Simulated 1953 NBA Finals

 1952

 

Real World: A rewind of 1952, the Lakers beat the Knicks in the Finals for their 4th title in 5 years.

East Semis: Celtics d. Nationals (2-0)

                    Pistons d. Royals (2-1)

West Semis: Pistons d. Royals (2-1)

                     Lakers d. Olympians (2-0)

  

Simulation: There wont be a repeat team in this year's finals; Rochester beat Syracuse in '52 and both of those squads got bounced in the semis this year.  

East Finals: New York Knicks (47-23) v. Boston Celtics (46-25)

West Finals: Minneapolis Lakers (48-22) v. Ft Wayne Pistons (36-33)

East Finals, March 1953  

Game 1 (MSG): Celtics 101 Knicks 81

-Bob Cousy rocks MSG, 27 points/10 assists/6 boards.  Ed Macauley has 25 points and 10 rebounds and the Celtics cruise in game 1.  18 rebound game for Nat Clifton in the loss.

Game 2 (Boston Garden): Celtics 94 Knicks 86

-Boston is a game from the NBA Finals. 29 points and 7 rebounds for Cousy. Macauley has 18 points, 9 boards, 7 assists.  Connie Simmons has 17 pts/7 rebounds in the loss.

Game 3 (MSG): Knicks 106 Celtics 89

-The Knicks stay alive. Vince Boryla leads the way with 22; a near triple double for Dick McGuire, 10 pts/9 boards/9 assists. 17 for Bob Donham in the loss.

Game 4 (Boston): Celtics 96 Knicks 75

-The Celtics crush the Knicks and head to the NBA Finals.  Ed Macauley wins the series MVP, 26 pts, 11 boards, 5 assists.  Bob Harris goes 17 pts, 13 boards.  18 pts for Connie Simmons in the loss.

West Finals, March/April 1953

Game 1 (Minneapolis): Lakers 82 Pistons 80

-George Mikan drills an 8 footer with 2 seconds left and the Lakers escape with the win.  20 pts/9 boards for Mikan, 15/11 for Jim Pollard.  10 pts/12 boards for Larry Foust in the loss.

Game 2 (Minneapolis): Lakers 105 Pistons 83

-Easier game 2 for Minneapolis; 27 points, 11 boards for Mikan. 21/11 for the other future Hall of Famer, Vern Mikkelsen.  13/12 for Foust.  

Game 3 (Ft Wayne): Lakers 93 Pistons 90

-Mikan scores 29, 11 boards and wins the series MVP.  21/10 for Foust in the loss.  

We get the first of what is likely many Lakers/Celtics matchups in '53.

NBA FINALS, April 1953  MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS v. BOSTON CELTICS

Lakers

HC - John Kundla

C George Mikan (28) -1st Team All NBA

F Vern Mikkelsen (24) - 2nd Team All NBA

F Jim Pollard (30)

G Slater Martin (27)- All Star

G Pep Saul (28)

Celtics

HC - Red Auerbach

C Ed Macauley (24) - 1st Team All NBA

F Chuck Cooper (26)

F Bob Harris (25)

G Bob Cousy (24) - 1st Team All NBA

G Bill Sharman (26) - 2nd Team All NBA

Game 1 (Minneapolis) Lakers 113 Celtics 109

-In a series featuring multiple future Hall of Famers, it's George Mikan who strikes first.  Mikan's 28, with only 1 1/2 seasons left in his career; he scores 31 with 13 rebounds. Vern Mikkelsen is also headed to the Hall, he goes 17/11. Huge game as well for two of the Celtics future Hall of Famers, Ed Macauley had 30 pts, 11 boards, 6 assists. Bob Cousy 25 pts, 10 assists, 5 rebounds. 

Game 2 (Minneapolis) Lakers 91 Celtics 89

-Boston led by 13 through 3 qtrs, it wasn't until a minute was left in the game that a Mikkelsen dunk tied the score. Macauley missed 2 FTs in the Celtics next trip and with two defenders draped all over him Mikan dropped in a 12 footer at the buzzer to give the Lakers the 2-0 series lead.  30 points, 15 rebounds for Mikan as his dominant postseason run continues. 24 year old Bob Cousy does it all for Boston, 22 pts, 13 rebounds, 5 assists.  

