Top five NBA games of the 2010's to re-watch during quarantine

Josh Ricker
Mar 23, 2020
3 min read

Let's face it. We are all missing sports right about now. They are such a big part of our everyday life, and we probably took it for granted a little bit. I know I did. Watching the NBA or Premier League was such a routine occurrence for me, I never took the time to appreciate it.

Luckily, many providers and channels are now posting full game clips on YouTube for us fans to enjoy, so let me recount a handful of the best NBA games of the 2010's to go and watch while we sulk on our couches during this dreadful quarantine. Enjoy.

#5: Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz (April 13th, 2016)

This game is easily one of the best of the past decade, and maybe even of all time. It was the late, great Kobe Bryant's last NBA game against their Western Conference rivals, the Utah Jazz. With playoffs out of the question for the Lakers, the game had no meaning in the standings, but did have such a big impact on many basketball fans, including myself.

I loved Kobe more than life itself. He was my childhood hero, and this game was his final curtain call. The Black Mamba went off for 60 points in his final game, a feat nobody has came close to before. To make it better he led the Lakers back in the 4th quarter, as they outscored the Jazz 35-21, and capped the night off with a Jordan Clarkson slam. Classic.

#4: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks (December 29th, 2011)

Going back to the beginning of the decade is a classic back-and-forth game between the Mavs and Thunder. Dirk and KD trading buckets, is there anything more to ask for? Both of these teams were absolutely fucking loaded. This was the winter after Dallas had beat Miami in the finals and had Dirk, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Lamar Odom, and Delonte West. The Thunder still had Durant, Westbrook and Harden, making it a meeting of superstars.

The game was capped off by a KD buzzerbeater that nobody can really forget. I watched the game with my dad, and watching the OKC fans erupt at the buzzer is sight that still has not left my mind. Check it out.

#3: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat (March 18th, 2013)

The height of the Boston and Miami rivalry saw this regular season game become a highlight in Lebron's career dunk reel. It will be remembered for the King's thunderous alley oop over Celtics player Jason Terry, but really was a special game for many other reasons.

Lebron went off for 37, while Chalmers, Wade and Bosh combined for 50. Veteran Jeff Green led the Celtics with an astounding 43 points, in Ray Allen's tumultuous return to Beantown. Miami's fourth quarter surge was enough to beat Boston by two, as they cruised to an NBA championship for the second straight season.

#2: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics (June 16, 2010)

One of the most special games in my memory, is Kobe taking on the Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals. After being dismantled by the men in green two years prior, it was time for the Lakers revenge. And what is better than a game of this magnitude. It will not be remembered for being a fundamentally great basketball game, but Lakers vs Celtics, Game 7, NBA Finals, you cannot ask for more.

The teams traded leads but unlikely heroes Metta World Peace and Derek Fisher connected on two three pointers in the fourth quarter that ultimately sunk Doc Rivers' team. The game gave Kobe his fifth ring, and second without the likes of Shaq.

#1: Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers (June 19th, 2016)

Another game seven match-up, this one still proves to be one of the most memorable games of the decade, and in Cleveland sports lore. The Cavs beat the stacked Golden State Warriors 93-89, and allowed Lebron to finally win a championship for the city of Cleveland.

His block on Andre Iguodala in the fourth quarter is a sports moment that is simply unforgettable. A Kyrie Irving three-pointer sealed the game, and the state of Ohio rejoiced in celebration.