Test your basketball IQ with the ultimate NBA Finals history quiz
Test your basketball IQ with the ultimate NBA Finals history quiz
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are tied with 17 NBA championships apiece. The Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors are the next most successful franchises with six championships each, while the San Antonio Spurs have logged five ‘chips.
We’ve compiled an NBA Finals history quiz of a dozen questions to determine your Finals MVP credentials in the realm of trivia.
NBA FINALS HISTORY QUIZ
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Question 1
What team holds the record for the most points in a Finals game?
A
Detroit Pistons
B
Philadelphia 76ers
C
San Antonio Spurs
D
Los Angeles Lakers
E
Boston Celtics
Question 1 Explanation:
The Boston Celtics poured in a mind-numbing 148 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the 1985 Finals. The point total was 33 points above their season average.
Question 2
What franchise won the most consecutive road games in the Finals?
A
Los Angeles Lakers
B
Detroit Pistons
C
San Antonio Spurs
D
Miami Heat
E
Boston Celtics
Question 2 Explanation:
It took them fourteen years to do it, but the Detroit Pistons won six road games in a row in the NBA Finals from 1990 to 2004.
Question 3
Who holds the record for the most rebounds in an NBA Finals game?
A
Dennis Rodman
B
Elvin Hayes
C
Bill Walton
D
Wilt Chamberlain
E
Bill Russell
Question 3 Explanation:
Incredibly, Bill Russell twice pulled down forty rebounds for the Boston Celtics while playing in the NBA Finals. The first time was on March 29, 1960 against St. Louis and the second time was on April 18, 1962 in an overtime game versus the Lakers.
Question 4
What player has appeared in the most NBA Finals series?
A
Magic Johnson
B
Michael Jordan
C
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
D
Sam Jones
E
Bill Russell
Question 4 Explanation:
Bill Russell appeared in twelve Finals from 1957 to 1969, just one more than his longtime Celtics' teammate Sam Jones. The player with the next most is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with ten Finals appearances from 1971 to 1989.
Question 5
Who had the most consecutive Finals games of 30 or more points?
A
Michael Jordan
B
Jerry West
C
Julius Erving
D
Shaquille O'Neal
E
Elgin Baylor
Question 5 Explanation:
The Lakers' Elgin Baylor put together a remarkable string of thirteen Finals games in which he dropped thirty or more points on the opponent. The streak began on April 9, 1959 against the Celtics and culminated in a game played on April 21, 1963 (also versus the Celtics).
Question 6
Who holds the record for the most steals in an NBA Finals game?
A
Michael Jordan
B
Isiah Thomas
C
Dennis Rodman
D
John Stockton
E
Robert Horry
Question 6 Explanation:
Robert Horry, while playing for the Houston Rockets against the Orlando Magic in 1995, set the standard for thievery in an NBA Finals game with seven steals.
Question 7
What team won five of six NBA titles from 1948-49 to 1953-54?
A
Philadelphia Warriors
B
St. Louis Hawks
C
New York Knicks
D
Minneapolis Lakers
E
Boston Celtics
Question 7 Explanation:
The Lakers established the first NBA dynasty led by their legendary center George Mikan. After moving to Los Angeles, they wouldn't win another title until the 1971-72 season.
Question 8
Who holds the record for the most points in an NBA Finals game?
A
Michael Jordan
B
Wilt Chamberlain
C
Elgin Baylor
D
Jerry West
E
Rick Berry
Question 8 Explanation:
Elgin Baylor set The Finals record for scoring when he poured in 61 points against the Boston Celtics in the 1962 NBA Finals. Michael Jordan and Rick Barry are tied in second place with 55-point performances.
Question 9
Who holds the record for the most assists in an NBA Finals game?
A
John Stockton
B
Magic Johnson
C
Michael Cooper
D
Robert Reid
E
Isiah Thomas
Question 9 Explanation:
Magic Johnson dished out 21 assists while playing against Los Angeles in an 1984 Finals game. Four years earlier, he had served up a rookie record for the Finals with eleven assists.
Question 10
Who is the only player to be named Finals MVP on a losing team?
A
Rick Berry
B
Hakeem Olajuwon
C
Larry Bird
D
Jo Jo White
E
Jerry West
Question 10 Explanation:
At the conclusion of the 1969 NBA Finals a Most Valuable Player for the series was selected for the first time. It was awarded to Jerry West even though his Lakers lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics.
Question 11
How many NBA Finals in the '60s featured the Celtics vs. Lakers?
A
Four
B
Six
C
Seven
D
Five
E
Three
Question 11 Explanation:
The Boston Celtics met the Los Angeles Lakers a total of six times in the NBA Finals during the sixties. Unfortunately for the boys in purple and gold, Boston bested them in every meeting.
Question 12
In 1947, what teams competed in the first BBA (later NBA) Finals?
A
Baltimore Bullets vs. Philadelphia Warriors
B
Minneapolis Lakers vs. Washington Capitols
C
Rochester Royals vs. New York Knicks
D
Minneapolis Lakers vs. Syracuse Nationals
E
Philadelphia Warriors vs. Chicago Stags
Question 12 Explanation:
The Basketball Association of America, which later became the NBA, held its first Finals at the conclusion of its 1946-47 season. Philadelphia easily defeated the Chicago Stags, four games to one.
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Your performance is the equivalent of shooting an air ball.
Ouch, you need to work on your hoops skills.
You need more work on your dribbling skills.
Your performance is on par with Shaq's free throw average.
You're probably not quite ready for an ESPN analyst position.
That's a pretty decent score. Have you considered retaining an agent?
With smarts like that, you should have your own shoe brand.
Truly, a Michael Jordanesque performance!
KEEP THE QUESTIONS COMING
Starr Cards Basketball Card Maker lets you make your own basketball cards on the iPhone and they’re chock full of fun and challenging hoops trivia that goes far beyond what’s covered in our NBA Finals history quiz.
The backside of every card features a Q & A section that draws upon the rich history of the sport and interesting tidbits about its greatest stars. See for yourself what all the hoopla is about with Starr Cards Basketball Card Maker.
Mark Peters2024-04-09T08:38:29-07:00April 10th, 2024|
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