Game 3 (Boston) Celtics 101 Lakers 96

-Boston gets the first game on their home floor.  Cousy with a near triple double, 26 pts, 10 boards, 8 assists. Macauley and Bill Sharman add 22 apiece. George Mikan has the best finals game in the short history of the NBA in the loss, 25 points/25 rebounds.  

Game 4 (Boston) Celtics 106 Lakers 89

-The Celtics even the series at 2.  23 points/9 assists/7 rebounds for Cousy. Mikan has 17 points/15 rebounds/7 assists and 4 blocks in the loss - he does have 8 turnovers however, the Celtic defense finally making its mark.  

Game 5 (Boston) Lakers 102 Celtics 77

-The Lakers are a game from their second NBA Title; Mikan bounces back with his 3rd 30 pt game of the series, going 32/15.  Bob Brannum has a double/double for the Celtics in the loss. Tough game for Ed Macauley, going 5 for 14 from the floor with 9 turnovers.  

Game 6 (Minneapolis) Celtics 118 Lakers 108

-We will head to game 7.  Cousy with the first ever finals triple double, 33 pts, 10 rebounds, 10 assists.  Macauley almost has one of his own, 22 pts, 11 rebounds, 8 assists.  Bill Sharman scores 24.  Mikan remains a monster, 27/16.  Mikkelsen has 22/10 of his own.

One more game - we stay in Minneapolis and for the second straight year, the NBA Finals heads to game 7.

Game 7 (Minneapolis) Celtics 109 Lakers 99

-The Boston Celtics win games 6 and 7 in Minneapolis to capture their first NBA Championship.  Ed Macauley scores 31 to lead the way - Cousy is the series MVP, 20 points, 11 assists, 5 steals. Mikan closes just an incredible individual Finals with 31 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks.  

NBA Finals History

1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)

1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)

1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)

1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)

1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)

1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)

1953: Boston Celtics d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-3) - MVP: Bob Cousy (PG, 24)

Simulated 1952 NBA Finals

 Using the same simulation engine where I reconstructed every Super Bowl Champion, I'm going to do every NBA Finals.  My current plan is to go from the conference finals forward each year, so replaying 3 series for each season, expanding it even one more round really adds to the games played in a way that isn't manageable.

The first year of the simulation engine is the '51-52 season, the Lakers were the first NBA Champions (1950, after a merger of two associations created the NBA). The Rochester Royals won in '51, taking us to 1952.

Real Result: The Lakers win their second NBA Title, beating the Knicks in 7. 

East Semis: Knicks d. Celtics (2-1) 

                    Nationals d. Warriors (2-1)

                     

West Semis: Lakers d. Olympians (2-0)

                     Royals d. Pistons (2-0)

East Finals: New York Knicks (37-29) v. Syracuse Nationals (40-26)

West Finals: Minneapolis Lakers (40-26) v. Rochester Royals (41-25)

April, 1952: East Finals: Game 1: Nationals 93 Knicks 83

Red Rocha with 20 pts and 9 boards for Syracuse, they take game 1 of a best of 5 at home. Ray Lumpp paced the Knicks off the bench with 21 points. 

                                           Game 2: Nationals 103 Knicks 94

The Knicks had 7 in double figures but still drop game 2 on the road. 22 points/13 rebounds for Dolph Schayes. 10 points/15 rebounds for Nat Clifton in the loss.  

                                            Game 3: Knicks 103 Nationals 94

The Knicks stay alive, winning at home. Nat Clifton again dominates the glass with 18 boards. Ernie Vandeweghe led Knicks scoring with 22. 24 points/13 rebounds for Dolph Schayes, Paul Seymour added 20.

                                           Game 4: Knicks 105 Nationals 87

We get a showdown game 5 in the first series of the simulation, the Knicks had 5 in double figures. 16 points/7boards/5 assists for Vandeweghe. 16/11 for Schayes in the loss.  We head back to Syracuse for the final game of the series.

                                           Game 5: Nationals 108 Knicks 99

The first series of the simulation flips the result, the Syracuse Nationals head to the NBA Finals. 18 points/17 boards/5 assists for the series MVP Dolph Schayes. 17 points/10 rebounds for Red Rocha.  13 points/13 boards for Nat Clifton in the loss.  

March/April, 1952: West Finals:       Game 1: Royals 92 Lakers 87

The home team wins game 1; 22 for Bobby Wanzer, 17 points/16 boards for Arnie Risen, George Mikan goes 24/10 and Jim Pollard 20/10 in the loss for the Lakers. 

