Teams winning game 1 have
more chances of wining the series in the NBA Playoffs, at least that advanced
statistics would enlighten you how crucial a series opener is. It puts your
team ahead of the series and could serve as a stepping stone to clinch a 2-0 lead.
You steal a game on road or you \protect the home court advantage, it doesn't
matter, giving your all is what matters in the grandest stage of NBA playoffs - the
Championship. In this article, we take a look back on NBA Finals Game 1
performances that totally deserves a distinction.
1. Allen "The
Answer" Iverson (2001)
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| After draining a deadly step-back jumpshot over Tyrone Lue, AI walks past his defender . |
The Lakers were 12-0 prior to this game as
they swept all of their opponents from the Western Conference and many
predicted that the Sixers-Lakers series would also end up the same. Iverson
says "no-no" to that as he carried the load to win a game on road by
chipping in a magnificent 48 points(30 of those were produced on the
1st half), 5 steals, and 6 assists giving the Lakers their only loss in that
championship run. The Iverson-led Sixers won 107-101, imagine how Iverson
singlehandedly carried his team with 48 points yet only winning by six. Watch
the epic performance here.
2. Michael "Air"
Jordan (1992)
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| Jordan lit up the scoreboard on the game 1 of 1992 finals by scoring 35 points in the first half. |
Before
the memorable game winner by his airness at Utah called "the shot"
there was this thing they called "the shrug" which transpired on a
championship series against Portland. Analysts thought that Bird-Johnson
rivalry would be relived as two elite guards on their prime battled it out,
Jordan and Drexler respectively, but it would turned out that MJ would own the
series. Game 1 was a taste of MJ's unparalleled greatness setting an NBA Finals
records for most points scored in the first half and shot six three pointers to
set another record which then was broken years later. Jordan dominated the game
in his fashion finishing 39 points and 11 assists in a game 1 blowout against a
future team mate for the Barcelona Olympics, Clyde "the glide"
Drexler. Watch "the shrug" game here.
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