1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season

1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season
Conference Champions
Division Champions
Rik Smits' final season
Head coach Larry Bird
General manager Donnie Walsh
Arena Conseco Fieldhouse
Results
Record 56–26 (.683)
Place Division: 1st
Conference: 1st
Playoff finish Lost to Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Finals (2-4)

Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com

Local media
Television Fox Sports Net Midwest, WTTV
Radio WIBC

The 1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season was Indiana's 24th season in the NBA and 33rd season as a franchise.[1] It was their first season playing at the Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers finished first in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, highlighted by a franchise-best 25 game win streak at home, which was worthy of the Eastern Conference first seed in the playoffs, guaranteed home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time in franchise history and an all-time franchise best win-loss record. Jalen Rose averaged 18.2 points per game and was named Most Improved Player of the Year. Reggie Miller and Dale Davis were both selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland.

In the playoffs, the Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the first round, and Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the semifinals before preceding to defeat their archrivals the New York Knicks in a tough, hard fought six game series in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

Following the season, Larry Bird resigned as head coach, Davis was traded to the Porland Trail Blazers, Chris Mullin was released and later re-signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson signed with the Toronto Raptors, and Rik Smits retired after playing 12 years in the NBA with the Pacers.

Offseason

NBA Draft

Main article: 1999 NBA Draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 26 Vonteego Cummings PG  United States Pittsburgh

|}[2]

Roster

Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From
F 24 United States Bender, Jonathan 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 202 lb (92 kg) Picayune Memorial HS (MS)
G 4 United States Best, Travis 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 182 lb (83 kg) Georgia Tech
F 44 United States Croshere, Austin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Providence
F/C 32 United States Davis, Dale 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Clemson
F/C 10 United States Foster, Jeff 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 236 lb (107 kg) Texas State
F 3 United States Harrington, Al 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) St. Patrick HS (NJ)
G 13 United States Jackson, Mark 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) St. John's
F 9 United States McKey, Derrick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Alabama
G/F 31 United States Miller, Reggie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) UCLA
G/F 17 United States Mullin, Chris 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) St. John's
F/C 14 United States Perkins, Sam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) North Carolina
G/F 5 United States Rose, Jalen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Michigan
C 45 Netherlands Smits, Rik 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Marist
C 55 Croatia Tabak, Žan 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Croatia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster • Transactions
Last transaction: 1999-10-31

Depth chart

Pos. Starter Bench Reserve Inactive
C Rik Smits Sam Perkins Žan Tabak Jeff Foster
PF Dale Davis Austin Croshere Jonathan Bender Al Harrington
SF Jalen Rose Derrick McKey
SG Reggie Miller Chris Mullin\
PG Mark Jackson Travis Best

Regular season

The Pacers began a new era by moving into Conseco Fieldhouse after 25 years at Market Square Arena. They would start the season with a 7-7 record but finished with a 56-26 record, good enough to win their 2nd straight division title. The Pacers even won 25 straight games at their new arena.[3]

Standings

Central Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Indiana Pacers 56 26 .683 – 36–5 20–21 20–8
x-Charlotte Hornets 49 33 .598 7 30–11 19–22 20–8
x-Toronto Raptors 45 37 .549 11 26–15 19–22 16–12
x-Detroit Pistons 42 40 .512 14 27–14 15–26 16–12
x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 14 23–18 19–22 16–12
Cleveland Cavaliers 32 50 .390 24 22–19 10–31 8–20
Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 28 21–20 7–34 11–17
Chicago Bulls 17 65 .207 39 12–29 5–36 5–23
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Indiana Pacers 56 26 .683 –
2 y-Miami Heat 52 30 .634 4
3 x-New York Knicks 50 32 .610 6
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 49 33 .598 7
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers 49 33 .598 7
6 x-Toronto Raptors 45 37 .549 11
7 x-Detroit Pistons 42 40 .512 14
8 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 14
9 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 15
10 Boston Celtics 35 47 .427 21
11 Cleveland Cavaliers 32 50 .390 24
12 New Jersey Nets 31 51 .378 25
13 Washington Wizards 29 53 .354 27
14 Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 28
15 Chicago Bulls 17 65 .207 39
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

