8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Indiana Pacers 15 greatest playoff moments

By Jonathan Matthes

INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 28: Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers sits on the scorer's table during the game against the Boston Celtics in Game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs at Conseco Fieldhouse on April 28, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 99-76 to take a 2-1 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 28: Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers sits on the scorer's table during the game against the Boston Celtics in Game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs at Conseco Fieldhouse on April 28, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 99-76 to take a 2-1 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Flips it to the big fella….

1995 Eastern Conference finals, game 4

Another slide, another year, another moment between the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. Like the Bogdanovic story, we’ve written about this one before.

The 1995 Conference Finals was a rematch of the 1994 first round matchup between the two teams.

The Magic led the series 2-1 entering game four at Market Square, making a game four crucial for the Pacers. This game was a classic, a battle culminating in one of the most dramatic finishes in playoff history: four successive lead-changing shots traded between the two in the game’s final half minute. First Brian Shaw from Orlando, then Miller, then Penny Hardaway and the final from the Dunking Dutchman, Rik Smits.

Smits was an interesting figure in Pacers history, and unquestionably one of the greatest to don Indiana blue and gold.

His career started very promisingly, then somewhat stalled and refused to take off for several seasons. Fans grew antsy with the quiet center. Then they were furious that he wasn’t traded before the 1993-94 season and Detlef Schrempf was. But Smits strong 1994 campaign began to ease fans back into his favor, with the piece de resistance coming here with fractions of a second left when the Pacers desperately needed a prayer.

The prayer was answered by the big fella, who pump-faked Tree Rollins out of the way, and squeaked off the shot that produced one of the greatest roars in franchise history.

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