-June 9, 2012
Teams and result: Miami Heat over Boston Celtics in seven games.
After an easy victory in the opening contest (without Chris Bosh who wouldn't return until Game 5), the Heat were pushed to OT in Game 2 by a surprisingly spry Celtics squad (these guys were supposed to be "old") led by Rajon Rondo's 44 points. Boston took Game 3 and then Game 4 in OT to even up the series. They then took it a step further as the "Old" Big Three refused to pass the torch by taking Game 5 94-90, with KG posting a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double and Paul Pierce contributing with a clutch three late in the game right in the face of the "Chosen One."
In the end, the Heat prevailed with two double digit victories, but this battle gave them the fortitude to punch back after dropping Game 1 to the Thunder in the Finals, and also got LeBron to about one-eighth of the championships he promised to deliver to South Beach.
1982 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 9-May 23, 1982
Teams and results: Philadelphia 76ers over Boston Celtics in seven games.
The first game was a rout with the Celtics popping Philadelphia in the mouth by 40 points. But the Sixers answered by running off three straight wins including a 99-97 thriller in Game 3. After the Celtics tied the series 3-3, Philly was headed into Boston's lion's den. They answered the bell. Dr. J and Andrew Toney combined for 63 points to stun the Celtic faithful. In the closing minutes, the Boston Garden crowd chanted "Beat L.A., Beat L.A." in an inspiring example of unification over hatred for another.
1994 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 24-June 5, 1994
Teams and result: New York Knicks over Indiana Pacers in seven games.
This series wasn't necessarily "tight" but it did feature some of the more memorable playoff moments in "recent" history. With the teams tied 2-2 going into Game 5, Reggie Miller had the greatest quarter of his professional life, going off for 25 points including some very long threes, after putting up just six points in the first three periods. It was also memorable because of Miller's jawing at Spike Lee in a feud that inspired a 30 for 30 documentary. After the Knicks took the next match, Game 7 became memorable as well. Patrick Ewing went off for 24 and 22, peaking with a dunk to put them ahead for good with 26 seconds left.
2009 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 20-May 30, 2009
Teams and result: Orlando Magic over Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.
LeBron was going to get a nationally televised crack at Kobe for basketball supremacy. The only thing in his way? The No. 3 seeded Orlando Magic who just got through a grueling semifinal against Boston while James and company relaxed after sweeping Atlanta. In Game 1, Orlando had a big comeback, outscoring Cleveland 59-43 in the second half, to win by a single point. And would've taken Game 2 if LeBron didn't hit a buzzer beating three.
In the third matchup, the Cavs let the Magic get an edge in the series despite 41 from LeBron. In Game 4, the Magic lived up to their name and won a shootout 116-114 in OT. LeBron's triple-double in Game 5 helped Cleveland stave off death for two more days until Dwight's boys ended the series in six essentially putting the dream matchup of the two heirs to Jordan's throne on a (probably) permanent hold.
1996 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 18-June 2, 1996
Teams and result: Seattle Supersonics over Utah Jazz in seven games.
This was basically the Reign Man and the Glove versus The Mailman and John Stockton fighting for a chance to get their asses kicked by the 72-win Bulls. After Seattle won a tight Game 4 88-86 to take a 3-1 lead, the Jazz fought back and won the next two ballgames (smoking the Sonics 118-83 in Game 6) to even it up.
That set the stage for a climactic Game 7 that surely got some nerves frazzled in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle came back, played well and pulled away late to prevail 90-86. Don't fret Utah fans, it was just a year early, you would eventually get your chance to lose to Michael and Scottie (two times).
1995 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 23-June 4, 1995
Teams and result: Orlando Magic over Indiana Pacers in seven games.
After losing in the 1994 Conference Finals, the Pacers were set to make amends. Orlando took two of the first three matchups heading into Game 4, which was one of the most exciting finishes in any game of any sport, ever. With 15.3 seconds left, Orlando's Brian Shaw hit a three-pointer, countered by Reggie Miller hitting his own to regain the lead with 5.2 tics left, that was then immediately followed with yet another trey from Penny Hardaway with 1.3 left. But then Rik Smits dumped in the game winner as time expired. 11 points, 15.3 seconds, four lead changes, utter madness.
Orlando got over it quickly with a two-point victory a couple days later. Indiana was able to take Game 6, but then the Magic knocked them out with a 24-point win at home to take the conference, only to get skunked in the Finals (that's what we were referring to in the intro when we said Conference Finals are sometimes better then the last round).
1999 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 30-June 11, 1999
Teams and result: New York Knicks over Indiana Pacers in six games.
Half a decade after being denied a shot at the title in a Jordanless Eastern Conference, the Pacers got a chance for vengeance over their tormentors from the nation's largest market.