                                                              Game 2: Royals 109 Lakers 85

The Royals blow out the Lakers to take a 2-0 lead. 25 points/10 boards for Bob Davies. 15 and 18 for Jack Coleman. Jim Pollard goes for 20/8 in the loss.

                                                               Game 3: Royals 100 Lakers 99

The defending champs sweep the Lakers and return to the NBA Finals. The Lakers had a 14 point lead with 11 minutes to play. Bob Davies did not score in the real game 3 - but here, he hits a driving layup as time expired to end the Lakers season.  15 points/9 assists for Davies, named the series MVP. 20 points/10 boards for Jack Coleman. Vern Mikkelsen went 25/10 and George Mikan 27/16 for the Lakers.

1952 NBA FINALS (April)     ROCHESTER ROYALS v. SYRACUSE NATIONALS

Rochester

HC - Les Harrison

C Arnie Risen (27) - All Star

F Jack Coleman (27)

F Arnie Johnson (31)

G Bob Davies (32) - 1st Team All NBA

G Bobby Wanzer (30) - 2nd Team All NBA

Syracuse

HC - Al Cervi

C Red Rocha (28) - All Star

F Dolph Schayes (23) - 1st Team All NBA

F Wally Osterkorn (23)

G George King (23)

G Paul Seymour (24)

Game 1: Royals 112 Nationals 109 (OT)

-The first NBA Finals game of the simulation is also the first OT game. Huge game for Arnie Risen, 33 pts/16 rebounds.  Bob Davies scores 27 in 25 minutes.  8 Nationals in double figures, 17 points/16 rebounds for Dolph Schayes. Davies scored the last 5 for the Royals.

Game 2: Royals 97 Nationals 88

-Rochester takes the first two games at home. 19 pts/12 rebounds for Arnie Risen, 21 points for Bobby Wanzer. 19/10 for Schayes.

Game 3: Nationals 89 Royals 87

-The series shifts to Syracuse and the Nationals get the win. Down 1 with 30 seconds left, Dolph Schayes wins the game with a 14 footer.  20/10 for Schayes.  16/19 for Risen with 5 blocks.  

Game 4: Nationals 99 Royals 94

-Syracuse squares the series. 16/16 for Schayes.  17/11 for Risen in the loss.  2 future Hall of Famers, 23 year old Schayes and 27 year old Risen battling it out; Risen's Royals trying to go back to back.

Game 5: Nationals 108 Royals 91

-The first road win, the Nationals thumping the Royals.  Red Rocha is the hero in this one; 28 points/13 boards.  Jack Coleman goes 16/10 for Rochester.  We head to Syracuse where the Nationals have a chance to close this out.

Game 6: Royals 84 Nationals 78

-The Royals force game 7 back in Rochester.  16 points/7 assists/5 rebounds for Bobby Wanzer; a 15 rebound day for Coleman.  Schayes goes 15/19 in the defeat.  We go back to Rochester for Game 7.

Game 7: Royals 93 Nationals 84

-The Rochester Royals go back to back.  Jack Coleman wins the Finals MVP, really coming through in the last 3 games, 20/11 in this one.  Schayes held to 10 points in the loss.   

NBA Finals History

1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)

1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)

1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)

1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)

1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)

1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)

November, 2025 Athlete of the Month

 October

 

 Myles Garrett.  (Runners-up: Matthew Stafford, Jeremiah Love, Jaxon Smith Njigba)

11 months in, one to go in the race for 2025 Athlete of the Year.

January-Patrick Mahomes

February-Jalen Hurts

March-Alysa Liu

April-Alex Ovechkin

May-Aaron Judge

June-Shai Gilgeous Alexander

July-Scottie Scheffler

August-A'ja Wilson

September-Cal Raleigh

October-Shohei Ohtani

November-Myles Garrett

Every World Series Winner Ranked (1-121)

 ELO/SRS with era adjustment are the inputs, not a subjective ranking.  Through 2025.

