List of NBA champions - wikipedia List of NBA champions This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 6 October 2017. National Basketball Association awards and honors Championship O'Brien Trophy Brown Trophy ( defunct ) Individual awards All - Star Game MVP Bill Russell Finals MVP Coach of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Executive of the Year J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Community Assist Award Most Improved Player Most Valuable Player Rookie of the Year Sixth Man of the Year Sportsmanship Award Twyman -- Stokes Teammate of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Honors All - NBA Team All - Rookie Team All - Defensive Team The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) ( formerly Basketball Association of America ( BAA ) from 1946 -- 49 ) Finals is the championship series for the NBA and the conclusion of the NBA 's postseason. All Finals have been played in a best - of - seven format, and contested between the winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference ( formerly Divisions before 1970 ), except in 1950 in which the Eastern Division champion faced the winner between the Western and Central Division champions. Prior to 1949, the playoffs were instituted a three - stage tournament where the two semifinal winners played each other in the finals. The winning team of the series receives the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. The home - and - away format in the NBA Finals is in a 2 -- 2 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 format ( the team with the better regular season record plays on their home court in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 ) during 1947 -- 1948, 1950 -- 1952, 1957 -- 1970, 1972 -- 1974, 1976 -- 1977, 1979 -- 1984, 2014 -- present. It was previously in a 2 -- 3 -- 2 format ( the team with the better regular season record plays on their home court in Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 ) during 1949, 1953 -- 1955, and 1985 -- 2013, in a 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 format during 1956 and 1971 and in a 1 -- 2 -- 2 -- 1 -- 1 format during 1975 and 1978. The Eastern Conference / Division leads the Western Conference / Division in series won ( 38 -- 32 ). The defunct Central Division won one championship. The Boston Celtics and the Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers alone own almost half of the titles, having won a combined 33 of 70 championships. Contents 1 Trophies 1.1 Walter A. Brown Trophy 1.2 Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy 2 Champions 2.1 BAA champions 2.2 NBA champions 3 Results by teams 4 Notes 5 See also 6 References 7 External links Trophies The original Walter A. Brown Trophy displayed at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Walter a Brown trophy The trophy was originally referred to as the NBA Finals trophy, but was renamed in 1964 after Walter A. Brown, the original owner of the Boston Celtics who was instrumental in merging the BAA and the National Basketball League into the NBA in 1949. The original trophy was awarded to the BAA / NBA champions from 1947 to 1976. The trophy was kept by the winning team for one year and given to the winning team of the following year 's finals, unless the previous team won again, much like the NHL 's Stanley Cup, which continues that tradition to this day. A new trophy design was created for the 1977 NBA Finals, although it retained the Walter A. Brown title. Unlike the original championship trophy, the new trophy was given permanently to the winning team and a new one was made every year. The inaugural winners of the trophy were the Philadelphia Warriors, who defeated the Chicago Stags. From 1957 to 1969, the Celtics won the NBA Finals 11 out of 13 times, including eight consecutive wins. The final winners of the trophy were the Philadelphia 76ers, who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1983 NBA Finals. In 1984, the trophy was renamed the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Larry O'Brien Championship trophy Main article : Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy In 1984, the trophy was renamed to the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, in honor of Larry O'Brien, who served as NBA commissioner from 1975 to 1984. The current trophy is made out of 14.5 pounds of sterling silver and vermeil with a 24 karat gold overlay and stands 2 feet ( 0.61 m ) tall. It is designed to look like a basketball about to enter a net. The year and team names are engraved on the trophies, which are often prominently displayed in the winning team 's arena. The Boston Celtics were the inaugural winners of the renamed trophy, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games ( 4 -- 3 ) in the 1984 NBA Finals. Champions Legend Bold Winning team of the NBA Finals Had or tied for the best regular season record for that season ( # ) Playoff seed BAA champions Year Western Champions Result Eastern Champions Reference 1947 Chicago Stags 1 -- 4 Philadelphia Warriors 1948 Baltimore Bullets 4 -- 2 Philadelphia Warriors 1949 Minneapolis Lakers 4 -- 2 Washington Capitols NBA champions Year Western Champions Result Eastern Champions Reference 1950 Minneapolis Lakers 4 -- 2 Syracuse Nationals 1951 Rochester Royals ( 2 ) 4 -- 3 New York Knicks ( 3 ) 1952 Minneapolis Lakers ( 2 ) 4 -- 3 New York Knicks ( 3 ) 1953 Minneapolis Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 New York Knicks ( 1 ) 1954 Minneapolis Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 3 Syracuse Nationals ( 1 ) 1955 Fort Wayne Pistons ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Syracuse Nationals ( 1 ) 1956 Fort Wayne Pistons ( 1 ) 1 -- 4 Philadelphia Warriors ( 1 ) 1957 St. Louis Hawks ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1958 St. Louis Hawks ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1959 Minneapolis Lakers ( 2 ) 0 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1960 St. Louis Hawks ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1961 St. Louis Hawks ( 1 ) 1 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1962 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1963 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1964 San Francisco Warriors ( 1 ) 1 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1965 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 1 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1966 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 2 ) 1967 San Francisco Warriors ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Philadelphia 76ers ( 1 ) 1968 Los Angeles Lakers ( 2 ) 2 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 2 ) 1969 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 4 ) 1970 Los Angeles Lakers ( 2 ) 3 -- 4 New York Knicks ( 1 ) 1971 Milwaukee Bucks ( 1 ) 4 -- 0 Baltimore Bullets ( 1 ) 1972 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 New York Knicks ( 2 ) 1973 Los Angeles Lakers ( 2 ) 1 -- 4 New York Knicks ( 2 ) Milwaukee Bucks ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) Golden State Warriors ( 1 ) 4 -- 0 Washington Bullets ( 2 ) 1976 Phoenix Suns ( 3 ) 2 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1977 Portland Trail Blazers ( 3 ) 4 -- 2 Philadelphia 76ers ( 1 ) 1978 Seattle SuperSonics ( 4 ) 3 -- 4 Washington Bullets ( 3 ) 1979 Seattle SuperSonics ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 Washington Bullets ( 1 ) 1980 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Philadelphia 76ers ( 3 ) 1981 Houston Rockets ( 6 ) 2 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1982 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Philadelphia 76ers ( 3 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 0 -- 4 Philadelphia 76ers ( 1 ) 1984 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1985 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1986 Houston Rockets ( 2 ) 2 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 1988 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 3 Detroit Pistons ( 2 ) 1989 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 0 -- 4 Detroit Pistons ( 1 ) 1990 Portland Trail Blazers ( 3 ) 1 -- 4 Detroit Pistons ( 1 ) 1991 Los Angeles Lakers ( 3 ) 1 -- 4 Chicago Bulls ( 1 ) 1992 Portland Trail Blazers ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Chicago Bulls ( 1 ) 1993 Phoenix Suns ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Chicago Bulls ( 2 ) 1994 Houston Rockets ( 2 ) 4 -- 3 New York Knicks ( 2 ) 1995 Houston Rockets ( 6 ) 4 -- 0 Orlando Magic ( 1 ) Seattle SuperSonics ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Chicago Bulls ( 1 ) 1997 Utah Jazz ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Chicago Bulls ( 1 ) 1998 Utah Jazz ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Chicago Bulls ( 1 ) 1999 San Antonio Spurs ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 New York Knicks ( 8 ) 2000 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Indiana Pacers ( 1 ) 2001 Los Angeles Lakers ( 2 ) 4 -- 1 Philadelphia 76ers ( 1 ) 2002 Los Angeles Lakers ( 3 ) 4 -- 0 New Jersey Nets ( 1 ) 2003 San Antonio Spurs ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 New Jersey Nets ( 2 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2 ) 1 -- 4 Detroit Pistons ( 3 ) 2005 San Antonio Spurs ( 2 ) 4 -- 3 Detroit Pistons ( 2 ) 2006 Dallas Mavericks ( 4 ) 2 -- 4 Miami Heat ( 2 ) 2007 San Antonio Spurs ( 3 ) 4 -- 0 Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2 ) 2008 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 2 -- 4 Boston Celtics ( 1 ) 2009 Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 Orlando Magic ( 3 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 1 ) 4 -- 3 Boston Celtics ( 4 ) 2011 Dallas Mavericks ( 3 ) 4 -- 2 Miami Heat ( 2 ) 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder ( 2 ) 1 -- 4 Miami Heat ( 2 ) 2013 San Antonio Spurs ( 2 ) 3 -- 4 Miami Heat ( 1 ) 2014 San Antonio Spurs ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 Miami Heat ( 2 ) 2015 Golden State Warriors ( 1 ) 4 -- 2 Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2 ) 2016 Golden State Warriors ( 1 ) 3 -- 4 Cleveland Cavaliers ( 1 ) 2017 Golden State Warriors ( 1 ) 4 -- 1 Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2 ) Results by teams Teams Win Loss Total Year ( s ) won Year ( s ) lost Boston Celtics 17 21 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 1958, 1985, 1987, 2010 Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers 16 15 31 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1991, 2004, 2008 Chicago Bulls 6 0 6 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 -- Philadelphia / San Francisco / Golden State Warriors 5 9 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017 1948, 1964, 1967, 2016 San Antonio Spurs 5 6 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 2013 Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers 6 9 1955, 1967, 1983 1950, 1954, 1977, 1980, 1982, 2001 Fort Wayne / Detroit Pistons 7 1989, 1990, 2004 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005 Miami Heat 5 2006, 2012, 2013 2011, 2014 New York Knicks 6 8 1970, 1973 1951, 1952, 1953, 1972, 1994, 1999 Houston Rockets 1994, 1995 1981, 1986 St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks 1958 1957, 1960, 1961 Baltimore / Washington Bullets / Washington Wizards 1978 1971, 1975, 1979 Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder 1979 1978, 1996, 2012 Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 2007, 2015, 2017 Portland Trail Blazers 1977 1990, 1992 Milwaukee Bucks 1971 Dallas Mavericks 2011 2006 Baltimore Bullets ( original ) ( folded in 1954 ) 0 1948 -- Rochester / Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City / Sacramento Kings 0 1951 -- Phoenix Suns 0 -- 1976, 1993 