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) /

Finally

2000 Eastern Conference Finals, game 6

By 2000 a trip to the NBA Finals felt overdue, and if it wasn’t going to happen then, when would it? What was not known on the morning of June 2, 2000 was that Rik Smits career would be over in just a matter of weeks (Smits retired that offseason).

Also unknown, Mark Jackson and Dale Davis were in their swan song with the Pacers as well (Davis was traded to Portland for Jermaine O’Neal, Jackson would not be resigned). Antonio Davis was already gone, traded the summer previous for Jonathan Bender. Jalen Rose, Derrick McKey and Travis Best would each be gone in less than two years. It was the end of an era, the Pacers’ silver age. And while none of that was known, it felt like a Finals trip was now-or-never.

But the dawn of June 2, 2000 also felt confident. The Pacers had already taken haymakers from two of the NBA’s most threatening young teams: the Milwaukee Bucks (which we already talked about) and the Philadelphia 76ers (which we would have if this was a best 20 moments list).

The hated Knickerbockers were still a serious threat but game seven would be played in Conseco Fieldhouse (the venue’s maiden season), and Indiana had already defended home court stomping the Knicks in game 5, outscoring New York by 24 points over the games final three quarters. Game 6 felt like it was manifest destiny.

It seemed fitting that the venue would be Madison Square Garden, a place of so much woe, and so much joy. The Pacers seemed ready for this moment. Even with a strong third quarter, Indiana controlled (not comfortably, but confidently) the game.

Reggie Miller was resplendent in game 6, pouring 34 on New York, ending not only the Knicks season but their run of contention throughout the 1990s. The Pacers won by 13.

At long last, after coming so close (four Conference finals trips in the previous six years, going to game seven in three of them), it took just six to dispatch their fiercest rival to earn their first, and so far only trip to the NBA Finals.

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