 

1. 1939 New York Yankees                  106-45-1                                           (d. Reds 4-0)

2. 1998 New York Yankees                  111-48                   11-2                     (d. Padres 4-0)

3. 2022 Houston Astros                        106-56                   11-2                     (d. Phillies 4-2)

4. 1942 St Louis Cardinals                   106-48-2                                           (d. Yankees 4-1)

5. 1927 New York Yankees                   110-44-1                                           (d. Pirates 4-0)

6. 1970 Baltimore Orioles                    108-54                  7-1                        (d. Reds 4-1)

7. 2018 Boston Red Sox                       108-54                  11-3                      (d. Dodgers 4-1)

8. 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates                     110-42-2                                            (d. Tigers 4-3)

9. 1975 Cincinnati Reds                        108-54                  7-3                       (d. Red Sox 4-3)

10. 1910 Philadelphia Athletics            102-48-5                                            (d. Cubs 4-1)

11. 1905 New York Giants                    105-48-2                                            (d. A's 4-1)

12. 1937 New York Yankees                 102-52-3                                            (d. Giants 4-1)

13. 1907 Chicago Cubs                         107-45-3                                            (d. Tigers 4-0-1)

14. 1911 Philadelphia Athletics             101-50-1                                           (d. Giants 4-2)

15. 1936 New York Yankees                  102-51-2                                           (d. Giants 4-2)

16. 1932 New York Yankees                  107-47-2                                           (d. Cubs 4-0)

17. 1944 St Louis Cardinals                   105-49-3                                           (d. Browns 4-2)

18. 1953 New York Yankees                  99-52                                                 (d. Dodgers 4-2)

19. 1976 Cincinnati Reds                       102-60                   7-0                       (d. Yankees 4-0)

20. 2016 Chicago Cubs                           103-58-1               11-6                    (d. Indians 4-3)

21. 1929 Philadelphia Athletics              104-46-1                                           (d. Cubs 4-1)

22. 2007 Boston Red Sox                        96-66                    11-3                    (d. Rockies 4-0)

23. 1912 Boston Red Sox                        105-47-2                                          (d. Giants 4-3-1)

24. 1938 New York Yankees                    99-53-5                                            (d. Cubs 4-0)

25. 1961 New York Yankees                    109-53-1                                         (d. Reds 4-1)

26. 2002 Anaheim Angels                        99-63                   11-5                    (d. Giants 4-3)

27. 1919 Cincinnati Reds                         96-44                                              (d. White Sox 5-3)

28. 1941 New York Yankees                    101-53-2                                         (d. Dodgers 4-1)

29. 1908 Chicago Cubs                            99-55-4                                           (d. Tigers 4-1)

30. 1948 Cleveland Indians                      97-58-1                                           (d. Braves 4-2)

31. 1950 New York Yankees                    98-56-1                                           (d. Phillies 4-0)

32. 1986 New York Mets                         108-54                   8-5                     (d. Astros 4-2)

33. 2009 New York Yankees                    103-59                   11-4                   (d. Phillies 4-2)

34. 2013 Boston Red Sox                         97-65                    11-5                   (d. Cards 4-2)

35. 1917 Chicago White Sox                    100-54-2                                          (d. Giants 4-2)

36. 1935 Detroit Tigers                             93-58-1                                            (d. Cubs 4-2)

37. 1956 New York Yankees                     97-57                                               (d. Dodgers 4-3)

38. 2004 Boston Red Sox                         98-64                   11-3                     (d. Cards 4-0)

39. 1915 Boston Red Sox                         101-50-4                                          (d. Phillies 4-1)

40. 1947 New York Yankees                     97-57-1                                            (d. Dodgers 4-3)

41. 1968 Detroit Tigers                             103-59-2                                          (d. Cards 4-3)

42. 1999 New York Yankees                     98-64                    11-1                    (d. Braves 4-0)

43. 1928 New York Yankees                     101-53                                             (d. Cards 4-0)

44. 1954 New York Giants                        97-57                                               (d. Indians 4-0)

45. 2019 Washington Nationals                93-69                    12-5                    (d. Astros 4-3)

46. 1989 Oakland A's                                99-63                    8-1                      (d. Giants 4-0)

47. 1952 New York Yankees                     95-59                                               (d. Dodgers 4-3)

48. 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers                 98-64                    11-5                    (d. Yankees 4-1)

49. 1931 St Louis Cardinals                      101-53                                             (d. Athletics 4-3)

50. 1951 New York Yankees                     98-56                                               (d. Giants 4-2)

51. 1978 New York Yankees                     100-63                  7-3                      (d. Dodgers 4-2)

52. 1984 Detroit Tigers                             100-58                  7-1                       (d. Padres 4-1)

53. 1930 Philadelphia Athletics                100-52                                             (d. Cards 4-2)

54. 1920 Cleveland Indians                       98-56                                               (d. Robins 5-2)