[4]

Record vs. opponents

1999-2000 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta — 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 3–1 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Boston 3–1 — 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 3–1 3–1 — 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–0
Chicago 1–3 2–2 0–4 — 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2
Cleveland 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 — 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 — 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 3–1 1–1
Denver 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 — 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1
Detroit 3–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 — 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 3–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 — 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Indiana 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 — 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 — 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 — 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 — 2–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 4–0
Milwaukee 4–0 2–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 — 0–2 1–3 0–4 4–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 0–4 0–2 2–0 — 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 — 1–3 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
New York 1–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 4–0 1–1 3–1 — 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2
Orlando 3–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–3 — 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia 4–0 3–1 1–3 4–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 3–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 — 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 1–1 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 — 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 2–0
Portland 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 — 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 0–4 — 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 — 2–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 — 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0
Toronto 2–2 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 — 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 — 3–1 2–0
Vancouver 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–3 — 1–1
Washington 3–1 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Playoffs

In the first round of the playoffs, the top-seeded Pacers went to five games against the Milwaukee Bucks. In the second round, the Pacers would beat the Philadelphia 76ers in 6 games. This would lead to a rematch with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers took Game 5 at home to take a 3-2 series lead. The Pacers would clinch the series in 6 games as Reggie Miller scored 34 points. The Pacers reached the NBA Finals but found themselves outmatched by a Los Angeles Lakers team that had Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The Lakers won the NBA Finals in 6 games. Following the season, Head Coach Larry Bird would step down, citing the daily grind of coaching.[3]

East First Round

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Eastern Conference First Round (Indiana won 3-2)

May 4
Milwaukee Bucks 95, Indiana Pacers 96
Indiana wins series, 3-2

East Semifinals

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Philadelphia 76ers Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Indiana won 4-0)

May 19
Indiana Pacers 106, Philadelphia 76ers 90
Indiana wins series, 4-2

Eastern Conference Finals

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) New York Knicks Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Eastern Conference Finals (New York won 4-2)

June 2
Indiana Pacers 93, New York Knicks 80
Indiana wins series, 4-2

NBA Finals

Summary

The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

Team Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4* Game 5 Game 6 Wins
Los Angeles (West) 10411191120871164
Indiana (East) 871041001181201112

[5]

Aspects

Although the Lakers were one of the more talented teams in the NBA the previous year, they failed to win a single game against the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 NBA playoffs. Twenty-four days after being swept by the eventual league champion, the Lakers signed Phil Jackson as head coach. Jackson, famous for coaching Michael Jordan and the six-time champion Chicago Bulls, would build his triangle offense around Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. General Manager Jerry West surrounded O'Neal and Bryant with effective role players such as Glen Rice, Ron Harper (who had experience with Jackson's triangle offense as part of the '96–'98 Bulls),[6] and A. C. Green (member of the last two Lakers championship teams).[7]

Along with these starters, the Lakers also possessed a strong bench. Robert Horry not only had championship experience with the Houston Rockets but also was a threat on the perimeter and a defensive star.[8] Derek Fisher was a defensively minded point-guard with the ability to shoot well from long range. Rick Fox, acquired after being released by the Boston Celtics,[9] was the Lakers' sixth man. With a healthy O'Neal, the Lakers dominated the regular season, with winning streaks of 11, 16, and 19 en route to a 67–15 record, tying the 1992 Chicago Bulls and 1986 Boston Celtics as the fifth best record in NBA regular season history.

