New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers, 2000 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
Source: Manny Millan / Getty
A Look Back: Pacers vs Knicks Clash in the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals
The 2000 Eastern Conference Finals was more than just another playoff series for the Indiana Pacers.
Facing a familiar foe, the New York Knicks, the stage was set for a dramatic and physical battle between two teams with no love lost between them.
The series was an intense showdown, with the Pacers determined to overcome their previous playoff shortcomings against New York.
After falling to the Knicks in critical series during the 1990s, the Pacers entered this matchup with a chip on their shoulder, led by Reggie Miller, the heart and soul of the team.
Miller had built a reputation for delivering in the clutch, particularly against New York, and he didn’t disappoint.
Game 6 in New York became the defining moment of the series.
With the Pacers leading 3-2, Miller once again proved his brilliance on the biggest stage.
His 34 points, including his usual mix of dramatic three-pointers and cold-blooded free throws, silenced a hostile Madison Square Garden crowd.
It wasn’t just Miller who shined, though.
Jalen Rose stepped up as the perfect complement, chipping in 18 points and providing timely scoring.
The veteran presence of Mark Jackson and the toughness of Dale Davis and Rik Smits made sure the Pacers always had control of the tempo.
Defensively, the Pacers were locked in, forcing turnovers and limiting the Knicks’ star duo of Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston.
Every possession felt like a war, but Indiana’s resilience and poise proved to be the difference.
The 93-80 victory sealed the series, giving the Pacers their first Eastern Conference Championship and the long-awaited validation as a perennial contender.
Here is what Austin Croshere had to say about winning the Eastern Confernece Finals against the Knicks:
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