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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dynasty cemented

1973 ABA Finals, game 7

While not as loaded as the year previous, McGinnis had successfully taken over as Indiana’s best player and the Pacers won four more games than the 1972 squad.

A bigger claim was at hand for the 1973 team, the third title in four years.

The opening series of the playoffs against the Denver Rockets wasn’t much of a contest, the Utah Stars were tougher in the Western Finals but the Pacers took them down in six. Indiana’s hated rival the Kentucky Colonels were waiting in the ABA Championship.

Kentucky was no pushover. The Colonels had former Pacer marksman Rick Mount, and three future hall-of-famers: Artis Gilmore, Dan Issel and Louie Dampier.

The series was tight each game. Indiana won game one on the road by 4 points, Kentucky took the next two by 12 and 4, Indiana tied the series with a 4-point win at home, then took what felt like a commanding lead in the series by knocking off the Colonels 89-86 in Louisville.

Returning home, before a packed Coliseum, the Pacers laid an egg and the desperate Colonels forced a seventh game with a 109-93 thumping. With a dynasty on the line, the series headed to Louisville for game seven.

The Pacers started strong and led 24-18 after one, Kentucky found back in the second sending the game to halftime with Indiana leading 42-41. Outscoring the Colonels by 13 in the third, the Pacers thought they had the game in hand, but the Colonels roared back in the fourth. 27 from McGinnis, plus the Pacers limiting Gilmore and Issel to 13 of 30 shooting was too much for Kentucky to overcome. With an 88-81 victory in hand, the Pacers claimed their third title, cementing their ABA dynasty.

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