INTRODUCTION The National Basketball Association NBA began play in 1946 Originally called the Basketball Association of America BAA the league adopted its new name when it merged with the rival National Basketball League NBL in 1949 Its teams have played thousands of games Each year the playoffs provide tense exciting matchups Countless games have come down to the final seconds So what makes a game one of the top 10 of all time The greatest games usually have something big on the line They often feature legendary players remarkable plays or thrilling finishes Some games even have a long-lasting impact on the sport Read on to learn more about the best games in NBA history
10 Elgin Baylor 22 blocks the reverse layup attempt by Boston's Bailey Howell in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals CELTICS CAP A DYNASTY When the 1968-69 regular season ended the Boston Celtics dynasty appeared to be over too The Celtics had won 10 of the previous 12 NBA championships But they entered the 1969 playoffs as the fourth seed in the East after finishing the regular season 48-34 Legendary center Bill Russell was the Celtics player coach He turned 34 that season Star guard Sam Jones was 35 years old The team had gotten older but it still played strong defense and was unselfish As a result Boston upset the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in the playoffs Now the Celtics were back in the NBA Finals against their longtime rivals the Los Angeles Lakers The Celtics had beaten the Lakers in the Finals six times during their amazing run including in 1968. But the Lakers had added star center Wilt Chamberlain to a roster that already featured Hall of Famers Jerry West and Elgin Baylor They were expected to finally end Boston's reign The series went to a winner take all Game 7 in Los Angeles Boston took a 17 point lead in the fourth quarter but the Lakers rallied The Celtics led 103-102 with less than two minutes
remaining when the ball was knocked toward Boston forward Don Nelson His jumper from near the foul line just beat the shot clock The ball kicked high off the back rim and dropped straight into the basket The Celtics held on for a 108-106 win and another title West scored 42 points in a triple-double performance but was again denied an NBA title A few months later Russell retired as player He won a remarkable 11 NBA championships in his 13 seasons including one last unlikely run to the mountaintop in 1969