Although many expected the Lakers to reach the Finals, the road would be a rocky one. In the first round, the Lakers won the first two games against the Sacramento Kings, only to drop the next two games in Sacramento.[10] The Lakers then defeated Sacramento in Game 5, 113–86, to face the Phoenix Suns in the conference semifinals.[11] The Lakers clobbered the Suns, winning the series 4–1 (with their only loss coming in Game 4).[12][13] In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, Rasheed Wallace earned two technical fouls and was ejected; the Lakers took advantage of Wallace's absence and secured victory.[14] The Trail Blazers stormed back in the next game, giving the Lakers their worst home loss of the season in a 106–77 shellacking.[15] This setback did not affect Los Angeles, as they assembled a 3–1 series lead by winning the next two games in Portland.[16] The Lakers underestimated the Trail Blazers, however. Led by former Jackson linchpin Scottie Pippen, Portland won back-to-back elimination games and forced a series-deciding Game 7.[17][18] Amid several controversial foul calls by referee Dick Bavetta against members of the Trail Blazers,[19] Portland relinquished a 75–60 fourth quarter lead.[20] Rallying back with a 25–4 run, the Lakers won the game and secured a berth in the NBA Finals.[21][22]

In the 1997–1998 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeated the Pacers, 4 games to 3, in the Eastern Conference Finals.[23] The 1998–1999 NBA season began with a lockout but saw Indiana return to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they fell to the New York Knicks.[24] The 1999–2000 NBA season brought several major changes to the Pacers. It was their first season at Conseco Fieldhouse,[25] as well as their first since 1993 without center Antonio Davis, who was traded for the rights to the No. 5 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.[26] Jalen Rose replaced Chris Mullin in the starting line up, winning the NBA Most Improved Player award,[27] while Austin Croshere replaced him as the sixth man.[28]

The Pacers started the season 7–7 but eventually finished with an Eastern Conference best 56–26 record, including a franchise-best 25 game win streak at home.[29] The Pacers, like the Lakers, struggled in the playoffs. They needed a clutch Travis Best three-pointer to dispatch the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.[30] Indiana faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round and took the series in six games, earning a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.[31] The Pacers would face their rival Knicks,[32] winning a memorable six game series in a reversal of fortunes from years past.[33] With the victory, Indiana advanced to the first NBA Finals in franchise history, becoming the second former ABA team to do so.

Game 1

Sunday, June 7, 2000, 9:00 at the Staples Center.

The Lakers dominated from the start. The Lakers shot 15-for-20 (75%) in the first period while the Pacers shot only 7-for-20 (35%). Miller would miss all of his shots in the first quarter to give the Lakers a 15-point lead. Croshere came off the bench to keep the Pacers alive in the 2nd quarter, scoring 9 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in the quarter. Although the Pacers attempted a comeback in the 2nd quarter, they were still down by 12. In the 3rd quarter, it would be Jackson who led the Pacers to a comeback, cutting the Lakers lead by 2. Miller also hit his first field goal in the 3rd quarter, though it would be his last. The Lakers handled the Pacers in the final quarter, with a 13–2 run winning by 17 points. O'Neal scored 43 points and grabbed 19 rebounds.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Indiana 182528 1687
Los Angeles 332222 27104

Game 2

Tuesday, June 9, 2000, 9:00 at the Staples Center.

Los Angeles and Indiana were evenly matched for the first quarter, both scoring 28. However, Los Angeles suffered a major setback when Kobe Bryant left the game in the 2nd quarter due to a sprained ankle and did not return. Jalen Rose later admitted that he intentionally stuck out his foot when Kobe shot a jumpshot in order to trip him when he landed.[34][35][36] Ron Harper went in for Bryant and scored 21 points for the game. Desperate to try to gain the lead, Larry Bird resorted to the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy. Shaq shot 39 free throws, making only 18, an NBA record for most free throws attempted. Despite this low percentage, Shaq made 9 of 16 in the 4th quarter to keep a Lakers lead. The Pacers cut the lead to 99–96 and were looking to foul Shaq, but when Shaq got the ball he passed to Robert Horry who converted not only the layup, but the foul shot as well giving them a 102–96 lead en route to a 111–104 Lakers victory.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Indiana 282120 35104
Los Angeles 282421 38111

