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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8 points in 8.9 seconds

1995 Eastern Conference semi-finals, game 1

The game was over.

Jubilant Knick fan were beginning to leave. Saddened Pacers fans were contemplating turning off their televisions.

The Madison Square Garden Bogeyman was looming over the Pacers yet again.

New York was going to have the upper hand in another series against the Pacers, even with Miller and Smits combining for 57, it wasn’t going to be enough. 18.7 seconds were left. The Knicks led 105-99. The game was over.

But when is a game really over? As fans, we like to demonstrate our precognitive prowess, proclaiming contests complete well before they actually are. We have no problem ignoring the impossible, let alone the improbable or even the possible.

Six points with that little amount of time left is tough but doable. Fans just hadn’t seen it done on such a big stage. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that no one could swing a game so quickly from defeat to triumph. People were still getting used to the spindly Californian wearing the gold number 31 on the navy blue Pacers uniform.

Then Reggie Miller stepped out of the Pacers huddle and into legend. It was a moment that transcended the actual situation. And as it turned out, the jubilant Knick fans strolling into the Manhattan streets before the final buzzer sounded, and the saddened Pacer fans watching at home were right, the game was over. Down 6, mere seconds left, Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers had the Knicks right where they wanted them.

Next. 15 greatest scorers in Pacers history. dark

Acknowledgment

Many thanks to long-time Pacers scribe Mark Montieth for lending an ear and consulting on this story. While I’m sure he and you, our dear reader, might disagree with the complete final order of this list, I assure you the final order was not organized haphazardly.

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