Kori Ellis
06-19-2005, 01:06 PM
Greatest Moments: Game 5 Finals Heroics
(w/series tied, 2-2)
A look at some of The Finals’ most memorable performances in the pivotal Game Five:
2003: Tim Duncan
Duncan scores a game-high 29 points (10-18 FGA, 9-10 FTA) with 17 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 46 minutes in Spurs’ 93-83 win at New Jersey. Spurs win series in six, Duncan named Finals MVP.
1997: Michael Jordan
Flu-ridden Jordan pours in a game-high 38 points (13-27 FGA, 10-12 FTA, 2-4 from Downtown) with seven boards and five assists in 44 minutes to lead Bulls to 90-88 win at Utah. Bulls win series in six, Jordan named Finals MVP.
1992: Michael Jordan
Jordan scores 46 points – his second-highest scoring Finals game – on 14-23 FGA, 16-19 FTA and 2-4 from Downtown, adding five rebounds and four assists in 42 minutes in Bulls’ decisive 119-106 win at Portland. Bulls win series with come-from-behind triumph in Game Six, Jordan named Finals MVP.
1985: Kareem, Magic and Big Game James
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores a game-high 36 points, James Worthy adds 33 and Magic Johnson has 26 points and 17 assists in Lakers’ 120-111 win over Celtics at the Forum. Lakers win title in Game Six at Boston, Kareem named Finals MVP.
1984: Celtics
Larry Bird scores 34 points on 15-of-20 shooting and grabs 17 rebounds as Celtics win in Boston, 121-103. Celtics won the series with Game Seven 111-102 win at Boston, Larry Bird named Finals MVP.
1981: Cedric Maxwell
Maxwell notches game highs in points (28 on 10-13 FGA, 8-10 FTA) and rebounds (15, including seven offensive) in Celtics’ 109-80 rout of Rockets at Boston. Celtics win series in six, Maxwell named Finals MVP.
1977: Walton, Mo and Bobby
Bill Walton hauls in 24 rebounds with 14 points, Maurice Lucas scores 20 points with 13 boards and unheralded Bobby Gross scores a team-high 25 points (10-13 FGA, 5-5 FTA) in just 25 minutes as Blazers stun Sixers, 110-104 at the Spectrum. Blazers take a 3-2 series lead after losing the first two games, and it’s the first win for a road team in the series. . .Blazers clinch title with wild Game Six win at Portland, Walton named Finals MVP.
1976: Glenn McDonald!! Glenn McDonald!!
Literally the last man on the Celtics’ bench, McDonald scores eight points (3-5 FGA, 2-2 FTA) in the third overtime to lift Boston to 128-126 win over Suns in 3OT classic at the Boston Garden. Celtics win series in Game Six at Phoenix, Jo Jo White – who scored a game-high 33 points in Game Five -- named Finals MVP.
1970: That Old Knicks Magic
With Knicks trailing LA 25-15 late in the first quarter, Willis Reed crumbles to the floor w/thigh injury. Knicks regroup and use a 1-3-1 lineup to throw a defensive blanket over the Lakers the rest of the way. Knicks force 30 turnovers and hold Wilt Chamberlain to four points in the second half, and Jerry West to no FGM in the second half. Walt Frazier scores 21 points with 12 assists, while Cazzie Russell (20 pts) and Dave Stallworth (12) come off the bench to play huge roles in Knicks’ 107-100 win at MSG. Reed returns for Knicks’ title clincher in Game Seven, and is named Finals MVP.
(w/series tied, 2-2)
A look at some of The Finals’ most memorable performances in the pivotal Game Five:
2003: Tim Duncan
Duncan scores a game-high 29 points (10-18 FGA, 9-10 FTA) with 17 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 46 minutes in Spurs’ 93-83 win at New Jersey. Spurs win series in six, Duncan named Finals MVP.
1997: Michael Jordan
Flu-ridden Jordan pours in a game-high 38 points (13-27 FGA, 10-12 FTA, 2-4 from Downtown) with seven boards and five assists in 44 minutes to lead Bulls to 90-88 win at Utah. Bulls win series in six, Jordan named Finals MVP.
1992: Michael Jordan
Jordan scores 46 points – his second-highest scoring Finals game – on 14-23 FGA, 16-19 FTA and 2-4 from Downtown, adding five rebounds and four assists in 42 minutes in Bulls’ decisive 119-106 win at Portland. Bulls win series with come-from-behind triumph in Game Six, Jordan named Finals MVP.
1985: Kareem, Magic and Big Game James
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores a game-high 36 points, James Worthy adds 33 and Magic Johnson has 26 points and 17 assists in Lakers’ 120-111 win over Celtics at the Forum. Lakers win title in Game Six at Boston, Kareem named Finals MVP.
1984: Celtics
Larry Bird scores 34 points on 15-of-20 shooting and grabs 17 rebounds as Celtics win in Boston, 121-103. Celtics won the series with Game Seven 111-102 win at Boston, Larry Bird named Finals MVP.
1981: Cedric Maxwell
Maxwell notches game highs in points (28 on 10-13 FGA, 8-10 FTA) and rebounds (15, including seven offensive) in Celtics’ 109-80 rout of Rockets at Boston. Celtics win series in six, Maxwell named Finals MVP.
1977: Walton, Mo and Bobby
Bill Walton hauls in 24 rebounds with 14 points, Maurice Lucas scores 20 points with 13 boards and unheralded Bobby Gross scores a team-high 25 points (10-13 FGA, 5-5 FTA) in just 25 minutes as Blazers stun Sixers, 110-104 at the Spectrum. Blazers take a 3-2 series lead after losing the first two games, and it’s the first win for a road team in the series. . .Blazers clinch title with wild Game Six win at Portland, Walton named Finals MVP.
1976: Glenn McDonald!! Glenn McDonald!!
Literally the last man on the Celtics’ bench, McDonald scores eight points (3-5 FGA, 2-2 FTA) in the third overtime to lift Boston to 128-126 win over Suns in 3OT classic at the Boston Garden. Celtics win series in Game Six at Phoenix, Jo Jo White – who scored a game-high 33 points in Game Five -- named Finals MVP.
1970: That Old Knicks Magic
With Knicks trailing LA 25-15 late in the first quarter, Willis Reed crumbles to the floor w/thigh injury. Knicks regroup and use a 1-3-1 lineup to throw a defensive blanket over the Lakers the rest of the way. Knicks force 30 turnovers and hold Wilt Chamberlain to four points in the second half, and Jerry West to no FGM in the second half. Walt Frazier scores 21 points with 12 assists, while Cazzie Russell (20 pts) and Dave Stallworth (12) come off the bench to play huge roles in Knicks’ 107-100 win at MSG. Reed returns for Knicks’ title clincher in Game Seven, and is named Finals MVP.