As we prepare for Sunday night’s critical Game 5 between the Heat in the Spurs, it’s worth taking a look back through history to see how things have gone down in similar situations.
John Schuhmann of NBA.com gives us the goods.
Game 5 results with Finals tied 2-2, since 1985 (winner in CAPS)
Year | Away | Score | Home | Score | Series result |
1985 | Boston | 111 | L.A. LAKERS | 120 | L.A. in 6 |
1988 | L.A. Lakers | 94 | DETROIT | 104 | L.A. in 7 |
1992 | CHICAGO | 119 | Portland | 106 | Chicago in 6 |
1994 | Houston | 84 | NEW YORK | 91 | Houston in 7 |
1997 | CHICAGO | 90 | Utah | 88 | Chicago in 6 |
2003 | SAN ANTONIO | 93 | New Jersey | 83 | San Antonio in 6 |
2005* | SAN ANTONIO | 96 | Detroit | 95 | San Antonio in 7 |
2006* | Dallas | 100 | MIAMI | 101 | Miami in 6 |
2010 | L.A. Lakers | 86 | BOSTON | 92 | L.A. in 7 |
2011 | Miami | 103 | DALLAS | 112 | Dallas in 6 |
* Game 5 went to overtime
A few notes:
- Home court advantage is minimal when the two best teams are fighting to win a game that puts them one step away from the title. Six of the 10 contests have been won by the home team, four by the visitors. However, when the visiting team has won, it’s gone on to win the championship at home every single time.
- The importance of winning Game 5 cannot be understated, as seven of the 10 teams that did went on to win the championship.
- Four times out of these 10, the series went all seven games. The Game 5 winner went just 2-2 in those deciding contests.
- The Heat and the Spurs are no strangers to being in this situation. Each team has been here twice before, with the Spurs winning Game 5 in both 2003 and 2005 on the way to titles in both years. The Heat won their Game 5 battle in 2006 before securing a championship, but lost Game 5 (and later, the title) to Dallas in 2011.