As part of the NBA at 50 celebration during the 1996-97 season, Classics Sports Network asked reporters who cover the NBA to select, in order, the 10 Greatest Games in NBA History. From a ballot of more than 50 selections, the top vote-getter was Game 5 of the 1976 Finals between Boston and Phoenix, a triple-overtime thriller won by the Celtics. Finishing a close
second was Game 7 of the 1970 Finals between the Lakers and the Knicks,
best remembered for the inspirational efforts of New York's Willis Reed.
1.Phoenix at Boston (6/4/76)
Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals
The Celtics win, 128-126, in triple OT. Gar Heard sinks a desperation
jumper to send the game into the third overtime. Jo Jo White scores 33
points in 60 minutes of play for the Celtics.
2. Los Angeles at New York(5/8/70)
Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals
The Knicks win their first title, 113-99, after New York center Willis Reed
limps out of the locker room before the game in dramatic fashion. Walt
Frazier has 36 points and 19 assists for the Knicks.
3. Philadelphia at Boston (4/15/65)
Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Division
Finals
"Havlicek stole the ball" was the famous call by Celtics announcer Johnny
Most, as John Havlicek steals 76er Hal Greer's inbounds pass. The Celtics
win, 95-93, and advance to the Finals.
4. Los Angeles at Boston (6/9/87)
Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals
Magic Johnson wins the game for the Lakers, 107-106, with a running hook
shot after Larry Bird's dramatic three-pointer had put the Celtics ahead.
5. Detroit at Boston (5/26/87)
Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference
Finals
Larry Bird steals the inbounds pass from Isiah Thomas and feeds Dennis
Johnson for the winning lay-up as the Celtics beat the Pistons, 108-107.
6. Boston at Los Angeles (5/5/69)
Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals
Don Nelson's jumper bounces high off the back of the rim and in, and the
Celtics win the title, 108-106. After the game, Bill Russell and Sam Jones
both retire as players.
7. St. Louis at Boston (4/13/57)
Game 7 of the 1957 NBA Finals
The Celtics win their first NBA title with a 125-123 double OT win over the
Hawks. Tom Heinsohn scores 37 points and grabs 23 rebounds for the Celtics.
.8. Los Angeles at Philadelphia (5/16/80)
Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals
Rookie Laker guard Magic Johnson steps in at center for the injured Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar and scores 42 points. The Lakers win the game, 123-107, and
the title.
.9. New York at Los Angeles (4/29/70)
Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals
The Knicks win, 111-108, in overtime to go up 2-1 in the series. The
Lakers' Jerry West hits a stunning half-court shot to send the game into
overtime.
10. Atlanta at Boston (5/22/88)
Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference
Semifinals
The Celtics prevail, 118-116, as Dominique Wilkins (47 points, 16 in the
fourth quarter) and Larry Bird (34 points, 20 in the fourth quarter) engage
in a memorable shootout.
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