Biggest upsets in NBA Finals history

Toronto Raptors over Golden State Warriors, 2019 | Warriors -270, Raptors +230

Going for their third straight NBA title, the Warriors were significant favorites against the Raptors, even after Kevin Durant suffered a calf injury in the second round of the playoffs. The public underestimated the 58-24 Raptors, especially the effects of a midseason trade that brought in center Marc Gasol. Kawhi Leonard was awesome, and Fred VanVleet surprised everyone by making 16 three-pointers in the NBA Finals.

Injuries were also a factor. Durant returned in Game 5, only to depart after 12 minutes with a torn Achilles. Klay Thompson missed Game 3 with a hamstring injury, then tore his ACL in the third quarter of Game 6, a game where he'd already scored 30 points. The Raptors certainly earned that title, but the oddsmakers couldn't have anticipated the medical carnage.

Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors, 2016 | Warriors -220, Cavaliers +180

The Golden State Warriors won an NBA-record 73 games but had to overcome a 3-1 deficit to get past the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. The comeback was reversed in the finals, when the Warriors took a 3-1 lead, Draymond Green got suspended for Game 5, and LeBron James and Kyrie Irving played out of their minds to win three straight games and bring Cleveland its first title.

Golden State Warriors over Washington Bullets, 1975 | Bullets -200, Warriors +170

The 1975 Wizards featured Hall of Famers Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes, along with All-Star guard Phil Chenier. They won 60 games in the regular season and were big favorites over the 48-34 Warriors, who'd missed the playoffs the previous season. They'd also traded away Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond in the offseason and lost their second-leading scorer, Cazzie Russell, in free agency.

But the Warriors triumphed in one of the closest finals sweeps you'll ever see. Golden State won two games by a single point and outscored the Bullets by only 16 points for the series. They got huge performances from Rick Barry, as well as rookies Jamaal Wilkes and Phil Smith. Despite facing a Hall of Fame frontcourt, the Warriors won the rebounding battle. In the deciding Game 4, Warriors coach Al Attles got ejected for fighting after a Wizards player punched Barry — still the only time that's happened in NBA Finals history.

Dallas Mavericks over Miami Heat, 2011 | Heat -175, Mavericks +155

In the first year of the "Heatles" team of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat were significant favorites in the NBA Finals, if not overwhelming ones. When the Heat had a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 2, leading 1-0 already, the series looked over. But the Mavericks rallied to win, then took the final three games to defeat Miami's superteam.

Why is this series relevant? Because Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was leading the Mavericks. He overcame the Heat's superstar talent with unconventional moves like putting 5-foot-10 J.J. Barea on James and mixing and matching his veteran bench players. Mavericks ranging from Brian Cardinal to the nearly retired Peja Stojakovic all played as the Mavericks gave 11 different players significant minutes.

He'll need to use similar creativity and depth against the juggernaut Thunder.