New Orleans / Utah Jazz 0 -- 1997, 1998 New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets 0 -- 2002, 2003 Orlando Magic 0 -- 1995, 2009 Chicago Stags ( folded in 1950 ) 0 -- 1947 Washington Capitols ( folded in 1951 ) 0 -- 1949 Indiana Pacers 0 -- 2000 Buffalo Braves / San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers -- -- -- Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets -- -- -- Denver Nuggets -- -- -- Minnesota Timberwolves -- -- -- New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans -- -- -- Toronto Raptors -- -- -- Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies -- -- -- Notes Jump up ^ Due to the NBA 's realignment into three divisions, the team with the best regular season record after the Divisional Finals advanced automatically to the NBA Finals while the other two teams faced off in the NBA Semifinals to determine the other finalist. Eastern Division champion Syracuse had the best regular season record among the division champions, causing Central Division ( no relation to the current Central Division ) champion Minneapolis to face Western Division champion Anderson Packers in the NBA Semifinals. Jump up ^ The trophy was renamed for Walter A. Brown. Jump up ^ The trophy was replaced by a new design. Jump up ^ The trophy was renamed for Larry O'Brien. Jump up ^ Due to a lockout, the season did not start until February 5, 1999, and all 29 teams played a shortened 50 - game regular season schedule. Jump up ^ Due to a lockout, the season did not start until December 25, 2011 and all 30 teams played a shortened 66 - game regular season schedule. Jump up ^ Not affiliated with the present - day Washington Wizards who were known as the Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets from 1963 to 1997. See also National Basketball Association portal NBA Playoffs Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award List of NBA Development League champions List of NBA championship head coaches List of NBA players with most championships References Jump up ^ Rosen, Charley ( 2008 ). The First Tip - Off : The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA. Mc - Graw Hill. pp. 211 -- 212. ISBN 0 - 07 - 148785 - 9. Jump up ^ Anderson, Corrie ; Reheuser, Rob ; et al. ( 2006 ). Sporting News Official 2006 -- 2007 NBA Guide. Sporting News Books. ISBN 0 - 89204 - 854 - 9. Jump up ^ Brown, Donald H. ( 2007 ). A Best of Basketball Story. AuthorHouse. pp. 4 -- 5. ISBN 1 - 4343 - 4193 - 3. Jump up ^ `` 1948 -- 49 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1952 -- 53 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1953 -- 54 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1954 -- 55 Syracuse Nationals Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ Ryan, Bob ( June 23, 2005 ). `` Time to turn back clock on format ''. Boston Globe. Retrieved May 14, 2008. Jump up ^ Windhorst, Brian ( October 23, 2013 ). `` Vote is unanimous to change Finals ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 1955 -- 56 Philadelphia Warriors Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1970 -- 71 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1974 -- 75 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1977 -- 78 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011. Jump up ^ Shimberg, Jason ( June 9, 2005 ). `` NBA Finals Trophy : Can You Name It ? ''. docsports.com. Docsports. Retrieved October 30, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Walter A. Brown ''. hoophall.com. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2011. Jump up ^ `` NBA ''. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 27, 2008. Jump up ^ `` NBA Finals history ''. USA Today. June 26, 1999. Retrieved October 31, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lawrence O'Brien ''. hoophall.com. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy ''. NBA.com. National Basketball Association. Retrieved July 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` The trophies ''. St. Petersburg Times. April 10, 2003. Retrieved July 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` NBA Legends Launch 2005 NBA Legends Tour : Destination Finals ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Celtics Win First Bird - Magic Finals Showdown ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Warriors Win Inaugural Finals ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` NBA & ABA Playoffs Series History ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 28 September 2015. Jump up ^ `` Mikan, Lakers Begin Championship Run ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` 1949 -- 50 NBA Season Summary ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 31, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lakers : First Champs of Newly Formed NBA ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Royals Reign, Despite Knicks ' Unlikely Comeback ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lakers Reclaim the NBA Crown ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lakers Unstoppable in Big Apple ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Minneapolis Makes One Last Title Run ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Nats Win First Title of Shot - Clock Era ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Warriors Reign Over League 's 10th Season ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics Officially Launch Their Dynasty ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Pettit Drops 50 on Celtics in Game 6 ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics Sweep Past Minneapolis ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Hawks Force Game 7, But Celtics Repeat ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics Give Sharman Championship Sendoff ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics, Lakers Work OT to Start Rivalry ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Cousy