- The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team to erase a 3-1 deficit in NBA Finals history.
- The Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the 2004 NBA Finals.
- The Dallas Mavericks took down the Miami Heat in six games in the 2011 NBA Finals.
The best NBA teams with short championship basketball odds tend to face little resistance on their path to winning a championship.
However, an underdog will sometimes emerge out of nowhere and make serious noise come postseason time.
The 2025 Indiana Pacers are one example, as they knocked off the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games after having just +375 NBA betting odds compared to Cleveland’s +375 heading into the series.
They also took care of the New York Knicks in six games, despite having +125 odds compared to New York’s -150 odds to win the series.
With that said, what are the 10 biggest upsets in NBA Finals history? Let’s take a look.
10 Biggest Upsets in NBA Finals History, Ranked
| Rank | Favourite | Underdog | Series Odds | Year |
| 1 | Los Angeles Lakers | Detroit Pistons | Pistons: (+500), Lakers: (-700) | 2004 |
| 2 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | Cavaliers: (+180), Warriors: (-220) | 2016 |
| 3 | Miami Heat | Dallas Mavericks | Mavericks: (+155), Heat: (-175) | 2011 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics | Celtics: (+120), Lakers: (-140) | 1969 |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Houston Rockets | Rockets: (+130), Magic: (-150) | 1995 |
| 6 | Washington Wizards | Golden State Warriors | Warriors: (+170), Wizards: (-200) | 1975 |
| 7 | Dallas Mavericks | Miami Heat | Heat: (+130), Mavericks: (-150) | 2006 |
| 8 | Philadelphia 76ers | Portland Trail Blazers | Trail Blazers: (+140), 76ers: (-160) | 1977 |
| 9 | Golden State Warriors | Toronto Raptors | Raptors: (+230), Warriors: (-270) | 2019 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Lakers | Detroit Pistons | Pistons: (+100), Lakers: (-120) | 1989 |
What Were the Biggest Upsets in NBA Finals History?
1. Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 2004
The Detroit Pistons took care of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, as their defence, anchored by Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, was too much for the Lakers to handle.
Chauncey Billups was named Finals MVP.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors — 2016
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated a Golden State Warriors squad that finished 73-9, the best record in league history, and became the only team to erase a 3-1 deficit in NBA Finals history.
LeBron James was named Finals MVP.
3. Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat — 2011
The LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh-led Miami Heat were in their first season together, but Dirk Nowitzki had a series of a lifetime to carry a veteran-laden Dallas Mavericks squad to the series win in six games after facing a 2-1 deficit.
Nowitzki was named Finals MVP.
4. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 1969
Bill Russell earned his 11th ring before calling it a career, helping the Boston Celtics take down a Lakers team featuring Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor in seven games.
West was named Finals MVP despite playing for the losing team.
5. Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic — 1995
Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler’s experience helped the Houston Rockets repeat as champions and power through a young Orlando Magic squad featuring O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.
The Magic defeated Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls on their way to the Finals.
Olajuwon was named Finals MVP.
6. Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards — 1975
The Washington Wizards defeated the defending champion Boston Celtics to get to the Finals and were thought to be heavy favourites after going 60-22 in the regular season.
However, they were swept by the Warriors despite winning three of four regular-season matchups.
Rick Barry was named Finals MVP.
7. Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks — 2006
Down 2-0 in the series and by 13 points with nearly six minutes, 30 seconds left in Game 3, Wade and the Miami Heat rallied to win that game and the next three.
Wade was named Finals MVP after averaging nearly 40 points per game from Game 3 to Game 6.
8. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers — 1977
The Philadelphia 76ers boasted All-Stars Julius Erving, George McGinnis, and Doug Collins and held a 2-0 series lead.
However, Bill Walton helped the Portland Trail Blazers rally back to bring home the title.
Walton was named Finals MVP.
9. Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors — 2019
The Golden State Warriors were coming off back-to-back championships, but Kevin Durant played in just one game, aggravating a calf injury in Game 5 that caused him to miss all but 12 minutes of the Finals.
Kawhi Leonard captured the Finals MVP in his lone season with the Toronto Raptors.
10. Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 1989
The Detroit Pistons avenged their Finals loss to the Los Angeles Lakers the year before.
The Lakers were led by Magic Johnson, who won the MVP that season, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, making Detroit’s sweep even more impressive.
Joe Dumars was named Finals MVP.
