Top 5 All Time NBA Playoffs/Finals Moments [VIDEOS]

The so called “big three” in Miami are now only three wins away from a championship title, while The Dallas Mavericks are out to get some revenge on the Heat for stealing their championship title in 2006. Both teams are playing in their second NBA finals in franchise history. Last time they met Dallas went up 2-0 yet the Heat went on to win the final four games to capture its first title in franchise history.

With the NBA finals underway it is time to think back to the top five most memorable moments in NBA playoff history. When compiling this list, I tried to pick moments that either helped or won their team the NBA Championship. There have been a lot of moments, but only a few stuck out that actually jolted their team to the promise land.

Number 5)

Julius Erving’s Ultimate Baseline Scoop Move vs. Lakers; Game 4, 1980 NBA Finals

In the fourth quarter of Game 4, with the Sixers trailing 2-1 in the series, Julius Erving delivered perhaps the ultimate move of his career to help Philly to a 105-102 win. Dr. J drove baseline, elevated, reached back behind the backboard with the ball and somehow emerged on the opposite side of the basket to convert the circus shot. Even though the Sixers would go on to lose to the Lakers in six games, this moment will be forever remembered by those who watch it

Number 4)

Derek Fisher’s 0.4 shot that beat the  defending champions Spurs in game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference semi-finals

This moment I remember vividly, I was sitting down watching the game, because the Timberwolves played the winner of this series. I was screaming at the Spurs saying “THERE GOING TO GIVE IT TO KOBE!” before I knew it, the Lakers won the game, and I was wrong…they didn’t give it to Kobe. Instead Derek Fisher caught the inbounds pass turned around, and threw up a miracle shot to win game 5. Even though the Lakers lost in the NBA Finals, it gives me pain to award this moment on the top 5 list, because maybe if Fisher misses this shot, the Timberwolves’s would have been in the NBA Finals

Number 3)

Reggie Miller explodes for 8-points in 8.9 seconds in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1995 against the Knicks at the famous MSG

This wasn’t, just one moment in particular, it was a series of moments, that would all go to together perfectly within a span of 8.9 seconds to give us one of the greatest moments in play-off history. With 18.7 seconds remaining and the Pacers trailing by six points, Reggie Miller made a three-point shot, and then go on to steal the inbounds pass from Greg Anthony, and would then dribble back to the three-point arc and tied the game with a second three-pointer, stunning the Knicks bench and their fans, and even Spike Lee. On the ensuing possession, Knicks guard John Starks was fouled by Pacer Sam Mitchell. Starks missed both free throws, and although Patrick Ewing managed to rebound the second miss, his shot rattled out. Miller rebounded the ball, was fouled, and made both free throws. Trailing by two points, the New York Knicks had one last chance to tie or win the game, but failed to get a shot off, giving the Pacers a shocking 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Number 2)

Robert Horry 3-Pointer vs. Sacramento; Game 4, 2002 Western Conference Finals

This one was one of my favorite moments, because when you are younger you dream about draining a three-pointer to give your team the win. During the course of a mad scramble under the hoop in the closing seconds, Vlade Divac tries to bat the ball as far away from the basket as possible with the Kings leading by two. The only problem is that he hits it right to a waiting Robert Horry at the three-point line, who calmly drains the game-winning three and sends the Lakers on to Sacramento with the series tied 2-2 instead of trailing 3-1. This one is second on my list, because not only did it win the game, but helped the Lakers move towards capturing their third straight title.

Number 1)

Jordan Jolts Jazz in Game 6

Call it a push or whatever, but there is one thing you can’t argue, and that is how legendary Michael Jordan is. With Game 6 of the NBA Finals on the line, everyone in the Delta Center, Utah Jazz coaches, and players included, knew the ball would end up in his hands. For the Chicago Bulls, too, it was another no-brainer. There was no play to call, no screens to set. It was simple; Get it to '23'. That Michael Jordan is the go-to guy in the last seconds of any close Bulls game is the worst secret in basketball and still it makes no difference. With the clock ticking below 10 seconds, Jazz swingman Bryon Russell occupied Jordan's path to the basket with tight one-on-one defense. But in an instant, Russell fell for a fake, slipped to the floor, and allowed an essentially wide-open Jordan to bury the shot and play the role of hero once again. This moment is number one, because not only was it a game winner, but also it was a championship winner. Only thing we should wonder about this is what if MJ never played baseball? Would we be watching a shot to secure an 8-peat? One can only wonder.