Games 1 and 2 were decided by a total of five points and resulted in a split. Game 3 was decided by one after Larry Johnson electrified MSG with a controversial four-point play; it was the type of play that could demoralize a team but Indy came back strong the next game with a 12-point victory. The Knicks then dominated the fourth quarters of Games 5 and 6, giving the eight seeded New Yorkers, in a strike shortened season, an invitation to the NBA Finals, while the Pacers missed yet another opportunity for Reggie to get a ring.
1979 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 1-May 17, 1979
Teams and result: Seattle Supersonics over Phoenix Suns in seven games.
Seattle got off to a 2-0 lead, then dropped three straight to the Phoenix Suns who were as hot as a...some sort of star that gives a planet life, can't think of it right now. In Game 6, Phoenix had their boot on Seattle's throat but like a serial killer with a heart of gold, let them go. They got dominated on the glass getting edged 43-27 in rebounds. All those extra putback opportunities gave Seattle a one-point road win.
Two days later they capped it at home, under the shadow of the Space Needle with a four-point triumph, led by a career high 33 points from Jack Sikma to go along with his 11 boards and two clutch free throws with a couple of seconds left. The series was so close that the total points for each crew combined were Seattle: 718 to Phoenix's: 717, with only two games decided by a two figured margin.
1993 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 23-June 4, 1993
Teams and result: Chicago Bulls over New York Knicks in six games.
The Knicks were actually favored over the two-time defending champ Chicago Bulls. After taking the first game, things popped off when John Starks threw down "The Dunk" to cap a 2-0 series lead. But the '90s Bulls are lionized for a reason, and they showed us why by winning the next two contests easily.
In Game 5, the Knicks had a great chance to retake the series lead but it was denied (four times) when Charles Smith got his game winning putback(s) rejected again and again and again and again. Game Six was an eight point victory for the Bulls; they had their chance to three-peat. So did they? You should already know that.
1988 Eastern Conference
Date: May 25-June 3, 1988
Teams and result: Detroit Pistons over Boston Celtics in six games.
It was a rematch of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals with Detroit seeking revenge for what Boston had done to them the previous year. In a true "back and forth" series the two squads alternated wins in the first five games. The reason it makes this list is because Games 2 (where three Celtic starters had double-doubles in a winning effort) and 3 (where the Pistons were led by Joe Dumars' 29 points) were both decided by four points.
Game 4 saw the Celtic defense dominate in the fourth quarter, holding Detroit to 10 points and winning by one to make the series even heading back home. Detroit took Game 5 in overtime, behind a 35-point outburst from Isiah Thomas. Game 6 ended with the Celtics rallying ferociously like a corned weasel from a deficit in the final quarter, but ultimately they came up short. This one was made all the more special because they knocked off Larry Bird's Boston squad that had won the Eastern Conference title four seasons in a row.
2007 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 21-June 2, 2007
Teams and result: Cleveland Cavaliers over Detroit Pistons in six games.
LeBron made it this deep into the playoffs at 22 in just his fourth year against a fundamentally sound Pistons squad that was making their fifth (of six) consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 1, the Cavs lost a defensive battle 79-76 in the final seconds when 'King James' opted to pass to teammate Donyell Marshall instead of taking a three to tie it; James finished the game with just 10 points. If you heard the analysts nightly postgame rabble-rousing you'd think LeBron had lost the entire game himself.
He then did what a superstar is supposed to do, he shut some 'talking head' asses. In the final few minutes of regulation and throughout overtime of Game 5, he scored 25 straight points in a textbook example of a "one man team," which helped (that's an understatement) the Cavs pull off a 109-107 double overtime victory on the Pistons' home court. In the final moments, Chauncey Billups missed a shot at the buzzer that would've sent it to triple OT. After that, Game 6 was a cinch. LeBron won his first conference title, which meant we no longer had to hear about him. Oh wait, never mind.
1995 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 22-June 1, 1995
Teams and result: Houston Rockets over San Antonio Spurs in six games.
This series shocked the Spurs who had the league's best record and were 15 games up on the Rockets when the final regular season buzzer sounded. The Rockets had also gone to the maximum amount of games in their first two playoff series.
But when the ultimate Western Conference showdown was played (not on paper), Hakeem Olajuwon completely clowned regular season MVP David Robinson in a bout between marquee centers. 'Big Shot" Rob Horry hit a game winning three for Houston in the first verse of the series with 6.5 seconds left. The Rockets then easily won Game 2 making a sweep look entirely possible, but the Spurs won two straight games in Houston to make this battle of Texas interesting.
Alas, the Rockets creamed San Antonio in Game 5 and in a tight Game 6, 'The Dream' had 39 points and 17 boards, helping Houston pull out a five-point squeaker. In the epilogue Hakeem proceeded to spank a young Shaq in the NBA Finals for a repeat title season. In a league lacking a Bulls team with a fully focused MJ the Rockets were king.
