Top 10 NBA Finals of the 1990s

The 1990s were arguably the best decade for basketball and their memorable NBA Finals. While the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs each claimed championships during that era, the moments from that decade are something fans will remember forever.

Here are the top 10 NBA Finals of the 1990s.
The Top Ten
1997 NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz

The first Finals meeting between Chicago and Utah had clutch shots, a battle of MVPs, and an iconic performance for the ages. Karl Malone missed two free throws in Game 1, which allowed Michael Jordan to hit the buzzer-beater.

Utah won two of the next three games to even the series heading into a pivotal Game 5. Playing with food poisoning, Jordan scored 38 points and hit another clutch shot to lead the Bulls to a road win.

1994 NBA Finals - Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks

The only Finals of the '90s to go seven games pitted the Rockets against the Knicks, led by the two centers Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing.

Each team split the first four games before New York won Game 5 while most of America was watching the O.J. Simpson chase. Game 6 saw a heroic play by Olajuwon, who blocked John Starks' shot to force a Game 7. In the decisive game, Starks went 2-18 from the field, and the Rockets secured their first NBA Championship.

1998 NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz

In a rematch of the 1997 Finals, the 1998 Finals was the last dance for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. After splitting the first two games in Utah, Chicago blew out the Jazz in Game 3 and held on to a Game 4 victory.

Utah survived elimination in the fifth game, and after a clutch three from John Stockton, they were one minute away from forcing a decisive Game 7.

In the end, the last iconic Chicago Bulls moment for Michael Jordan occurred as he scored the layup, stole the ball from Karl Malone, and hit the championship-clinching shot to beat the Jazz in six games.

1993 NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns

Chicago sought a three-peat as Michael Jordan took on Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. The Bulls stunned Phoenix with two road wins to open the series.

Despite losing a triple-overtime thriller in Game 3, Chicago responded with a Game 4 win, thanks to 55 points from MJ. Phoenix won Game 5 and led by two in the closing seconds of Game 6 before an unexpected hero, Jon Paxson, hit a three-pointer to secure the Bulls' title.

1992 NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Much of the hype surrounded Michael Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler as far as who was the better player.

In Game 1, Jordan answered that question with six threes in the first half in a Bulls rout. The Blazers would take two of the next three games to even the series. Despite losing Game 5, Portland appeared ready to force a Game 7 with a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter.

However, Chicago rallied back and secured their second straight title, marking the third straight stretch in which a team repeated as NBA champions.

1990 NBA Finals - Detroit Pistons vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Having won the 1989 NBA Finals, the Pistons were looking to repeat. Taking on the Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit found themselves facing some adversity after splitting the first two games on their home floor, as they hadn't won in Portland in almost a decade.

Fortunately, Detroit won Games 3 and 4, and thanks to a clutch shot from Vinnie Johnson in Game 5, the Pistons won their second championship in a row.

1991 NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Chicago's first NBA Finals appearance pitted them against the Lakers, led by Magic Johnson. In Game 1, Sam Perkins' clutch three-pointer and MJ's missed game-winner gave LA the early lead.

The Bulls won Game 2 thanks to MJ, and he redeemed himself in Game 3 with a jumper to send the game to overtime, where Chicago emerged victorious. From there, the Bulls ended LA's dreams of Magic's sixth title, winning the series in five games.

1996 NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Seattle SuperSonics

The 72-win Bulls returned to the Finals to meet the Seattle SuperSonics. Chicago raced out to a 3-0 series lead, including a close-fought Game 2 win.

After Seattle won Games 4 and 5 to trail 3-2, momentum seemed to be on their side despite heading back to Chicago. By Game 6, however, the Bulls regrouped and defeated Seattle to clinch their fourth title in six seasons.

1999 NBA Finals - San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks

Despite the NBA lockout shortening the season to 60 games, the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs, with Tim Duncan and David Robinson, reached the NBA Finals where they met the surprising eighth-seeded New York Knicks, who were without Patrick Ewing.

The first four games lacked thrilling moments, as the Spurs jumped out to a 3-1 series lead. However, Game 5 became a classic as the Knicks led by one late in the game before Avery Johnson secured San Antonio's championship with a late-game clincher.

1995 NBA Finals - Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic

This NBA Finals pitted the defending champion Rockets (as a 6th seed), led by Hakeem Olajuwon, against the up-and-coming Orlando Magic, led by Shaquille O'Neal.

Game 1 was an instant classic as the Rockets overcame a 20-point deficit to win, with a little help from four straight missed free throws by Magic guard Nick Anderson. Houston won that first game 120-118, and from that point on, momentum was on their side as they swept the Magic.

Up until that point, the Magic had never played from behind and were seen as overachievers.

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