Over the history, the NBA Finals have been one of the most exciting and highly anticipated events in the world of sports. The best teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences come together to battle it out for the championship trophy and the right to be called NBA champions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the NBA Finals history from the past 10 years.
2012: Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
In the 2012 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat returned to the championship series to face off against the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder. The Heat were led by LeBron James, who had a historic Finals performance, averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. The Heat defeated the Thunder in five games to win their second championship in franchise history.
2013: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the 2013 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of the 2007 Finals. The series was closely contested, with the Heat winning in seven games. LeBron James was once again the Finals MVP after averaging 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game.
2014: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat
In the 2014 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs faced off against the Miami Heat in a rematch of the previous year’s Finals. The Spurs dominated the Heat, winning the series in five games to win their fifth championship in franchise history. Kawhi Leonard was named Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.
2015: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the 2015 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James. The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry and had a historic regular season, winning a record 73 games. However, the Cavaliers shocked the world by defeating the Warriors in seven games to win their first-ever championship. LeBron James was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State
Warriors In the 2016 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the previous year’s Finals. The Warriors were once again led by Stephen Curry. While the Cavaliers had a healthy Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to support LeBron James. The Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series in seven games, winning their first-ever championship. LeBron James was once again named Finals MVP after averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game.
2017: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the 2017 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third consecutive year. The Warriors added Kevin Durant to their already stacked roster, and he proved to be the difference-maker in the series. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in five games to win their second championship in three years. Kevin Durant was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
2018: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the 2018 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth straight year. The Warriors were once again too much for the Cavaliers, sweeping them in four games to win their third championship in four years. Kevin Durant was once again named Finals MVP after averaging 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.
2019: Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors
In the 2019 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors were without Kevin Durant, who suffered a calf injury in the previous series. The Raptors took advantage of Durant’s absence and defeated the Warriors in six games to win their first-ever championship. Kawhi Leonard was named Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
2020: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat
In the 2020 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Miami Heat. The Lakers were led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while the Heat were without their star player, Goran Dragic, due to injury. The Lakers defeated the Heat in six games to win their first championship in ten years. LeBron James was named Finals MVP after averaging 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.
2021: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns
In the 2021 NBA Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks faced off against the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks were led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Suns were led by veteran point guard Chris Paul. The series was closely contested, with the Bucks coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win in six games, winning their first championship in 50 years. Giannis Antetokounmpo was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
2022: Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
Because they had a better regular-season record, the Warriors started the series with the home-court advantage. The series was tied 1-1 after the Celtics won the first game away from home. They took a 2-1 lead after winning their first home game, but the Warriors went on to win the following three games to win the series 4-2. Golden State earned their seventh overall championship and their first championship since 2018. With 17 championships, Boston is still tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history. The NBA Finals were decided in six games for the fourth time in a row.
In conclusion, the NBA Finals of the past decade have provided us with some of the most memorable moments in basketball history. From LeBron James’ iconic block in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals to Kevin Durant’s dagger three-pointer in Game 3 of the 2017 Finals, the Finals have given us some unforgettable plays and performances.
NBA Finals history has also shown us the importance of team chemistry, perseverance, and resilience. The successful championship teams were not just built on individual talents, but also on teamwork, discipline, and sacrifice. The players, coaches, and organizations worked tirelessly to build a culture of excellence, and their hard work paid off with championship titles.
As we look forward to the future of the NBA and the upcoming Finals matchups, we can expect to see even more thrilling basketball moments and iconic performances. The league is in a great position, with a new generation of talented players and teams emerging, and we can’t wait to see what the next decade of NBA Finals has in store for us.