Top 3 Finals rematches in NBA history

For the second consecutive year, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs will meet in the NBA Finals to determine the league's champion. The rematch is the first since 1998 and the 13th all-time, which makes for the perfect opportunity to rank the top-three Finals rematches in NBA history.

3. 1968-69: Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals seven times between 1959 and 1969, with Los Angeles losing all seven series. It was the 1969 Finals that stung the most for the Lakers, though, as they were considered heavy favorites due to the star power of Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West. 

Despite splitting the first six games, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke was so convinced that his team would win the series that he placed flyers on every seat of The Forum that read: "When, not if, the Lakers win the title, balloons [inscribed 'World Champion Lakers'] will be released from the rafters, the USC marching band will play 'Happy Days Are Here Again' and broadcaster Chick Hearn will interview [Lakers stars] Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain in that order."

The title instead went to the Celtics, who became the first team in NBA history to win Game 7 of the Finals on the road.

2. 1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics vs. Washington Bullets

The Bullets won their first and only NBA championship in 1978, defeating the SuperSonics in seven games. The two teams would meet again the following season, but this time, it was Seattle's turn to take home the title.

Save for Seattle's offseason addition of veteran power forward Lonnie Shelton, both rosters remained intact for the 1979 rematch. The SuperSonics lost the opening contest 99-97, but won next three to take a 3-1 series lead. 

In Game 5, Gus Williams made two free throws in the final 12 seconds to secure the series victory for the SuperSonics, giving Seattle its first professional sports championship since the Metropolitans' 1917 Stanley Cup victory.

1. 1997-98: Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz

The defending-champion Bulls went 62-20 during the 1997-98 season, tying the Jazz for the top mark in the league. 

The Bulls cruised through the first two rounds, sweeping the New Jersey Nets 4-0 before topping the Charlotte Hornets 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They were pushed to the brink of elimination in the Conference Finals, but defeated the Indiana Pacers 88-83 in Game 7 to secure their sixth Conference championship.

In the Finals, the Bulls faced the Jazz for the second consecutive year. Utah had home-court advantage by virtue of its 2-0 season-series record, and won Game 1 by a score of 88-85. Chicago won the next three games, but was unable to close out the series in Game 5.

Game 6 would be Michael Jordan's last in a Bulls uniform - and he went out in style, knocking down the series-winning jumper with 5.2 seconds remaining.