They say that the team with the best defense will win the NBA Finals. 

We’re not sure that this is always true – but it certainly does help. The other team can’t score points if you have a rock-solid defense and they can’t win if they can’t score points. 

We will see if the Golden State Warriors or the Boston Celtics have the defense over the (probably 7) games this final. Find the best Finals and sports betting odds here.

It is hard to imagine a player like Steven Curry losing, but the Celtics have Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, on their team. 

As always, the Finals will produce some of the most exciting basketball of the season. 

As well as looking at these two teams, today, we are going to be looking at some of the best defensive squads in the NBA right now. 

#7 – Utah Jazz 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 110

You might think we have gone crazy, but with Rudy Gobert on their squad, we have to mention them. 

Yes, the defensive depth in this squad is severely lacking, but Gobert is a one-man defensive machine, who when he is on the pitch is only allowing his opponents to score 107.5 points per 100 possessions. That’s the same score as the Suns. 

This team is severely lacking when Gobert is not on the pitch, he defends like a mad man, they funnel everything through him, and he takes chances. However, he is the perfect player to start building an amazing defensive squad around. 

#6 – Los Angeles Clippers 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 109.5 

The Pacific Division is a really difficult place to be right now – considering the form that the Warriors and the Suns are in – so all credit to the Clippers for giving it their all this year. 

They were rewarded for it with third place in the division – in another division, this would have been enough to get them second place or maybe even first place. 

This team needs to work on the number of field goals and three-pointers they are allowing if they want to progress further up the table. 

#5 – Memphis Grizzlies 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 108.9 

With the year the Grizzlies have had it would be rude not to include them on this list. This year they won their division for the first time ever (they were formed in 1995) and they made it to the Conference Semifinals. They took the Warriors to six games too. 

Why? 

Because this is a team with some outstanding defensive players on it – Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Anthony Melton, and Dillon Brooks. 

We can’t wait to see what kind of upsets this team can cause next season. 

#4 – Miami Heat 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 108.4 

The Heat was stretched thin defensively during the playoffs. Their team sheet was littered with injuries that led to a constantly changing lineup that never allowed their players to settle. 

This was a whole different story during the regular season, however. 

They were averaging 7.4 steals per game and a middling 3.2 blocks. These aren’t the most spectacular numbers ever – but one thing you can say about the Heat is they are reliable and hard working. 

#3 – Phoenix Suns 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 106.8 

When it comes to the stat above – the Top 3 teams on this list are only separated by 0.6 of a point. Coming third on this list, this year, is no mean feat. 

The Suns had yet another incredible regular season, but their postseason fell a little flat this year. 

It is no secret that the Suns have a great attacking squad but we think their defensive squad deserves more praise – 8.8 average steals and 4.4 steals aren’t bad at all. 

#2 – Golden State Warriors 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 106.6 

In the last three weeks, we have heard the Warrior’s defense described as flawless, oppressive, dominating, suffocating, impenetrable, relentless, and world-class. 

This team came second in a very tough division – Pacific – despite having a better defense than the Suns. In places this season, their attacking spirit has been MIA. 

They have turned things around in the playoffs this year. They have made it to the Finals for the 6 time this century. 

This is going to be a long final as the two best defenses in the league go up against each other. 

#1 – Boston Celtics 

Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions – 106.2 

Despite what Gobert’s salty tweets would have you believe, the Celtics do really have an impressive defensive squad. 

Marcus Smart won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, but they also have Robert Williams III who has had an incredible season too. In fact, the two of them together have been nearly impossible to get past. 

Williams was missing from Game 2 of the Finals. 

Kemba Walker and Brad Wanamaker also have a lot to offer this team if any of the bigger players end up getting injured.