Retires as Six - Time Champion ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Boston ' D ' at Center of Title Defense ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics Win Seventh Straight Finals ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Red Lights Cigar to Close Coaching Career ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Prolific Sixers Bring Ring to Philly ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Boston is Alive and Well ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` West 's Heroics Ca n't Deprive Russell of 11th Title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Gutsy Reed Rallies Knicks in Game 7 ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` ' Big O ' Completes Bucks ' Championship Run ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lakers ' Legendary Season Leads to Elusive Title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Knicks Win One for the ' Aged ' ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics Win First Title of Post-Russell Era ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Barry 's Warriors Produce Epic Upset ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Triple - OT Classic Highlights Boston 's 13th Title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Walton, Lucas Ignite ' Blazermania ' ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` ' Fat Lady ' Sings Victorious Tune for Bullets ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` DJ Leads the Way for Sonics ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Rookie Makes the Lakers Believe in Magic ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Celtics Return to Glory ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lakers ' Arduous Season Ends in Victory ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Moses Helps Dr. J, Sixers Reach Promised Land ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Kareem, Lakers Conquer the Celtic Mystique ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Frontcourt Vaults Celtics to Front of the Pack ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Magic Maneuvers Lakers Past Celtics ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Lakers Capture the Elusive Repeat ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Waiting Game Ends for Impatient Pistons ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Bad Boys Still the Best ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Bulls Finally Get That Championship Feeling ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Repeat is Extra Sweet for Bulls ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Paxson 's Trey Propels Bulls Into NBA History ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Houston 's Championship : Dream Come True ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Rockets Earn Respect With Finals Sweep ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Bulls ' Record - Setting Season Ends in Victory ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` MJ Adds More Finals Heroics to His Legacy ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Jordan 's Jumper Secures Chicago 's Sixth Title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ Donovan, John ( February 4, 1999 ). `` Let the semi-season begin : Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in ' 99 ''. CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 4, 2011. Jump up ^ `` ' Little General ' Marches Spurs to First Title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Shaq Makes Mark in New Millennium ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Take Two for Tinseltown ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` A Sweeping Statement ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` The Storybook Spurs ! ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Motown back at # 1 ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Winning is fundamental ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Wade 's world is Title Town ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Sweeping success : Spurs win it ! ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Return to Glory : Celtics Win NBA Title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 3, 2008. Jump up ^ `` L.A. Finishes Off Magic, Claims 15th Championship ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Revenge ! Lakers outlast Celtics in Game 7 for NBA title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Cuban finally ends silence, emerges as a champion ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2011. Jump up ^ Beck, Howard ( November 28, 2011 ). `` Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams ''. The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 2011 -- 12 NBA Season Summary ''. Basketball - Reference. Retrieved April 21, 2012. Jump up ^ Mahoney, Brian ( June 21, 2012 ). `` Champs ! James ' triple - double lifts Heat to title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015. Jump up ^ Mahoney, Brian ( June 20, 2013 ). `` LeBron leads Heat to second straight title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015. Jump up ^ Mahoney, Brian ( June 15, 2014 ). `` Spurs beat Heat 104 - 87 in Game 5 to win NBA title ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015. Jump up ^ Withers, Tom ( June 16, 2015 ). `` Warriors win NBA title, down LeBron, Cavs 105 - 97 in Game 6 ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015. Jump up ^ Ziegler, P.J. ( 19 June 2016 ). `` Curse broken : Cleveland Cavaliers win NBA Championship ''. Fox News. Retrieved 20 June 2016. The Cleveland Cavaliers have broken the Cleveland curse and won the NBA Championship ; they beat the Warriors, 93 - 89. The Cavs are the first NBA team ever to win an NBA title after being down 3 - 1. 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Question: which team in the nba has won the most championships
Answer: Boston Celtics