1990 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 20-June 3, 1990
Teams and result: Detroit Pistons over Chicago Bulls in seven games.
The last series Michael lost before he went off (although you could argue he "went off" in this series with 32.1 PPG). In this rematch of the 1989 Conference Championship, the Pistons' homecourt advantage proved to be invaluable as every game in the series was won by the home team. In the decisive Game 7, Detroit amassed a 48-33 lead. Chicago came out with some ferocity but Detroit's veteran presence was too strong and they beat the young Bulls 93-74 (with Jordan pouring in 31 of those as Scottie only scored two points).
1998 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: May 17-May 31, 1998
Teams and result: Chicago Bulls over Indiana Pacers in seven games.
The 1998 Eastern Conference Finals was the first time since 1990 (which we just covered) that the dynasty known as the '90s Bulls was pushed to an elimination game in the Conference Finals. After the Bulls took the first two contests, the Pacers won Game 3 and then Reggie Miller hit a (controversial) game winning three-pointer in Game 4 with 0.7 seconds left to avoid a 3-1 deficit and capped the moment with an iconic celebration. After Chicago won Game 5 by 19, the Pacers played tight at the end of Game 6 to force a seventh game. (Did you follow all that?)
In the final game (after Jordan guaranteed a victory), the Pacers amassed a 13-point lead early but found themselves down by four as the fourth quarter rolled around. No doubt a loss would've been a stain on Jordan's legacy, and with the Pacers fighting harder then any team, many in the Chicago crowd must have been wondering if the Bulls had gotten old. And then Michael did what he built his name on, he "willed" his team to a victory, showing a competitive fire that people will still reference 50 years from now.
2000 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 20-June 4, 2000
Teams and result: Los Angeles Lakers over Portland Blazers in seven games.
Portland held a 15-point lead after the third quarter to make a 3-1 comeback seem all but assured, when they suddenly went ice cold and missed 13 straight shots. This all built up to this play, arguably the most famous "oop" in NBA history; it sealed the Blazers' fate in dignity stealing fashion. The Lakers then went on to go 34-7 in their next 41 playoff games, and won three consecutive titles.
2002 Western Conference Finals
Date: May 18-June 2, 2002
Teams and result: Los Angeles Lakers over Sacramento Kings in seven games.
Three of those seven losses came against an exciting, Chris Webber led, Sacramento squad in a series that is surrounded by controversy. Disgraced ref Tim Donaghy's main evidence that the best-of-7 was fixed was the fact that, in Game 6, L.A. shot 27 free throws in the 4th quarter to Sacramento's nine. We admit it's fairly compelling as it appeared every suspect freaking call in the final quarter went the Lakers way.
The NBA wanted a Game 7 and they got a Game 7 complete with 16 ties and 19 lead changes (at least it was entertaining). Sacramento fought hard against both the reigning champs and (apparently) the NBA establishment but in the end had to be kicking themselves for going 16-30 at the charity stripe and 2-20 from downtown. Making any of those shots would've prevented this from becoming the only Game 7 OT in Conference Finals history and would've given them a "shot" (no pun intended, no wait actually it is) at being the first time the Kings would have a shot at a title since they moved to Sacramento.
But let it not overshadow what a great series this (still) was. It featured three of the most dominant players (Webber, Shaq and Kobe) all mashed in a showdown that was the true championship. After all everyone knew the winner would be able to handle the Eastern Conference winning New Jersey Nets. It was also a series that helped establish how "clutch" Robert Horry is come playoff time. Sorry Sacramento fans, if you wanted to go to the Finals you should've lived in a bigger city.
1981 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: April 21-May 3, 1990
Teams and result: Boston Celtics over Philadelphia 76ers in seven games.
It was a rematch of 1980 battle and a prelude to the '82 series. How close was it? Five of the seven meetings were decided by two points or less (including all of the final four).
The Sixers had Boston on the ropes three separate times (complete with double digit leads) in this series and in all three failed to finish the job. Philly just couldn't, for their playoff lives, close the door, as Boston always roared back and won the fourth quarter. You can argue the Sixers were a team of chokes or you could argue the Celtics had the heart of a champion by never giving up.
Game 6 was especially frustrating as Andrew Toney (who hit the winning free throws in Game 1) was blocked by Kevin McHale with a chance to put the series on ice. Opportunities like that don't come along too often. But then in Game 7 they had another chance with 29 seconds left in regulation Maurice Cheeks missed a free throw that would've tied the ball game.
This had to be as aggravating as babysitting quintuplets if you were a Sixers fan, but that's sometimes the shit you have to deal with in the playoffs. #seewhatwedidthere?