Game 3

Thursday, June 11, 2000, 7:30 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Taking advantage of Kobe Bryant's ankle injury, Indiana restored a semblance of parity to the proceedings. Kobe's absence was felt as the Pacers had an 11–2 run in the first quarter to take an 8-point lead. Austin Croshere once again had another huge 2nd quarter, scoring 8 points as the Pacers shot 61% from the field. The Lakers tried to make a run to get back into the game, but upon doings so, Indiana answered with 12 straight points and led by 17. The Lakers were desperate and attempted another run to get within 3 points, but Reggie Miller nailed all his free throws at the end of the game to give Indiana a 9-point win.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 152722 2591
Indiana 233026 21100

Game 4

Wednesday, June 14, 2000, 9:00 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Pacers took a quick 9–2 lead due to Rik Smits hitting his first four shots. Kobe Bryant attempted to play with his sore ankle but only managed to score 6 points in the first half. Even though Bryant and O'Neal were in foul trouble in the first half (each picking up his third with 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter), Indiana could not take advantage and did not extend their lead. This would be a problem as Kobe Bryant scored 10 points and the Lakers took a 62–60 lead due to a Glen Rice three-pointer. The game remained close going into the fourth quarter, when O'Neal and Reggie Miller scored 14 and 13 points respectively, sending the game into overtime. Midway through overtime, O'Neal committed his sixth foul but 21-year-old Bryant delivered three clutch shots, as the Lakers were able to overcome back-up center John Salley's inability to effectively defend Smits. Smits and Miller scored all 14 of Indiana's OT points, but it was not enough to overcome as Miller missed a last-second three-pointer, and L.A. was able to pull one out in Indianapolis.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. OT Total
Los Angeles 232829 2416120
Indiana 332123 2714118

Game 5

Sunday, June 16, 2000, 9:00 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Reggie Miller and the Pacers dominated the game from the start in what would be Larry Bird's last game as a coach in the state of Indiana. Reggie Miller came out and made 5 straight shots including a 4-point play. The Pacers hit their first 6 three point shots in the game. The Pacers would have a 20-point lead in the 2nd quarter, and eventually won by 33 – it was the worst Lakers NBA Finals loss since the 148–114 loss to Boston in the 1985 NBA Finals, known as the "Memorial Day Massacre."

With their loss in Game 5, the Lakers record in close-out games dropped to 3–6 in the 2000 NBA Playoffs (the other losses coming in Games 3 and 4 in the first round against Sacramento, Game 4 in the series against Phoenix, and Games 5 and 6 versus Portland). As a result, the series returned to California.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 281722 2087
Indiana 392522 34120

Game 6

Monday, June 19, 2000, 9:00 at the Staples Center.

After the two teams traded blows in the first quarter, Mark Jackson concluded the period with a turn-around half-court shot at the buzzer to give the Pacers a 26–24 advantage. They would not relinquish their lead until the fourth quarter. In the first half, the Pacers would lead by as many as twelve points. However, the Lakers chipped away and entered intermission trailing 56–53. Indiana, however, added two more points to their lead, and entered the final period in a position to force a decisive seventh game.

In the fourth quarter, the momentum shifted. The Lakers got four timely three-pointers from Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, and Rick Fox. The turning point occurred on a play where Brian Shaw stole the ball from Jalen Rose, leading to a fast break where Shaquille O'Neal hit an off-balance shot to give the Lakers the lead. The Pacers never led after that point.

