The upcoming Knicks-Pacers sequence will mark the fourth time the rivals have met within the Japanese Convention finals.
Right here’s a glance again on the first three:
1994
Knicks win sequence, 4-3
This was a traditional, and the beginning of an intense rivalry between two of the perfect groups within the Japanese Convention over the subsequent a number of years — together with the Reggie Miller choke recreation within the 1995 convention semis.
The Knicks had been the favorites, with Michael Jordan off enjoying minor league baseball, whereas the Pacers had been coming off an upset of the top-seeded Hawks within the convention semifinals.
The sequence was even at two wins apiece when Miller flipped the sequence on its head, scoring 39 in a Recreation 5 shocker on the Backyard that included him speaking trash with courtside Knicks superfan Spike Lee.
The Knicks responded by profitable on the street and forcing a Recreation 7. Patrick Ewing introduced them house with an epic 24-point, 22-rebound, seven-assist, five-block efficiency to ship the Knicks to the NBA Finals for the primary time since 1973. They might lose to the Rockets in a heartbreaking seven-game sequence.
1999
Knicks win sequence, 4-2
The Knicks entered the sequence because the determined underdog because the No. 8 seed coming off back-to-back upsets of the top-seeded Warmth and No. 4 Hawks. However they despatched a right away message by stealing Recreation 1 in Indiana to assert home-court benefit.
Nevertheless, Ewing was misplaced for the remainder of the postseason in Recreation 2, when he suffered a partial tear of his Achilles tendon. In Recreation 3, with the sequence even at one, Larry Johnson hit one of the vital iconic pictures in Knicks postseason historical past, a 3-pointer whereas getting fouled by Antonio Davis.
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The four-point play gave the Knicks a one-point lead with 5.7 seconds left, sending them to a dramatic victory. They held a 3-2 lead going again to the Backyard for Recreation 6, when the harm bug bit them once more.
Johnson suffered a sprained knee, however Allan Houston took over down the stretch, scoring 32 factors within the series-clinching victory. Earlier than Friday night time’s rout of the Celtics, this was the final time the Knicks had closed out a sequence at house.
The Knicks would lose in 5 video games to the Spurs within the finals.
2000
Pacers win sequence, 4-2
The 56-win Pacers had been favored to achieve the NBA Finals for the primary time in franchise historical past, and obtained there by ousting the Knicks in six video games.
The house staff gained the primary 5 video games of the sequence, resulting in Indiana’s clincher at MSG.
Miller performed the Backyard villain once more, pouring in 34 factors — together with 17 within the remaining quarter. This marked Ewing’s remaining recreation as a Knick.
He was dealt to the Seattle SuperSonics within the offseason. The Pacers misplaced to the Lakers in six video games within the finals.
