1995 Western Conference Semifinals: Rockets vs. Suns
The 1995 Western Conference Semifinals between the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns featured an unforgettable comeback. With Charles Barkley leading the Suns, they managed to secure a 3-1 lead in the series.
- The Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, faced elimination.
- Houston battled back to win Game 5 by a narrow margin of 103-97.
- Game 6 saw the Rockets clinch a 116-103 victory.
- In Game 7, Mario Elie’s "Kiss of Death" three-pointer sealed a 115-114 win, sending the Rockets to the conference finals.
2002 Western Conference Finals: Lakers vs. Kings
The 2002 Western Conference Finals showcased a dramatic and controversial series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. The Kings held a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6.
- Robert Horry’s buzzer-beater in Game 4 shifted momentum.
- The Lakers faced elimination in Game 6 but won 106-102, highlighted by Kobe Bryant’s and Shaquille O’Neal’s performances.
- Game 7 went into overtime, with the Lakers emerging victorious 112-106.
2016 NBA Finals: Cavaliers vs. Warriors
The 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors is one of the most remarkable comebacks in NBA history. The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, had a 3-1 series advantage.
- LeBron James and Kyrie Irving spearheaded the Cavaliers’ resurgence.
- In Game 5, James and Irving both scored 41 points, leading to a 112-97 win.
- Game 6 saw another dominant performance by James, contributing to a 115-101 victory.
- Game 7, held in Oakland, featured a crucial block by James on Andre Iguodala and a three-pointer by Irving, resulting in a 93-89 win and the Cavaliers’ first championship.
2004 Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers vs. Spurs
The 2004 Western Conference Semifinals saw the Los Angeles Lakers facing the San Antonio Spurs. This series delivered an iconic moment with Derek Fisher’s unforgettable shot.
- The Spurs held a 2-0 series lead before the Lakers won the next two games.
- Game 5 featured Tim Duncan’s incredible fadeaway to put the Spurs ahead by one point.
- In the final 0.4 seconds, Fisher’s miraculous shot gave the Lakers a 74-73 victory.
- The Lakers proceeded to win Game 6, thus clinching the series 4-2.
These epic comebacks are a testament to the resilience and determination of some of the greatest teams in NBA history. For more detailed analyses and coverage of NBA events, visit ArenaPlus.