The Lakers would build a seven-point lead, but the Pacers fought back to tie the score at 103. After a timeout, the Lakers scored six unanswered points to regain control. The Pacers made one final valiant effort, but it fell short and the Lakers clinched their first championship in twelve years. Shaquille O'Neal led all scorers with 41 points and also pulled down 12 rebounds. He was awarded the Finals MVP.[37]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Indiana 263028 27111
Los Angeles 242926 37116

Awards, records, and honors

References

  1. ↑ 1999–2000 Indiana Pacers
  2. ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/draft/draftboard/nba_teams/ind/
  3. 1 2 Indiana Pacers (1967-Present)
  4. ↑ 1999-00 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
  5. ↑ "2000 NBA Playoffs Summary | Basketball-Reference.com". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  6. ↑ Dawidoff, Nicholas (2015-06-23). "The Obtuse Triangle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  7. ↑ "NBA Ironman Proud to Be a Virgin Until 38". ABC News. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  8. ↑ "Robert Horry is a Hall of Famer. This should not even be a debate.". The Dream Shake. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  9. ↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (1997-08-27). "Fox Hunt Finally Over for Lakers". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  10. ↑ Abrams, Jonathan (2014-05-07). "All the Kings' Men". Grantland. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  11. ↑ "2000 NBA Western Conference First Round | Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  12. ↑ "Suns torch Lakers' broom". The Baltimore Sun. 2000-05-15. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  13. ↑ "2000 NBA Western Conference Semifinals | Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  14. ↑ Spousta, Tom (2000-05-23). "Blazers Turn the Tables in Game 2". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  15. ↑ "Blazers tied in West". St. Petersburg Times. 2000-05-23. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  16. ↑ "Lakers have Blazers singing a different tune". The Baltimore Sun. 2000-05-31. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  17. ↑ Smith, Sam (2000-06-01). "Phil Vs. Scottie As Entertaining As Blazers Vs. Lakers". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  18. ↑ "2000 NBA Western Conference Finals | Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  19. ↑ Craggs, Tommy (2009-10-28). "Excerpts From The Book The NBA Doesn't Want You To Read". Deadspin. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  20. ↑ "Lakers Rally Past Blazers". CBS News. 2000-06-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  21. ↑ "Top 10 Lakers playoffs moments: Kobe-to-Shaq cements Game 7 comeback against Portland". ESPN.com. 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  22. ↑ "All Things Lakers - 1999-2000 Season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  23. ↑ "Bulls' run not done Chicago rebounds to knock out Pacers in Game 7, 88-83". The Baltimore Sun. 1998-06-01. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  24. ↑ "1998–99 Indiana Pacers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  25. ↑ Benbow, Dana (2014-11-06). "15 years ago: Pacers' first game in Conseco Fieldhouse". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  26. ↑ "Pacers, Raptors Finalize Trade". CBS News. 1999-08-01. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  27. ↑ "'Most Improved' Rose Could Improve Bulls". The Chicago Tribune. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  28. ↑ Morwick, Rick (2011-01-06). "Former Pacers player becoming at ease in front of camera". Daily Journal. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  29. ↑ "1999-00 Indiana Pacers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  30. ↑ Smith, Sam (2000-05-05). "Best's 3, Miller's 41 Rescue Pacers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  31. ↑ "2000 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals | Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  32. ↑ Bolch, Ben (2013-05-04). "NBA playoffs preview: Knicks vs. Pacers". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  33. ↑ "2000 NBA Eastern Conference Finals | Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  34. ↑ Bresnahan, Mike (March 14, 2013). "Kobe Bryant sprains left ankle in Lakers loss, out indefinitely". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013.
  35. ↑ Ryan, Chris (March 14, 2013). "Jalen Rose on That Time He Intentionally Tried to Injure Kobe Bryant". grantland.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013.
  36. ↑ Grantland, Channel. "Jalen Rose on Kobe Bryant and Karma". Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  37. ↑ Babb, Kent (2015-06-13). "That time when Shaquille O'Neal turned in the most dominant NBA Finals performance ever". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
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