55. 1946 St Louis Cardinals                      98-58                                               (d. Red Sox 4-3)

56. 1983 Baltimore Orioles                       98-64                    7-2                      (d. Phillies 4-1)

57. 2017 Houston Astros                           101-61                  11-7                    (d. Dodgers 4-3)

58. 1903 Boston Americans                      91-47-3                                            (d. Pirates 5-3)

59. 1921 New York Giants                        94-59                                               (d. Yankees 5-3)

60. 1923 New York Yankees                     98-54                                                (d. Giants 4-2)

61. 1940 Cincinnati Reds                          100-53-2                                          (d. Tigers 4-3)

62. 1943 New York Yankees                     98-56-1                                            (d. Cards 4-1)

63. 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates                       98-64-1                7-3                       (d. Orioles 4-3)

64. 1949 New York Yankees                     97-57-1                                            (d. Dodgers 4-1)

65. 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates                       97-65                    7-4                       (d. Orioles 4-3)

66. 2021 Atlanta Braves                            88-73                   11-5                     (d. Astros 4-2)

67. 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers                      98-55-1                                            (d. Yankees 4-3)

68. 1977 New York Yankees                     100-62                 7-4                       (d. Dodgers 4-2)

69. 1995 Atlanta Braves                            90-54                   11-3                     (d. Indians 4-2)

70. 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers                  93-69                  13-4                     (d. Jays 4-3)

71. 1913 Philadelphia Athletics                 96-57                                               (d. Giants 4-1)

72. 1957 Milwaukee Braves                      95-59-1                                            (d. Yankees 4-3)

73. 1972 Oakland A's                                 93-62                  7-5                       (d. Reds 4-3)

74. 1924 Washington Senators                   92-62-2                                           (d. Giants 4-3)

75. 2023 Texas Rangers                             90-72                  13-4                      (d. DBacks 4-1)

76. 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates                        95-58                                                (d. Senators 4-3)

77. 1922 New York Giants                         93-61-2                                            (d. Yankees 4-0-1)

78. 1967 St Louis Cardinals                       101-60                                             (d. Red Sox 4-3)

79. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks               92-70                  11-6                       (d. Yankees 4-3)

80. 1914 Boston Braves                             94-59-5                                             (d. Athletics 4-0)

81. 1958 New York Yankees                      92-62-1                                             (d. Braves 4-3)

82. 1974 Oakland A's                                 90-72                   7-2                        (d. Dodgers 4-1)

83. 1966 Baltimore Orioles                        97-63                                                (d. Dodgers 4-0)

84. 2005 Chicago White Sox                      99-63                  11-1                      (d. Astros 4-0)

85. 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers                  63-47                   10-6                      (d. Yankees 4-2)

86. 2010 San Francisco Giants                   92-70                   11-4                     (d. Rangers 4-1)

87. 2008 Philadelphia Phillies                    92-70                   11-3                      (d. Rays 4-1)

88. 1906 Chicago White Sox                      93-58-3                                            (d. Cubs 4-2)

89. 1934 St Louis Cardinals                       95-58-1                                             (d. Tigers 4-3)

90. 1969 New York Mets                            100-62                 7-1                       (d. Orioles 4-1)

91. 1973 Oakland A's                                  94-68                   7-5                       (d. Mets 4-3)

92. 1918 Boston Red Sox                           75-51                                                (d. Cubs 4-2)

93. 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates                         95-59-1                                            (d. Yankees 4-3)

94. 1993 Toronto Blue Jays                         95-67                  8-4                        (d. Phillies 4-2)

95. 1962 New York Yankees                       96-66                                               (d. Giants 4-3)

96. 2015 Kansas City Royals                      95-67                  11-5                      (d. Mets 4-1)

97. 2012 San Francisco Giants                    94-68                  11-5                      (d. Tigers 4-0)

98. 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers                    99-63-1                                            (d. Yankees 4-0)

99. 1933 New York Giants                          91-61-4                                            (d. Senators 4-1)

100. 1926 St Louis Cardinals                      89-65-2                                            (d. Yankees 4-3)

101. 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers                 97-65                                                (d. Twins 4-3)

102. 1991 Minnesota Twins                        95-67                  8-4                        (d. Braves 4-3)

103. 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers                 94-67-1               8-4                        (d. A's 4-1)

