Game Four’s – The Past 10 Years

Revisiting the past 10 Game Fours of the NBA Finals…

1999 – Spurs 96 – Knicks 89
Spurs take 3-1 series lead over Knicks. Twin towers combine for 35 rebounds.

2000 – Lakers 120 – Pacers 118
High scoring affair gave the Lakers 3-1 series lead. Shaq goes for 36 and 21. Reggie hits six three’s on way to 35 points.

2001 - Lakers 100 – Sixers 86
Once again Lakres take a 3-1 series lead in Game Four. Iverson led Sixers an example of how down the east was that year. Beside Iverson the other four starters: Old Mutombo, Aaron McKie, Tyrone Hill, and Jumaine Jones.

2002 – Lakers 113 – Nets 107
Game still brings a tear to my eye as the Lakers finished off the sweep vs. the Nets in Game Four. What struck me most was the way the Lakers celebrated after the game, cold, mildly excited. Also I thought this would be the “breakout” game for Kenyon Martin. Take a look at his line, 35 points 11 rebounds.

2003 – Nets 77 – Spurs 76
Ahh this time the Nets were on the winning side of things in the Finals. They also tied the series at two games a piece with this win. Jason Kidd with his typical line during this time in his career, 16, 9 and 8.

2004 – Pistons 88 – Lakers 80
Pistons take 3-1 series lead. Interesting note: only three different players hit a three pointer in this game, five total three pointers made in the game.

2005 – Pistons 102 – Spurs 71
Though the Spurs won the series, this was a blowout of the biggest kind. Pistons put seven players in double figures. Billups and Lindsey Hunter were the high scorers of the game with 17.

2006 – Heat 98 – Mavericks 74
The Heat tie the series up at 2-2. Wade has a big game with 36 points and 6 rebounds. Wade’s final performance was ranked number 1 in John Hollinger’s finals rankings.

2007 – Spurs 83 – Cavaliers 82
Spurs complete the sweep of the series in Game Four. Duncan has bad shooting night (4-15), Finals MVP Tony Parker finishes with 24 points. Lebron James trying to stave off elimination ends up with 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

2008 – Celtics 97 – Lakers 91
Celtics take 3-1 series lead over the Lakers with come from behind win. Celtics bench outscores the Lakers bench 35-15.

If history is to show us anything it may be this…Five times over the past 10 years a team has taken a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals with a win in Game Four. Could be something to look out for tonight as the Lakers would do just that with a win.

Tags: Finals