As we prepare for Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals, here are the Top 10 Individual Performances in NBA Finals’ Game 5’s over the last 20 years (1991-2011):
10. 2009 Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers)
Closing out Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals, 99-86, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol shared the spotlight to take the series 4-1. Bryant was named Finals MVP for the first time as the Los Angeles Lakers won the first of back-to-back championships.
Player Points Rebounds Blocks Steals
Bryant 30 6 4 2
Gasol 14 15 4 0
9. 2001 Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (Los Angeles Lakers)
Although the Sixers’ Allen Iverson, 2001 NBA MVP, led all players in scoring with 37, the deadly combination of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal overwhelmed the 76ers, 108-96, to close out the series 4-1. O’Neal was the Finals MVP, and the Lakers won the second of three consecutive titles.
Player Points Rebounds Blocks FG’s/Assists
O’Neal 29 13 5 10/18 FG’s
Bryant 26 12 1 6 assists
8. 2004 Ben Wallace (Detroit Pistons)
The Pistons had a balanced attack, but Wallace’s 22 rebounds were the most by any player in the last twenty years in a Finals’ game 5. Wallace dominated the closeout game as the Pistons won the series 4-1. Chauncey Billups won the Finals MVP, and the Pistons captured the crown over the Lakers.
Player Points Rebounds Steals Blocks
Wallace 18 22 3 1
7. 2005 Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
Despite Chauncey Billups’ 34 points and 7 assists, the Spurs won game 5, 96-95, to take a 3-2 lead in the series behind Tim Duncan’s dominance. Duncan won his 3rd Finals MVP and the Spurs nabbed their third title.
Player Points Rebounds Blocks
Duncan 26 19 2
6. 2003 Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
In another masterful game 5 performance, Tim Duncan helped the Spurs take a 3-2 series lead over the New Jersey Nets with a 93-83 victory. The Nets’ Jason Kidd approached a triple double with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it was not enough. The Spurs won the title in six games, and Duncan won the Finals MVP.
Player Points Rebounds Blocks Steals Field Goals
Duncan 29 17 4 1 10/18
5. 1997 Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)—“The Flu Game”
In one of the most memorable Finals’ game 5’s, Jordan overcame food poisoning to add another heroic chapter to his legacy. During timeouts, Jordan had a towel over his head and was visibly exhausted. But, when the game was on, so was Jordan. His iconic performance included a game sealing three-pointer that defeated the Utah Jazz at home, 90-88. The Bulls walked away with another title and Jordan with another Finals MVP.
Player Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks
Jordan 38 7 5 3 1
4. 1994 Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks)
Although the Knicks would ultimately lose the series to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets, the Knicks and Ewing were one game away from winning an NBA title after this victory. In game 5, Ewing’s defensive brilliance helped give the Knicks a 3-2 series lead. His 8 blocks were the most in a Finals’ game 5 in the last twenty years. The Rockets, however, would go on to win the title in seven games behind Finals MVP Hakeem Olajuwon.
Player Points Rebounds Blocks
Ewing 25 12 8
3. 2006 Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat)
In game 5, the Miami Heat edged out a win over the Dallas Mavericks, 101 to 100. The Heat were victorious despite a brilliant shooting performance by Jason Terry, including 35 points on 13/23 from the field and 4/9 from three-point range. Wade was the undisputed star for the Heat, scoring the second most points in a Finals game 5 since 1991.
Player Points Rebounds Assists Steals
Wade 43 4 4 3
Here is Wade’s 43.
2. 1992 Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)
In a competitive series, the Bulls took a 3-2 lead with a 119-106 win over the Portland Trailblazers. Scottie Pippen notched a near triple-double, and Jordan was on fire from the field, shooting over 60%. Jordan’s 46 are the most any player has scored since in a Finals game 5. After six games, Jordan won the Finals MVP, and the Bulls took home the hardware.
Player Points Rebounds Assists Blocks/Steals Field Goals
Jordan 46 5 4 1 block 14/23
Pippen 24 11 9 2 steals 8/15
1. 1991 Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)
Few Finals game 5’s in the last twenty years had as much superstar power as the 1991 NBA Finals. Ervin “Magic” Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen headlined. Jordan and Pippen tied each other for most steals, and “Magic” recorded the only game 5 triple-double in recent history. The Bulls closed out the Finals in this fifth game, pulling away from the Lakers for a 108-101 victory. Jordan won his first Finals MVP, and the Bulls began their epic run of six titles in eight years.
Player Points Rebounds Assists Blocks Steals
Pippen 32 13 7 1 5
Jordan 30 4 10 2 5
Johnson 16 11 20 0 1
Honorable Mention: Most Points in a Game 5 Loss (last 20 years)
Michael Jordan 41 pts (Bulls, 1993)
Kobe Bryant 38 pts (Lakers, 2010)
Paul Pierce 38 pts (Celtics, 2008)
Allen Iverson 37 pts (Sixers, 2001)
Shaquille O’Neal 35 pts (Lakers, 2000)
Latrell Sprewell 35 pts (Knicks, 1999)
Chauncey Billups 34 pts (Pistons, 2005)
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