104. 1992 Toronto Blue Jays                       96-66                  8-4                        (d. Braves 4-2)

105. 2011 St Louis Cardinals                      90-72                  11-7                       (d. Rangers 4-3)

106. 1916 Boston Red Sox                          91-63-2                                             (d. Robins 4-1)

107. 1982 St Louis Cardinals                      92-70                  7-3                         (d. Brewers 4-3)

108. 1990 Cincinnati Reds                          91-71                  8-2                         (d. A's 4-0)

109. 1980 Philadelphia Phillies                   91-71                  7-4                         (d. Royals 4-2)

110. 1996 New York Yankees                      92-70                  11-4                       (d. Braves 4-2)

111. 2003 Florida Marlins                            91-71                  11-6                      (d. Yankees 4-2)

112. 2014 San Francisco Giants                   88-74                  12-5                       (d. Royals 4-3)

113. 1997 Florida Marlins                            92-70                   11-5                      (d. Indians 4-3)

114. 1945 Detroit Tigers                               88-65-2                                             (d. Cubs 4-3)

115. 1964 St Louis Cardinals                        93-69                                                (d. Yankees 4-3)

116. 1985 Kansas City Royals                      91-71                  8-6                         (d. Cardinals 4-3)

117. 2000 New York Yankees                       87-74                  11-5                       (d. Mets 4-1)

118. 2006 St Louis Cardinals                        83-78                  11-5                       (d. Tigers 4-1)

119. 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers                   88-68                                                 (d. White Sox 4-2)

120. 1987 Minnesota Twins                          85-77                  8-4                         (d. Cards 4-3)

121. 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers                   43-17                  13-5                       (d. Rays 4-2)

                                   

Every NBA Champion Ranked (1-80)

 

ELO/SRS/NET with era adjustment.  Not subjective.  Through 2026.  

1. 2017 Golden St Warriors                 67-15            16-1         d. Cavs 4-1

2. 1996 Chicago Bulls                         72-10             15-3        d. Sonics 4-2

3. 1997 Chicago Bulls                         69-13             15-4        d. Jazz 4-2

4. 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder         68-14            16-7        d. Pacers 4-3

5. 2015 Golden St Warriors                 67-15            16-5        d. Cavs 4-2

6. 2024 Boston Celtics                         64-18            16-3       d. Mavs 4-1

7. 1986 Boston Celtics                         67-15            15-3        d. Rockets 4-2

8. 1991 Chicago Bulls                          61-21            15-2       d. Lakers 4-1

9. 1992 Chicago Bulls                          67-15             15-7         d. Blazers 4-2

10. 2014 San Antonio Spurs                62-20             16-7          d. Heat 4-1

11. 2000 Los Angeles Lakers               67-15             15-8         d. Pacers 4-2

12. 1987 Los Angeles Lakers               65-17             15-3        d. Celtics 4-2

13. 1998 Chicago Bulls                        62-20             15-6        d. Jazz 4-2

14. 2007 San Antonio Spurs                 58-24             16-4        d. Cavs 4-0

15. 1972 Los Angeles Lakers               69-13             12-3        d. Knicks 4-1

16. 2009 Los Angeles Lakers               65-17              16-7       d. Magic 4-1

17. 2013 Miami Heat                            66-16             16-7        d. Spurs 4-3

18. 2002 Los Angeles Lakers               58-24              15-4        d. Nets 4-0

19. 1983 Philadelphia 76ers                 65-17              12-1        d. Lakers 4-0

20. 1971 Milwaukee Bucks                  66-16              12-2        d. Bullets 4-0

21. 2005 San Antonio Spurs                 59-23              16-7        d. Pistons 4-3

22. 2008 Boston Celtics                        66-16              16-10      d. Lakers 4-2

23. 1967 Philadelphia 76ers                 68-13              11-4         d. Warriors 4-2

24. 1999 San Antonio Spurs                 37-13              15-2         d. Knicks 4-1

25. 1985 Los Angeles Lakers               62-20              15-4         d. Celtics 4-2

26. 2018 Golden St Warriors                58-24               16-5        d. Cavs 4-0

27. 1993 Chicago Bulls                        57-25              15-4         d. Suns 4-2

28. 2026 New York Knicks                  53-29               16-3        d. Spurs 4-1

29. 1989 Detroit Pistons                       63-19              15-2         d. Lakers 4-0

30. 1950 Minneapolis Lakers               51-17              10-2         d. Nationals 4-2

