Saturday, November 2, 2024

All-time sweeps at the NBA Finals: Will Celtics add another?

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The Boston Celtics are one game from winning their 18th NBA championship. They’re up 3-0 in their series with the Dallas Mavericks. How often do sweeps happen at this pivotal point of the season? Let’s take a look at similar situations throughout NBA Finals history.

2017-18: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Champion: Golden State Warriors

Finals MVP: Kevin Durant (35.2 / 8.2 / 5.4)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: LeBron James (591)

REB: Kevin Love (191)

AST: LeBron James (141)

2006-07: San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Champion: San Antonio Spurs

Finals MVP: Tony Parker (24.5 / 5.0 / 3.3)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: LeBron James (501)

REB: Tim Duncan (229)

AST: LeBron James (159)

2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Jersey Nets

Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

Finals MVP: Shaquille O’Neal (36.3 / 12.3 / 3.8)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Shaquille O’Neal (541)

REB: Shaquille O’Neal (239)

AST: Jason Kidd (182)

1994-95 Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic

Champion: Houston Rockets

Finals MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon (32.8 / 11.5 / 5.5)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Hakeem Olajuwon (725)

REB: Shaquille O’Neal (250)

AST: Anfernee Hardaway (162)

1988-89 Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Champion: Detroit Pistons

Finals MVP: Joe Dumars (27.3 / 1.8 / 6.0)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Michael Jordan (591)

TRB: Dennis Rodman (170)

AST: Magic Johnson (165)

1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Champion: Philadelphia 76ers

Finals MVP: Moses Malone (25.8 / 18.0 / 2.0)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (406)

REB: Moses Malone (206)

AST: Magic Johnson (192)

1974-75 Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Bullets

Champion: Golden State Warriors

Finals MVP: Rick Barry (29.5 / 4.0 / 5.0)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Rick Barry (479)

REB: Wes Unseld (276)

AST: Kevin Porter (124)

1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Baltimore Bullets

Champion: Milwaukee Bucks

Finals MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27.0 / 18.5 / 2.8)

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Earl Monroe (397)

TRB: Wes Unseld (339)

AST: Oscar Robertson (124)

1958-59 Boston Celtics vs. Minneapolis Lakers

Champion: Boston Celtics

Playoff leaders:

PTS: Elgin Baylor (331)

REB: Bill Russell (305)

AST: Bob Cousy (119)

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