On this day 23 years ago, Indiana Pacers history was made. At this blog, in particular, we celebrate this day in the highest regard.
The Reggie Miller era was possibly the most fun era of Indiana Pacers basketball. Reggie could score from everywhere in a time where not many guys could, and he led Indiana to countless successful seasons. One of those seasons was the 1994-95 campaign.
That team was loaded. With Larry Brown at the helm and guys like Miller, Mark Jackson, Dale Davis, Rik Smits, Derrick McKey and many others, the squad flew out to 52 wins and the number two overall seed in the Eastern Conference.
In a season in which Michael Jordan was playing baseball for a majority of it, the Pacers thought they had as good a chance as anyone at winning the title. They matched up with the Atlanta Hawks in the first round and swept them in three games.
More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds
- 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
- Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
- 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
- 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
- Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?
The second round presented a matchup between Indiana and the New York Knicks. The Knicks knocked out the Pacers the season prior in the conference finals, so Miller and the Pacers had a chip on their shoulder in this series. They wanted to win, and they wanted it bad.
Game 1 of the series was to be played in Madison Square Garden, and it brought to fruition one of the greatest moments in Indiana Pacers history. With just under 20 seconds left on the clock, the Pacers trailed 99-105 and were inbounding from the sideline by their own basket. Mark Jackson fired the ball into Reggie cutting over to the right wing.
He splashed in a three. 16.4 on the clock.
Now, it was 102-105. The Knicks, specifically Anthony Mason, were inbounding. They were looking to get the ball into Greg Anthony, a 79 percent free throw shooter. But Anthony fell down, and Mason panicked and lightly tossed it into Miller. In a heads-up play, Reggie sprung behind the three-point line and canned the game-tieing three with 13.2 on the clock. That’s six points in 5.2 seconds.
The Knicks got the ball in the hands of John Starks on the inbound, and he was fouled and sent to the free throw line.
Clunk. Missed the first.
Clunk.
He missed both! Patrick Ewing grabbed the ball as it caromed off the rim and put it back up. But he missed too! Reggie Miller snared the rebound off of the Ewing miss and was fouled.
Reggie made 90 percent of his free throws that season. He made both on this occasion. With 7.5 seconds to go, the Pacers took a 107-105 lead thanks to 8 points in 9 seconds by none other than Reggie Miller.
An instant classic.
Next: Chase Budinger, Volleyball Star?
The Pacers won that game, and ultimately the series. But just as importantly, this blog found its name. Happy 8 Points, 9 Seconds day, readers. Enjoy it.