31. 1965 Boston Celtics                       62-18               8-4          d. Lakers 4-1

32. 2003 San Antonio Spurs                 60-22               16-8        d. Nets 4-2

33. 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers               57-25              16-5         d. Warriors 4-3

34. 2012 Miami Heat                            46-20              16-7         d. Thunder 4-1

35. 1990 Detroit Pistons                       59-23              15-5         d. Blazers 4-1

36. 1962 Boston Celtics                       60-20               8-6          d. Lakers 4-3

37. 1970 New York Knicks                  60-22               12-7        d. Lakers 4-3

38. 2004 Detroit Pistons                       54-28               16-7        d. Lakers 4-1

39. 1984 Boston Celtics                       62-20                15-8        d. Lakers 4-3

40. 2022 Golden St Warriors                53-29               16-6         d. Celtics 4-2

41. 2019 Toronto Raptors                     58-24                16-8        d. Warriors 4-2

42. 1960 Boston Celtics                       59-16                 8-5         d. Hawks 4-3

43. 1964 Boston Celtics                       59-21                 8-2        d. Warriors 4-1

44. 2010 Los Angeles Lakers               57-25                12-5        d. Celtics 4-3

45. 2021 Milwaukee Bucks                  46-26                16-7        d. Suns 4-2

46. 2020 Los Angeles Lakers               52-19                16-5        d. Heat 4-2

47. 1949 Minneapolis Lakers               44-16                8-2         d. Capitols 4-2

48. 1980 Los Angeles Lakers               60-22                12-4        d. Sixers 4-2

49. 1973 New York Knicks                   57-25                12-5       d. Lakers 4-1

50. 1981 Boston Celtics                        62-20                12-5       d. Rockets 4-2

51. 2011 Dallas Mavericks                    57-25                12-3      d. Heat 4-2

52. 2001 Los Angeles Lakers                56-26                15-1      d. Sixers 4-1

53. 1963 Boston Celtics                        58-22                8-5        d. Lakers 4-2

54. 1988 Los Angeles Lakers                62-20                15-9      d. Pistons 4-3

55. 1961 Boston Celtics                        57-22                8-2        d. Hawks 4-1

56. 1953 Los Angeles Lakers                48-22                9-3        d. Knicks 4-1

57. 1982 Los Angeles Lakers                57-25                12-2      d. Sixers 4-2

58. 1959 Boston Celtics                        52-20                 8-3       d. Lakers 4-0

59. 1952 Minneapolis Lakers                40-26                9-4        d. Knicks 4-3

60. 1969 Boston Celtics                        48-34                12-6      d. Lakers 4-3

61. 2006 Miami Heat                            52-30                16-7       d. Mavs 4-2

62. 1994 Houston Rockets                    58-24                12-7       d. Knicks 4-3

63. 2023 Denver Nuggets                     53-29                 16-4       d. Heat 4-1

64. 1966 Boston Celtics                        54-26                 11-6      d. Lakers 4-3

65. 1977 Portland Trail Blazers            49-33                 14-5      d. Sixers 4-2

66. 1957 Boston Celtics                        44-28                 7-3        d. Hawks 4-3

67. 1995 Houston Rockets                    47-35                 15-7      d. Magic 4-0

68. 1974 Boston Celtics                        56-26                 12-6      d. Bucks 4-3

69. 1968 Boston Celtics                        54-28                 12-7      d. Lakers 4-2

70. 1954 Los Angeles Lakers                46-26                 9-4        d. Nationals 4-2

71. 1956 Philadelphia Warriors             45-27                 7-3        d. Pistons 4-1

72. 1979 Seattle SuperSonics                52-30                 12-5      d. Bullets 4-1

73. 1975 Golden St Warriors                 48-34                 12-4      d. Bullets 4-0

74. 1976 Boston Celtics                         54-28                 12-6     d. Suns 4-2

75. 1951 Rochester Royals                    41-27                  9-5      d. Knicks 4-3

76. 1948 Baltimore Bullets                    28-20                 9-3        d. Warriors 4-2

77. 1978 Washington Bullets                 44-38                 14-7      d. Sonics 4-3

78. 1955 Syracuse Nationals                  43-29                 7-4        d. Pistons 4-3

79. 1947 Philadelphia Warriors              35-25                 8-2        d. Stags 4-1

80. 1958 St Louis Hawks                       41-31                 8-3        d. Celtics 4-2