The Crucible of Champions: The Most Dramatic Finals in NBA History

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
Did you know that this NBA final was decided by one mistake? This is Meta World Peace, and with the 2010 finals on the line, he saved Kobe Bryant with this shot.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:11)
Bryant looking.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:12)
Our test, that's a three. Lakers by six with a minute to play.

**SPEAKER_1** (0:19)
But that's only one of the five most dramatic NBA finals I'm gonna show you. But first, let's talk about the 2005 NBA finals, because not only did this final go to game seven, but it had two of the most well-balanced teams in the NBA. And in game one, Tim Duncan and Manu Dhanobili would shock the whole world when they would drop 50 points and win the opening game 84 to 69 Yeah, that opening had the whole world shook, and things didn't get much better in game two. In fact, it became much worse, because Manu and Duncan would once again prove that the Pistons were no match for the Spurs. But even with all of that, the Pistons knew they couldn't get swept, so ahead of game three, this happened.

**SPEAKER_4** (0:59)
He stops and gets it blocked from behind, and also the... What are they going to call this? Technical foul.

**SPEAKER_2** (1:07)
Well, keep an eye on it. Now watch to the right of your screen.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:10)
See, there's the hit right there on the hand. Other Spurs, Duncan and Parker in double third. This is Tony leading with 17

**SPEAKER_2** (1:18)
Junxie Phillips from downtown. A mismatch with Duncan.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:22)
And then Junoblee throws it away.

**SPEAKER_2** (1:28)
What a great move to negate Duncan's shot blocking ability.

**SPEAKER_1** (1:33)
Yeah, and by game four, the Pistons would keep the momentum going, because they straight up humiliated the Spurs, beating them 102 to 71, the only three-digit score throughout the series. But despite all of this, the series was still tied, and ahead of game five, the stakes were at an all-time high. Because not only would game five go into overtime, it would all be decided by this shot.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:55)
Here's Janoblo.

**SPEAKER_2** (1:58)
For three. Oh, unbelievable. This guy is off the charts.

**SPEAKER_1** (2:03)
Now, while the Spurs learned from their previous mistakes, this would be far from over, because in game six, the Pistons would secure the W, forcing it to a do-or-die game seven. Duncan still had one final game to shut everyone up.

**SPEAKER_2** (2:26)
We have Prince on Timmy Duncan. Two on the shot clock, and from the corner, it's Duncan.

**SPEAKER_7** (2:32)
Most valuable player trophy to none other than Tim Duncan.

**SPEAKER_1** (2:37)
Imagine winning the championship in a game seven and winning the finals MVP. Yeah, Tim Duncan has done a lot more than he's getting credit for, but this next one made it all the way to game seven, yet the only thing people talk about is one shot. See, heading into the 2013 NBA finals, the Miami Heat were riding high, reigning champs and top seed from the East. While the Spurs came in as a second seed in the West, but even though they weren't top seed, they had something else. Forward championships in 14 years, and in game one, that experience would be a blessing in disguise.

**SPEAKER_3** (3:07)
Duncan with his one foul on LeBron James. Drives, layup, good. Parker again, gets in the paint, and the finish.
James banks it in. How do you stop that? Now Bosz has him. Parker on the drive, nearly lost it, still dribbling.

**SPEAKER_2** (3:27)
Parker with two to shoot.

**SPEAKER_3** (3:29)
Just gets it off the time, and he banks it in!

**SPEAKER_6** (3:32)
What a shot from Parker!

**SPEAKER_3** (3:35)
Gets off his feet and puts San Antonio up four.

**SPEAKER_1** (3:38)
Yeah, LeBron's triple double meant nothing against the Spurs, but with a few tweaks, the Heat would turn it all around in game two. But with the third game rolling around, the Heat wouldn't believe it. Because not only were they blown out by the Spurs 113-77, the Spurs dropped 16 three-pointers.

**SPEAKER_4** (3:54)
Parker finds Leonard.

**SPEAKER_3** (3:56)
Leonard a three-pointer. Neil slips, gets it to Green, hits a three.

**SPEAKER_6** (4:02)
Terrific defender, like Paul George.

**SPEAKER_2** (4:06)
Oh, Danny Green again.

**SPEAKER_3** (4:08)
Blocked by Bosch. That was close to a goaltend, Green. Danny Green, an NBA Finals record.

**SPEAKER_1** (4:15)
Now eventually, the Heat's big three would get their act together, combining for 85 points to win game four, leaving the series tied 2-2. But that didn't stop the Spurs from taking the lead in game five. And after an amazing series, the Spurs were seconds away from winning at all in game six, when Ray Allen did this.