5 classic NBA games you can stream on YouTube right now
By Ian Levy
The NBA season has been suspended in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak. If you still need basketball in your life, you can always rewatch these classic games.
The NBA season has been suspended in the wake of the sweeping novel coronavirus outbreak, a decision that the league won’t review for at least 30 days. It’s possible that the schedule is extended and we still get a full or abbreviated version of the playoffs. But in the meantime, no new basketball games will be played. Which is a bummer because many of us are spending a lot more time at home, and with a creeping sense of dread we’d very much like to distract ourselves from.
Thank goodness for the internet and streaming video. If you’d like to keep world-class basketball in your life these next few weeks, here are a few classic games that can be streamed right now.
5. Mavericks at Spurs, Game 7, 2006 Western Conference Semifinals
The stakes here were enormous. Both the Spurs and Mavericks had won 60 games during the regular season but because of the then-quirks of playoff seeding, the two best teams in the Western Conference ended up playing as a No. 1 vs. No. 4 matchup in the second round. The Spurs began the series with homecourt advantage but lost three-in-a-row after winning Game 1. With their backs to the wall, they won the next two games to force a Game 7 at home.
If you’re a Mavs or Spurs fan, this game is probably burned in your memory but if you can’t remember how this one turns out, I won’t spoil it for you. I will tell you it shows off a fully realized version of both teams at their best, with huge performances from Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Also, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan combined for 78 points, 30 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks. It’s two giants and two legendary teams at their very best.